After Dark (Between the Veils Series, Book One) (2 page)

“Consider yourself lucky. Another few minutes and your body would have been covered in those things. You wouldn’t have been able to leave if that had happened.”

She forced herself to swallow past the lump in her throat. “But I don’t understand…what the hell was that?”

“That, my dear, was the king bastard of demons…a nasty bugger who lures innocent virgins to his lair so he can drain them of their life force. They say once he has enough souls, he’ll walk the Earth and inflict pain and suffering on all of us.”

Temperance snorted at him. “Nice try, but there’s just a few holes in your story. There’re no such things as demons. You said that yourself in one of your more ‘dramatic’ interviews. That was nothing more than a ghost…albeit an evil one.”

“Guess I can’t argue with myself.” He nodded at her, though his eyes didn’t convey the confidence in his voice. “Any other flaws?”

She smiled at him. “I’m hardly a virgin.”

His eyes lit up with a fire that made her knees go weak and her flesh burn, in a way far more alluring than the ghost had caused.

He gave her body a long, slow sweep, ending it with a wink. “You don’t say…good to know.”

Temperance stared at him, wondering when he’d gone from asshole to charming hero without her even realizing it. And since when did a look from Avery Smith make her feel hot and lightheaded, as if all her blood had left her brain and pooled in her groin? She was more than aware of his feelings for her, or should she say lack of. That was another reason she’d accepted his invitation. No hidden motivation. He saw her as a professional—period. Besides, she wasn’t his type—her breast size didn’t equal her IQ and she didn’t care about his money. So why was his lingering gaze making the temperature in the car rise until she was tempted to roll down the window?

She groaned and leaned back in the seat. If this was any indication of the remaining seven days, she was definitely going to be in for one hell of a long week.

Chapter Two

Avery pulled into the hotel parking lot, shoving his car into first gear as he yanked on the parking brake. He didn’t miss the loud pounding of his heart in his head or the way his hands trembled on the stick. He could still hear the bellowing voice of the demon and feel the searing heat it had directed at Temperance. God, if he hadn’t learned of her plans and headed for the cemetery…

He glanced over at her, watching as she stared out the window. She seemed lost in thought, her deep blue eyes reflected in the glass. He’d never realized how beautiful she was, her unruly hair hanging in a tangle of curls around her face, her pale skin hued with a deep pink blush. Her worn sweater hugged her curves, accentuating pert breasts and a lean waist. And her jeans—fuck, they skimmed over an ass better than any fantasy he’d ever imagined. She wasn’t skinny, but firm and athletic, with a strength that had surprised him. Being several inches taller than her, he’d expected to have to drag her behind him when they’d run down the aisle between the tombs, but she’d matched his every step, nearly beating him to his car.

Avery sighed and ran a shaky hand through his hair. He wasn’t quite prepared for the sudden shift of his feelings toward her, not that he had any real idea how he felt. All he knew was that he wasn’t ready to let her out of his sight just yet.

Temperance turned toward the windshield, startling when she realized they’d stopped. She looked over at him, those perfectly sculpted lips pursed into the cutest damn pout he’d ever seen. They were all pink and shiny, and he wanted nothing more than to sink his hand into her tousled hair and taste that smooth skin with his tongue. His cock jerked in his pants, and he cursed the cruel humor in the situation. He’d invited her because of her skill. Because she was the one investigator who showed true talent and a natural chemistry for uncovering the paranormal. He’d had absolutely no attraction to her, until she’d shown up on his doorstep, bag hooked over her shoulders, a hesitant smile on her face. He knew what she thought of him…that he was nothing more than a rich, arrogant prick who’d used his money to further his career. But the fact she’d still agreed to be part of the team had told him everything he’d needed to know about her. She was here to hone her craft, plain and simple. And he’d been more than happy to keep it that way…at least that’s what he’d thought.

Then she’d smiled, and his damn heart had done a somersault in his chest. He’d found himself staring at her. Watching her work, hell, watching her eat. Every movement, every small gesture was like a caress to his body, and he’d spent the better part of the past twenty-four hours cursing his ever-present hard-on…just like now.

Temperance looked away for a moment then sighed, glancing back at him. “I suppose I owe you an apology.”

He raised an eyebrow. That wasn’t what he’d been expecting, and he couldn’t help but be intrigued by the unusual comment. “What for?”

Her gaze shifted before she made direct eye contact. “I had you pegged as the kind of guy who only saved his own ass.”

“And not those of my guests?”

A hint of a smile touched her mouth. “Exactly.”

He chuckled. “You know, Temperance, calling me a self-centered ass isn’t really an apology.”

Her smile widened. “I never called you an ass.”

“Not to my face.” He resisted winking at her. “You really should be more careful about talking on your cell around here. The walls inside are obnoxiously thin.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t flinch as she continued to watch him. “And your reputation precedes you.”

“You can’t believe everything you see on television.”

“So you’re telling me you’re not an arrogant ass?”

He flashed her a genuine smile. “Guess you’ll just have to wait and find that out for yourself…if you manage to stay alive long enough.”

Her face sobered slightly. “Point taken. And thanks…for the whole evil ghost thing.”

“It was a demon, darling, but you’re welcome.”

Her eyes narrowed for a moment, her gaze studying him as if she wasn’t sure what to believe. True, he’d done an interview a few months ago about the mythology of demons, and how untrained investigators often cried foul when, in truth, they just didn’t know the difference between a good and evil spirit, but it’d all been part of his ruse. If anyone had discovered the truth about the recent deaths in New Orleans, the entire area would have been roped off and every paranormal idiot known to man would have ventured down here to stake a claim in the investigation…his investigation.

He paused, rerunning the words in his head. Fuck, no wonder she considered him an arrogant ass. He was. At least, he’d tried to appear that way. He’d purposely been overly dramatic in order to keep the rising spiritual activity undercover. Not because he thought that much of himself, but because he knew a hoard of inexperienced investigators would only result in one thing—more bodies. But that wasn’t the worst of it. If this demon was after what he thought it was, the bodies would only be the beginning of something much more terrifying.

He sighed. Apparently, on top of stopping a demon, he also had a few personality traits to work on. Temperance cleared her throat, drawing his attention. He focused on her and smiled at how the glow from the streetlights reflected off the auburn strands in her hair.

She furrowed her brow. “Are you okay?”

He relaxed his features. “Fine.”

“Good, ‘cause maybe you can explain to me why just a couple of months ago, you stood up on national TV and promptly dismissed the notion of demons when you clearly believe they exist?”

“I may have…embellished the truth slightly in that instance.”

Anger flashed in her eyes as she crossed her arms on her chest. “Embellished? Damn it, Avery, that little stunt of yours cost some investigators their careers! Hell, several branches of the paranormal investigation society shut down over that.”

Avery tightened his lips, not wanting to give too much away too soon. “An unfortunate outcome.”

Temperance’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, he swore she was the one spitting fire. “And you wonder why I think you’re a bastard.”

She grabbed the handle and yanked open the door, jumping out as he cursed. She ignored his calls as she headed for the main door, her long hair playing along her shoulders as she marched across the pavement. Her boots tapped on the cement, and he had to run to catch up with her.

He snagged her arm, spinning her around to face him. “Would you just stop for a minute!”

She pulled against his hold, her face flushed a deep red.

He held firm, careful not to hurt her. “Please. Temperance. Just give me a minute to explain, then, if you still want to bugger off, I’ll drive you back to your car myself.”

She scowled, looking from his face down to his hand. He sighed and released her, half expecting her to storm off again. She glanced at the door, then cursed under her breath, crossing her arms on her chest as she stared at him. Avery tried not to notice how the innocent action pressed her breasts against her sweater, giving him a glimpse of taut buds beneath the fabric.

Her lips pulled tight as she huffed out a deep breath. “Fine. Five minutes, though I don’t know why.”

“I’ll chalk it up to professional courtesy.”

She motioned toward the hotel. “What about your pack of love-starved golden retrievers in there? If you’re hoping for privacy, we won’t get it inside, unless you really believe we’ll get more than five feet beyond that door before they surround us like a hoard of the undead?”

Avery glanced at the hotel. Though no one had ventured to the windows yet, he knew she was right. The rest of his ‘crew’ had a habit of lingering, even when he’d directed them elsewhere. “It’s not like I’ve asked them to follow me around.”

“Of course not. Must be that new cologne you’re wearing.”

He smirked at her. “You are truly a pleasure to be around.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the rear of the house. “Perhaps I should have thought twice before saving your lovely ass.”

She stumbled behind him, apparently caught off balance by his sudden motion. “Ah, don’t worry, baby. I’m sure you’ll get another chance to prove to me you’re really an asshole. I just need to be patient.”

He chuckled in spite of himself, leading her along a moonlit walkway. In other circumstances, he would have found the atmosphere predictably romantic. But something in the way she seemed to appreciate her own words left him feeling strangely sad.

After a minute, she tugged against his hold. “Where the hell are we going?”

She gasped when he stopped suddenly and turned around, their bodies colliding in the middle of the path. Her arms flew to his shoulders as she attempted to anchor herself, her chest hitting his. The warm smell of woman and coconut shampoo filled his senses as her hair flipped across his face, the soft lengths caressing his skin.

He clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to gather the locks in his hands as he pulled her head back, claiming her lips with the same fire that burned through his veins. God help him, but he wanted her. Wanted to taste the scent lingering in the cool, southern air, feel her silky skin coast over his as she moved above him. Wanted to close his eyes as she kissed his mouth, sinking down on his shaft and taking him deep inside her.

The images had him pinning her to the wall before he’d even realized he’d moved. Her eyes widened, but there wasn’t any trace of fear in them as she studied him, her chest flattened against his, her nipples poking him from beneath her sweater. Her breath hitched ever so slightly as he leaned in and brushed his mouth over hers.

“Now, darling, it almost sounds as if you don’t trust me.” He made another pass, somehow managing to keep his tongue inside his mouth. “Afraid I might have…other plans?”

She flashed him the sweetest smile, batting her eyelids like a fabled, southern belle. “Trust is earned, and as for any other plans…” She raised her knee, gently putting pressure on his sac. “I’m fairly certain those need to be mutually agreed upon.”

He chuckled and pushed away, a sense of pride welling inside him. She was a feisty little vixen, he’d give her that much. “I’m all about mutual agreements. As for your question…” He pointed at a half-hidden door on an adjoining wall. “That’s what we’re looking for. The hotel has a more discrete entrance in the back garden area. There’s a small office just inside on the left. We should be able to talk without being…interrupted.”

Temperance moved forward, pressing her body against his for a moment before smiling and stepping past him toward the door. “Ah, shucks, Avery. If I’d known you wanted some special alone time with me, I would have worn my good jeans.”

He swept his gaze down her body, tilting his head as he looked at her ass. “Trust me, darling. Those are your good jeans.”

He gave her a wide grin as he grabbed her hand and started moving again, winding through the hanging vines as he approached the door. He glanced back at her when he released her hand and dug the key out of his pocket, slipping it in the lock. The bolt tumbled in the casing, the faint knocking sound carrying across the short space. Avery twisted the handle and swung the door open, taking a quick peek inside before nodding at her and ushering her in, shuffling her into the small office just inside the doorway.