Angels and Hunters (Stoker Sisters 2) (14 page)

“Opposites…” Martha whispered as her eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

“We’re a little more than simple opposites. We’re literally on opposing teams. She’s about as far from being the right type of girl for me as a girl can get. She may as well be the lamb to my cougar, the small fish to my shark, the…”

“Yeah, I see where you're going with all this, but that doesn’t change the fact that you love…”

Keegan’s mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t listen anymore to anyone around him...his mind was on Sadie. Her soft skin against his rough stubble. The silky long hair through his calloused fingers. She was everything he wasn’t… and everything he needed. Lord help him, he did love her, and he loved her with a fierceness he had never experienced. “I have to find her.”

“You better believe you do.”

Keegan would have recognized that sultry and raspy voice anywhere.

“And since you know where to look…”

The click of her heels sounded against the hardwood floor and every pair of eyes in the place turned towards the door. Keeping his cool, Keegan turned, unhurried and relaxed. He was not about to be frazzled by the likes of Alexis.

“Wah…” he uttered beneath his breath as he laid his eyes on her. Her jeans were virtually painted on and the delicate fabric of her sheer blouse fluttered angelically about her, all while revealing far too much of her devilishly toned body. Cleavage exposing part of her breasts, high, firm and enticing, beckoned him.

Damn it.  How could she affect him so?

“Hey, baby,” a young college guy called out. “If you’re looking for some real action, I’m your man.”

No doubt accustomed to such attention, Alexis eyed the guy with cool reserve then directed her gaze and stride to Keegan.

“Ah, come on, honey,” another college student called out as he wrapped his arm around two obviously inebriated buddies. “We’re here to party. Join the fun.”

Though she refused to look their way, Keegan saw the curve of pride at the corners of her mouth.

“Afraid we’ll be too much for you, sweetie?” The tallest one among the young group called out.

Keegan recognized them from earlier when they’d ogled Sadie. Did they realize they were now all over her sister?

“Maybe she’s more of a prude than she’s let on,” the drunk called out. “Tease!”

“Yeah,” his buddy shouted. “Tease.”

“Tease,” they all shouted in unison.

Her gaze shifted. It was almost imperceptible at first, but Keegan saw the challenge in her eyes. She flipped back the thick waves of wild curls and winked at him. “I’ll take care of you in a minute,” she whispered before strutting off to tend to her admirers.

“Oooh,” they chanted. 

“Coming over to teach us a lesson?” one ventured.

Her stride was slow and deliberate as she swayed her hips, licked her lips and shook her hair until it fell wantonly over her face.

“My God, does she know how to play a room,” Martha muttered in awe.

The men hushed, enraptured by the vision that approached them. A few even backed away.

“I’m looking for action,” she rasped. “So,” she went on, looking at the first guy who’d called to her. “You're my man, huh?”

“Umm.” He licked his lips, hungry and nervous as he stood his ground.

She grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulled him to her, crushing her breasts to his chest. “Let’s see.” She pressed her lips to his, plundered his mouth with her tongue, then traced her lips along his jaw and up to his ear where she whispered.

Keegan, along with every other patron in the restaurant, male or female, watched Alexis turn the poor young man into pudding. When she finally released him, his lips were thick, his eyes bleary and his knees barely able to hold him up.

“Not bad,” Alexis muttered as she dusted her hands off of his shirt. “But I wouldn’t go off bragging about it.”

Twirling about with a swing of her hips, she returned to Keegan, every step forward blowing her hair back and giving her an allure that was virtually impossible to resist.

Sadie, Keegan reminded himself. Sadie is the one I want.

“Now, let’s get down to business.”

Silently, Keegan waited for her to go on.

“Can I see you outside?”

“Lucky guy,” one of the college guys said in a feeble attempt to rile the gang up again.

Slipping off the stool, Keegan shot a glance at Frank and Martha. “Thanks for everything. Apparently I’m wanted outside.”

As he followed the sultry movements of Alexis’ hips, he tried to remember who was really important to him… Sadie.

But the moment he stepped outside and turned the corner of the building he was jumped. Within seconds, his duster was stripped off him, along with every weapon he’d brought with him.

“The famous Keegan Knowles,” a sweet but seductively raspy voice whispered in his ear.

He turned to face the delicate and exquisite features of a petite woman. “The famous Delilah Wu,” he said. How long had he been hunting her? A hundred, two hundred years? And here she was, black spike heels, tight black dress and luscious red lips… definitely more of a woman than he’d anticipated. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“As I have you, Mr. Knowles.” She leaned in to sniff him. “And that scent. Very enticing, interesting.”

He couldn’t help the arrogant grin that came to his lips.

“I’ll keep my distance,” Delilah added. “If not I may very well give up container blood and sink my teeth into him.”

“So, you smell it, too?” Alexis approached and took a whiff. “I was taken in the very first time I smelled him… and it was only a remnant of his scent on Sadie’s backpack. We were both completely taken in by him.”

“I commend you both,” Delilah said with an impressed cock of her brow. “It must not have been easy. You two are still relatively young and new at the world of vampirism and showing such restraint is something I’ve only rarely seen over the years.”

Keegan watched the exchange and was stunned when he actually saw a hint of humility in Alexis. Though the lighting wasn’t optimal, he could have sworn he’d seen her blush.

“It was hard, harder than I would have thought, but we managed.”

The two women turned to Keegan, their lips parted, their tongue hungering as their eyes devoured him.

“He is a good-looking guy,” Delilah said, patting Alexis on the shoulder.

Tempted to point out how impolite it was to speak of him as though he weren’t even there, Keegan simply stood his ground in silence. Though he’d befriended Alexis when he’d first met Sadie, their relationship was now limited to that of hunter and vampire. He really didn’t have anything much to discuss with her.

But keeping quiet and still didn’t keep Delilah from finally ending the idolizing and getting down to business. In the blink of an eye she was all over him, pushing him to the wall and pressing her fingers into his throat.

“Where’s Sadie, Hunter?”

“I don’t know,” he choked out, his Adam’s apple stressing against her hold.

“You're smart, Hunter,” Delilah moaned. “Too smart to let Sadie out of your sight.”

Alexis nudged Delilah aside and came in close to Keegan, her fierce blue eyes staring right through him. “Listen to me, Keeg. We can do this the hard way if you insist, or we can do this the hard way.”

Keegan knew that look, knew the threat and though he tried to fight the compulsion, he felt his will wither away.

“Now, why did he have to go and be so darn cute?” Alexis asked Delilah. “I mean, look at this guy. Strong, sweet, sexy, yet so darned innocent you just want to scoop him up and hug him forever.”

She came closer, sucked in a breath as he exhaled, and covered his mouth with her lips. The kiss was deep and passionate, demanding and giving. She pressed him to the wall, the swell of her breasts welcomed and exciting against his chest.

“Get a grip, Alexis,” Delilah cut in. “We need to get a few answers from him before you turn him into a completely useless mound of mush.”

Stepping back, Alexis sighed. “Heavens. Sorry, I lost myself for a moment there. I’ve wanted to taste him for so long. But Sadie… damn she was always in the way.” 

Taking in the sultry sight of him a moment longer, Alexis smiled. The smile disappeared and her hand made a quick job of bringing him back to the reality of the situation.

She turned to Delilah. “Proceed.”

“What happened?” Keegan asked. His lips felt swollen and hot. And the scent of vampire was closer than it should be… on him, in him.

“Injustice,” Alexis answered as she turned away. “Sadie always gets the guy.”

“We don’t have all night, Keegan. Skars and Ashwin are out to do her great harm. So where is Sadie?” Delilah said.

“I told you I don’t know where she is.” He looked at them and knew they truly wanted what was best for Sadie. “All I know is that Ashwin has her.”

“You're one of the world’s most successful vampire hunters. If you really put your mind to it, I’m sure you’d find her.”

“And you're one of the world’s more famous and ancient vampires, with powers that far outshine mine. Why don’t you just tap into her thoughts and go after her?”

Creasing her brow with concern, Delilah shook her head. “Ashwin is as ancient as I am and his powers are well honed. He’s blocking me, shutting me out of Sadie’s mind.

“That pansy? He’s blocking you?” The man had barely seemed capable of swatting a fly, never mind blocking telephathic powers. But thoughts of the last time he’d seen the ancient Lord and prince were swept away as he took in just how attractive and enticing the old Delilah was. So unlike what he’d envisioned. She was a rare beauty, made all the more appealing with the wisdom, power and wit she had.

“I’m impressed,” Alexis threw in. “I didn’t really think Ashwin had such power. It’s thrilling.”

Keegan shot her a hard glance.  Could she really be taken in by that fruit? His jaw tightened as he realized the hold Ashwin had on both girls.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Delilah grimaced. “As Dracule’s progeny.” The grimace turned to wistfulness.  “He’s also quite the charmer. He even had me going for a while.”

Alexis looked shocked, something that both amused and surprised Keegan. Did she really think Ashwin hadn’t practiced his charms on others before her?

The night went silent for a moment as Delilah reached out to grip Alexis’ wrist, her gaze suddenly distant and intent. “Ashwin has faltered. I was able to get through to Sadie.”

“Where is she?”

“Get in the car,” Delilah shouted. “She knows she has to leave. She’s just realizing the danger she’s in.”

Chapter 13

 “
I
’ve brought some of that old world charm in to blend with many of the more contemporary lines,” Ashwin said as he led Sadie through the foyer and up the grand staircase. “Art deco really inspired me, but I also fell in love with some aspects of country French.”

“You certainly do have an eye for color and texture. Every room has its own personality and flair.”

Ashwin opened the door to a pleasant bedroom that was alive with color. Bright and colorful, it was a splash of sunshine with a touch of whimsy and fun.