Darkness Clashes (25 page)

Chapter Twenty-five

We made our way downstairs and onto the dance floor. Smoke swirled around our legs and invited us to flow with it. People weren’t crushed together the way they were in most clubs. At The Spectrum we had room to move with the music.

The bass pounded through me in a slow, erotic rhythm. I swayed with it, running my hands along my body. It was as if we’d stepped into a world with no limits. Nothing to hold us back. Kariann and I dipped below the smoke and clasped hands, lifting them above our heads. Together we rose slowly as if coming out of deep water.

We turned and our backs met. She reached up behind her and ran her fingertips along my head and hair. I took hold of her hips and guided her to move with me. We dipped and swayed, back-to-back, losing ourselves in the music.

Soon we turned around and our bodies rubbed and moved against each other. I was so far gone in the moment I had no sense of my surroundings. It wasn’t until I opened my eyes that I caught Lucas standing behind Kariann, watching.

I stepped away from my dance partner and beckoned him with my finger. He stalked toward me like a cat on the prowl, eyes blazing gold. There was no one else in the room—just the two of us. His hands grasped my waist and pulled me close.

“I should kill Kariann for touching you like that,” he said.

I put my arms around his neck. “I started it. You’d have to kill me first.”

His fingers dug into my skin. “Never.”

Lucas zoomed us across the room and my back hit the wall. The smoke was thicker there. I could barely make out anything beyond the man looming over me. Lucas crouched down and ran his hand up my thigh. His fingers trailed under my skirt until they reached my panties.

I half-expected him to rip them, instead he grasped them and slowly pulled the wispy fabric down my legs. Somehow, that made it more erotic. I was helpless to stop him as he lifted first one foot, then the other to remove them. Once done, the scrap of silk and lace disappeared in his pocket.

I took hold of his shirt and pulled it off of him, letting it fall to the floor.

“Take something from me and I’ll take something from you,” I said.

A smile spread across his face. “Testing me, sensor?”

“Always.”

Lucas took my hands and rose to lift them above my head. “Grasp the hook.”

It grazed my knuckles. With my three-inch heels on, I was barely tall enough to grab the cold metal where it was set into the wall. Despite knowing I could let go any time, I felt vulnerable as I stood there stretched out for Lucas. He kneeled down and kissed my knee. His lips continued upward while his hands lifted my skirt inch by inch. My hair fell over my face as I watched him.

He came to the juncture of my thighs and spread them a couple inches farther apart. His tongue swept out to lick me. I moaned and pushed my hips forward, hoping he’d give me more. He didn’t disappoint.

Lucas grabbed one of my legs and hooked it over his shoulder, then buried his mouth on my most intimate parts. He was aggressive and demanding as he licked and suckled, giving no quarter. I couldn’t hold back. A scream of pleasure ripped from me. It took a minute to catch my breath, but as soon as I did I lowered my leg and let go of the hook.

“My turn.” I grabbed him and spun him around, pushing his back into the wall. “Grab the hook and don’t let go.”

“You better make it worth my while,” he said in a deep, husky voice.

I got on my knees. “Oh, I plan to.”

Opening up his pants, I found he had nothing on underneath them. His cock jutted out at me and I took hold of it, leaning forward to let my tongue play along the head. He stared down at me with an intent gaze. I didn’t want intent. I wanted him every bit as lost in the moment as I had been. He wasn’t going to act the cool and calm nephilim tonight.

I opened my mouth wider and took as much of him as I could, sucking and rubbing my tongue along the bottom of him. He tilted his head back and groaned. That was better, but not enough. I snaked one hand around to grab his ass and kneaded at it. With the other I grasped his balls, rolling and rubbing them as I watched his eyes close. For my final move, I relaxed my throat and took him deeper. Farther than I’d ever managed before.

His breathing turned into short gasps and he jerked against me. I didn’t let up, but kept going. Testing what got the strongest reaction from him. It didn’t take long before he shuddered and lost control. I swallowed and worked my throat against him, pushing to give him the ultimate pleasure. It took a moment before he relaxed his body and dropped his head to look at me again.

I slowly stood, keeping my gaze locked on his. No words were needed. The love and passion we shared shined brightly between us. He was mine and I was his. I had to believe nothing could change that—not even the challenges we currently faced. We’d get through it and we’d survive.

“Your eyes are lighting up, Melena.”

I touched my face. “They are?”

“A glowing sensor.” Lucas let go of the hook and pulled me into him. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anything more alluring.”

He was tempting me to do more with him.

“We should get back to the others.” I glanced behind me, trying to see past the smoke. The balcony was barely visible across the room. Everything appeared shadowy and vague.

He grasped me tightly. “Yes, we should—to let them know we’re leaving. I want you in my bed where I can test what else will make your eyes glow.”

“Think you can do it?” I gave him a coy look.

“Yes,” he said with absolute confidence.

Hands clasped together, we returned to the table to find Kariann and Kerbasi laughing with each other. Even Sayer appeared amused at whatever they’d been discussing.

“Ah, the fornicators have returned,” Kerbasi said, lifting a glass with dark liquid inside. “You should try some of this. It is surprisingly good.”

His eyes were glazed over and his body relaxed. He chugged down the rest of the glass so fast some of it ran down his chin. With a swipe of his hand, he got most of it off but it was clear his coordination was lacking.

Lucas took a seat and pulled me into his lap. “Is he drunk?”

“Isn’t it amazing?” Kariann asked. “I introduced him to the club special.”

“Ah, yes. It tends to have a strong effect.” Lucas’ chest rumbled behind me.

“We should have another round.” Kariann waved the waitress over, who took her order and rushed off.

Kerbasi took hold of Kariann’s hand. “Tell me about this ring next. Did you kill someone for it as well?”

She wore several. I’d never thought to ask about them, but each was unique and beautiful. The one Kerbasi fingered was gold with a medium-sized sapphire and diamonds set on either side of it.

“That one? Oh, no. I got it over seventy years ago from a Russian prince who was living in exile in England. For a few weeks we spent every night wrapped in each other’s arms. Then I had to leave.” She frowned. “He was difficult to compel and he kept questioning where I went during the day.”

The waitress came back with our drinks. While everyone else was distracted by her, I reached down to the floor for my purse and pretended to check my phone. The vial Ariel had given me was in the side pocket. I palmed it and rose back up.

It was going to be tricky with the group gathered close together, but I couldn’t guarantee I’d get another chance to spike Kerbasi’s drink. Especially since Lucas and I planned to leave soon. Grabbing my glass, I took a swig and grimaced as the strong alcohol burned my throat. No wonder Kerbasi was drunk. It was potent stuff.

Lowering it so that I held it in front of me, I waited until the conversation flowed around me again. Everyone was listening to Kariann as she told the story about her third ring, which she’d won on a dare—swimming across the English Channel.

Lucas nibbled on my neck. I leaned into him, blocking his view as I dumped the vial’s contents into my drink. As soon as I finished, I dropped the container back into my purse to get rid of later. Lucas took hold of my chin and turned my head to kiss me on the lips.

It took all my concentration to keep from forgetting my task. I waited until he released me and reached across the table to set my glass down next to Kerbasi’s. Tipping my hand just a little too far, I knocked his over.

He leaped up just before the drink could spill on him and gave me an accusatory look. “You’ve ruined my drink!”

“Sorry.” I grabbed some napkins and dabbed at the mess. “Take mine. It was too strong for me, anyway.”

He eyed it for a moment, grimaced, then picked it up. “Very well. I will accept your offering, but only because I do not wish for it to go to waste.”

I watched as he drank some of it down and was relieved he didn’t notice a difference in the taste. It didn’t have a smell, but I’d still been worried.

“Since when do you shy away from alcohol?” Lucas asked, whispering in my ear.

I grabbed his hand and took one of his fingers, sucking it between my lips. Pausing, I turned to look at him. “Since I decided to keep a clear head for when we get back to the condo.”

“Smart woman.” He lifted me up and flipped me around. “I fear you will get little sleep tonight.”

I straddled his waist between my thighs. “Is that a promise?”

His fingers traced along my neck. “Yes.”

I twisted my head around and checked to see if Kerbasi had finished his drink. He had. Now I needed to get him back before he passed out.

“Time to go, guys,” I announced.

Kerbasi frowned. “But I wanted to stay and drink more.”

He was almost cute when he was drunk.

“Not to worry, big guy.” Kariann put an arm around him. “I brought some good stuff with me that we can share back at the condo.”

It took him a moment to think it over.

“Perhaps it is best…we left this den of sin anyhow.” He stood up and swayed.

Kariann took his arm and helped guide him as we left the balcony. He was staggering considerably. After we got past the stairs, Sayer took his other arm. We made our way past other patrons and exited onto the street. There were two police officers on horses, blocking our path on the sidewalk. Kerbasi stopped to stare at them.

“What beautiful creatures.” He looked at Kariann. “Can I touch one of them?”

She gave him an amused look. “No. We need to get you back.”

He protested, but she and Sayer managed to get him moving again as we went around the cops. As slowly as Kerbasi moved, it took almost fifteen minutes to reach the condo. The moment we arrived he crashed face-first into the couch.

“Damn.” Kariann shook her head. “The whole point of getting him drunk was so I could try to deflower him. Who would have guessed he couldn’t hold his liquor that well?”

“Maybe next time.” I gave her a conciliatory look.

“Come, sensor. I’ve got my own plans for you.” Lucas swung me into his arms.

I didn’t know it was possible to get up spiral stairs that fast.

Chapter Twenty-six

We couldn’t have been asleep for more than a few hours before the chiming of a cell phone woke us. Bleary-eyed, I looked over to see hints of light streaming through the window where the curtains weren’t fully closed. Lucas had held true to his promise and kept me up most of the night. One of these days I’d learn not to encourage him so much. I was sore and my body didn’t want to move.

“Yes?” Lucas answered his phone.

A few seconds of silence. My head was too far buried in my pillow to listen in on his call. I blinked my eyes and tried to push through the fog in my mind.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” He clicked on the screen and tossed the cell phone on the nightstand.

I rose up on my elbows. “What’s going on?”

“One of my business interests is in jeopardy. I must go, but I will return as soon as I am able.” He caressed my face before getting up to go to the armoire. I admired his bare backside and decided the soreness from earlier was worth it.

“Go where?” I pulled myself up farther.

He pulled out an old pair of jeans and ragged-looking t-shirt. I frowned. Lucas never dressed down when going out and definitely not when dealing with business interests.

“Not far. Just to the Gulf.”

I swung my legs off the bed. “But…”

“Go back to sleep. I’ll explain when I return.” He headed for the bathroom.

Dammit. I wanted to know more, but then I remembered I had a meeting to attend. Ariel had said they’d find a way to distract Lucas so I could go. What had they done?

He came back into the room and eyed me up and down. I still hadn’t gotten dressed and sat on the bed naked. At least this latest emergency hadn’t made him completely immune to me. If I hadn’t needed to leave, too, I might have been tempted to see how long I could distract him. Lucas turned away and pulled on a pair of white sneakers. I hadn’t realized he owned any.

“Melena, you’ve barely slept. Get some rest and I’ll be back in a couple hours.”