Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(19)

We were nowhere near touching, yet I could feel him all over me when I focused, all around, inviting me to play. Everything but my common sense wanted to respond in full.

Yeah, this was exactly why I needed control, but was it possible to find it with someone like him?

His cryptic words set me on edge. I didn't like that he was so certain I would come back. What was he really expecting from me? When I didn't respond or walk away, he boldly stepped closer. The power emanating from him felt divine.

Memories that belonged to Arys ran through my mind, a blurry jumble of images I'd obtained the first time our power joined. Because of them, I already knew what it would feel like to touch Harley the way I suddenly wanted to. I also knew that this was a test of my own strength, one I had to pass.

“Whatever way you can have me … what is that really supposed to mean?” I curled my hands into fists so that my lengthening claws dug into my flesh. The sheer force it took to hold back the power seeking to control my actions was tearing me apart. My four fangs filled my mouth, and I growled. This was too much.

Harley's eyes widened, a gleam in their depths. “Don't you just want to give in sometimes? To see what it's like to stop fighting it?”

“No,” I snarled the one word, backing away until my back hit the doorframe.

“Alright.” He cocked his head to the side, watching me with hawk-like intensity.

“Here's the bottom line. Body, blood or power. That's what I want from you. It's your choice which you feel most comfortable bargaining with.” I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. He wasn't finished though. “I want to explore you in every physical and metaphysical way possible. Anything you offer, I'm going to accept. So think about it. Carefully.”

I gaped at him, utterly tongue-tied. I most definitely was not sleeping with Harley so he could forget about that whole “body” thing. The unfortunate part was that the sharing of either blood or power had physical effects too, some that were almost impossible to deny. If the entire point of this was to gain control over such things… There wasn't a single option available that wasn't intense and deeply intimate.

“You know that all three of those elements pretty much go hand in hand on some level.” I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning against the doorframe.

“They don't have to. Isn't that what you want from me? The ability to be the one in charge of that.”

“You're taking advantage of me.”

“Look who you're talking to, honey. Of course I am.”

He had me there. We stared into one another as my mind reeled. What was it going to be? Let Harley get something he wanted from me or walk away and still be stuck right where I was now.

I growled at him, baring my fangs for good measure. He merely raised a brow and smiled with phony innocence.

“Fine. Blood then. But, you don't get to sink fangs into me until I have learned something concrete from you.”

“By all means.” Harley nodded and despite the fact that he stood there casually, I could feel the hunger rolling off him.

I couldn't help the strangely unwelcome anticipation that settled within me. Part of me was looking forward to working with Harley. I told myself it was because of what I would gain from it, but I knew that wasn't the whole truth. Harley's power felt good, dangerously good.

I felt Kale's approach and relief swept through me. “I have to go. I'll be back.”

Turning toward the exit, I was glad that he couldn't see my face when he replied,

“And I'll be waiting.”

Chapter Five

Anxiety attacks really aren't my thing. Since I'd left The Wicked Kiss the previous night, I had been a jittery ball of nerves. The deal I'd made with Harley haunted my every waking thought and my every dream. Arys' memories had flashed bloody images behind my eyes until I couldn't take anymore. I'd been drinking coffee since, waiting for Shaz.

He'd had two days to think about the information Veryl had given me. He'd agreed right from the start that we had to look into it. In fact, he'd been more willing than I'd liked. It was unsettling. Even though I truly believed Shaz to be more than capable of taking care of himself, being the one to lead him into potential danger didn't appeal to me. Though I seriously doubted that I'd be able to talk him out of this, I had every intention of trying. I knew him well enough to know better. Yet, I was just as stubborn as he was.

He was taking the night off from work, and the two of us were going to follow up on the address that Veryl had given me. I was hoping it would be a total bust. I didn't care what those wolves wanted. They weren't welcome here. I just hoped we'd be back in time to catch Arys if he stopped by. It wasn't like him to stay away for long.

Arys … I felt guilty at the thought of him after my visit to the Kiss. I also still felt pissed. The two should have canceled each other out but they didn't. The thought of seeing Harley the following night had my stomach in a twist. I wasn't backing out. Arys would just have to understand why I needed to do this. I knew he never would though.

I slipped into a pair of tight black leggings and a Mopar t-shirt. It was a little chilly considering the weather, but I needed to be able to move easily. I was prepared to fight but hoping it wouldn't come to that. Maybe this was some kind of misunderstanding. No big deal. Yeah, right.