Page 125 of A Wild Darkness

Wendy glances around the room before leaning in close. “Are you hunting?”

“Maybe.”

“Once again, your girlfriend is missing.” She brings her martini to her cherry-red lips. “Are things not going well in serial killer paradise?”

“You could say that.” I try to sound convincing, since that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

“So, Seb, what are you doing tonight, if not hunting?” she asks, her voice lower this time.

“I am.” But what she doesn’t know is she’s the prey. “You?”

Wendy smiles. “Yes. Since I somehow passed out on our last night in Dupara, I need to get my fill.” Then she arches her brow. “What happened to you that night? When I woke up, you weren’t there.”

“Annabel came back early so I left. Went back to my room and passed out, too. Too much wine, I guess,” I offer casually. “Wish we could have headed out together, though.”

She pauses for a beat, then her eyes sparkle with malice. I wish I could put a bullet between her eyes right here, because I can only imagine how many innocent men she’s charmed with her sleazy affections.

“How about we go to my room for a little pregame and then we hit the town together?” Wendy wraps her tongue around the top of the straw. “We have an entire evening of fun to make up for.”

“Slut.” I hear Stevie’s voice in my ear, and I have to do everything in my power not to laugh.

“That sounds great.” I give her a smile, flashing my white teeth. I have to play the part, whether Stevie likes it or not.

Wendy stands from her chair, walks around to mine, and grabs my hand. Leading me from the lounge, she directs us toward the elevators. We wait in silence as the chimes go off and the door opens.

“What floor?” I ask when we step inside.

“Fourth.”

I press the button just as Christian confirms he heard her. “Copy that.”

The moment the doors slide closed, Wendy shoves me into the mirrored walls, her body on top of mine. She smells like a prostitute drenched in cheap perfume.

“I knew we had a connection ever since we made eye contact across the table in the barrel room in wine country.” Her nose touches mine. “It was only a matter of time before you came to me.”

“Oh, hell no,” Stevie reacts in my ear.

I move my head to the side, but I keep my hands on her waist because I can’t push her off yet. “I knew it, too.”

“Rrrr.” Wendy’s eyes dart down to my lips, then back up.

She quickly leans in to kiss me, but I dodge her attempt, ducking to the side. “Wait.” I clutch her hips, holding her back. “Not here.”

“Bashful?” she taunts, her hands gripping my jacket collar.

Thankfully, the metal doors swing open before Wendy tries again.

Without wasting any time, Wendy is dragging me down to her hotel room. She pulls me by my collar all the way down to the end and stops in front of the last door in the corner.

And what luck, a serial killer who wants privacy?

“Room 425 is a smart choice,” I tell her.

She glances over her shoulder. “More privacy.”

Works out perfectly for me.

Wendy opens the door, releasing the source of her pungent perfume. “So…” She sashays over to one of the queen beds, sits on the edge with her arms spread flat behind her. “Are we fucking or what?”