Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(17)

I met his coal black eyes evenly, refusing to fall into the seductive pull of his energy.

Harley was an incubus vampire, as was Arys. It was in their nature to use the lure of desire to sway their victim.

“I need to speak with you.” I cut to the chase, unwilling to be intimidated. “If you refuse, then I'll leave without any trouble. I'm just asking for a few minutes of your time.”

I knew that there was no way he would refuse me. If anything, he'd agree simply out of sheer curiosity. At least, that's what I was counting on.

Harley cast the briefest of glances at Kale before returning his eyes to me.

Regardless of the smile he wore, there was little humor in his gaze. It was dangerous and calculating but also intrigued. I had to take that as a good sign.

“I most certainly would love to know what brings you here. In fact, I'm dying to find out.” He said it with a smirk that had me second-guessing my actions yet again. Would I ever stop being amazed at my own foolishness?

“Just me and you.” I looked pointedly at the human woman at his side. “But, Kale stays close by.”

“Or, Kale could enjoy some time with my lady here.” Harley winked, and a tiny flutter began in my stomach.

“No.” I shook my head. I could feel Kale's tension; no doubt, Harley could, too. I wasn't allowing for distraction techniques. “I'm here to ask you for something, a proposition if you will. No games. No bloodshed.”

“Well, now you really have my attention. You took a real gamble walking in here. I can refrain from giving in to temptation for one night.” Harley licked his lips, drawing my eye. I knew what it felt like to have those lips pressed to mine. He'd tasted me, taken my energy into him. As much as I'd hated it, I'd been unable to fight the fact that it felt so good.

“Can you?” I didn't mean to say it. It just slipped out.

I held my breath, fearing I'd gone too far on that one. Shit. His eyes never wavered as they bore into me. With just the slightest shock of silver in his dark hair and fine lines around his eyes, he was the epitome of the sexy older man. I couldn't help but be painfully attracted to him, even though I knew that it was due to his power.

He took a step closer, as if he couldn't help himself. His voice was low and smooth like silk when he said, “Maybe the real question, Alexa, is can you control yourself?

Anything you throw out, I'm going to accept. Keep that in mind.”

“Fair enough.”

Kale shot me a look that clearly conveyed his take on the situation. I chose to ignore it. I was here now, and I was going to say what I came to say. To him I said, “Stay right here. Give me fifteen minutes. Then, come and get me if I'm not already back.”

He nodded tightly, but his eyes were on Harley's midnight snack. I shouldn't have brought him here. This place was his weakness. A vampire like Kale should be killing.

That didn't have to mean innocents. Killing would free him from the leash he'd put on himself, which was long overdue.

I gestured to Harley, indicating for him to lead the way. I assumed he would head for the same room that he'd attacked me in. I was right.

After a brief word to his “date,” he waited for me to step in line beside him. “Forgive me if I don't quite trust you at my back. I'm sure the feeling is mutual.”

“Certainly.”

When we came to the room at the farthest end of the hall, I felt like the breath had been crushed from me. For the first time since I stepped foot into the building, I was scared. Fear was an aphrodisiac to the man at my side, and I struggled to gain control.

I waited for him to cross the threshold first, fearing imprisonment. It was hard to shake those suspicions after the last time I'd been in Harley's company. Of course, he'd taken me by force and attempted to bond me to him by blood. Naturally, I was on guard.

“Have a seat.” With a sweeping gesture, Harley indicated the nearby table and the couch on the far side of the room.

I did not intend to stray far from the door. “I think I'll stand. Thank you though.”

I drank in the sight of the room where I'd fought for my freedom. Being bound to Harley would have been my greatest nightmare come to life. It was because of him that I'd instead bound myself to Arys. It seemed like a necessary choice at the time as it guaranteed no other vampire could ever bind me.

With a shrug, he crossed the room and took a seat on the sofa. He sat back in a manner that was just too casual. The black leather pants that he wore paired with a black shirt, open partially to show the smooth expanse of his chest, drew my attention. It was the first time I'd seen him in person clad in something other than a fine suit. Was it wrong that I thought this was so much better?

“Anytime you're ready, my darling.” He indicated that I should begin, and I took up pacing a line back and forth in front of the door.

The blood coursed through my veins as if I were running a race. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to spit the words out before I ran like a coward. Harley watched me with a mischievous smile playing about his lips. He was enjoying this.

“You know things … about the power that I have. You share much of what I can do.

I need to know more.” I cringed inwardly, hating that I needed something from him. It could only empower him, even if only his ego.

I continued to slowly pace, finding some kind of comfort in the constant motion. His eyes followed my every move. I wanted him to say something before I went on, to give me an indication of whether or not he cared to hear anything further.