Page 9 of Bleed

He stands and straightens his suit, then sits down beside me again, close enough that I can smell his expensive cologne.

“So, business concluded?” I ask tentatively, trying to keep things professional even though I’m still a little flustered from the way he just worked me over.

He smiles, flashing a hint of fang. “Actually, I was hoping to chat for a few minutes. If you’re not in a rush.”

I hesitate. I’m never in a rush to leave a penthouse, but there’s something about the way he says it that instantly puts me on edge, the little hairs on the back of my neck prickling in warning.

“Sure,” I breathe, settling back against the couch. He’s paid for a half hour of my time, after all, so he’s technically still got five minutes to burn. “What’s on your mind?”

He studies me for a long moment, eyes bright with intrigue. “I hear that you’re acquainted with Taylor Holt.”

My heart stutters in my chest.

Not only is it alarming that he knows about my connection to Taylor, but my bestie has secrets. Big ones. The kind I’ve sworn to take to my grave.

“I am,” I say slowly.

“I’m interested in learning more about her,” he murmurs, swiping a hand over his chin. “Perhaps you can shed some light on how she came to occupy her current position at the king’s side?”

“Why do you ask?” I reply, keeping my tone light.

He smiles, but there’s nothing friendly about it now. “There are certain rumors circulating in my circles. About the king’s sudden and unusual attachment to a human.”

“So not even immortals are above gossip,” I snort, maintaining my composure even as my pulse picks up speed. “Good to know.”

His eyes narrow on me, his polite mask slipping. “Do not mock my kind.”

“Sorry,” I quickly amend, picking up on the abrupt shift in his demeanor. There’s a weird tension in the air now– something heavy and predatory, like the moment just before a dog bites. “I should probably go,” I mumble, pushing to my feet.

His hand darts out lightning fast, latching onto my wrist and yanking me back down. “Are you sure you don’t know something?” he presses, his gaze boring into mine.

My heart thuds against my ribs as I try to pull my hand back, but his grip is unyielding. “Taylor was a donor through Bite, same as me,” I grit out through clenched teeth. “She and James hit it off and fell in love. That’s all there is to it.”

“Love,” he scoffs, his fingers tightening around my wrist to the point of pain. “Vampires do not love.”

“You’re hurting me,” I whisper.

Vincent releases me instantly, his polite mask snapping back into place. “My apologies, Tiffany,” he drawls, his lips curving into a practiced smile. “Old habits.”

I draw my wrist in against my chest, scowling at him as I rub out the sting.

“Come,” he huffs, rising to stand. “I’ll walk you out.”

He offers me a hand, but I ignore it, getting to my feet on my own and quickly stepping past him. He follows me all the way to the elevator, looming behind me as I jab the call button to summon it.

Luckily, it arrives in a matter of seconds.

“Thank you again for your company,” he says as I step inside, voice smooth as silk. “I hope to see you again soon.”

I flash him a brittle smile, holding my breath as the steel doors glide closed between us.

All the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh once the elevator starts to descend. My mind’s racing, my pulse galloping, and when I reach the ground floor, I can’t get out of the damn building fast enough.

The black car is still waiting at the curb, the headlights flicking on the moment I emerge. I slide into the back seat, and the driver’s eyes dart up to the rearview mirror, concern painted all over his soft boy face.

“You okay?”

“Peachy,” I lie, leaning back against the leather and staring up at the condo building as the car pulls away. My pulse doesn’t level out until we’re five blocks away, and even then, I’m still jittery. Not with post-orgasm bliss, but the hair-raising sense that I just got way too close to something dangerous.