The Wicked Kiss (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #2)(4)

Despite the fact that she didn’t want to, she moved back to allow me entrance. I stepped into the room, afraid of what I would see. The room was dark, lit only by two matching candles in a fancy iron candelabrum that sat on the small night table near the bed. The air was thick with an aggressive energy that lingered almost painfully.

The carpet was more of the same from the hall. Everything was laid out just like a hotel room would be. A table with two chairs stood in one corner, a bathroom and a bureau adorned with alcohol, bottled water and small snack items completed the room. I didn’t like it one bit.

“Kale?” I couldn’t hide the worry in my tone. I cast a glance around while his donor continued to give me a death glare. I really wanted to slap her. “We need to have a little chat, buddy.”

Kale was lying in the bed amid black, satin sheets and a furry, zebra print comforter.

I had never seen him quite like this, and it scared me. He appeared to be nude, the sheets shoved down to his waist. His bare chest was firm, well built.

I didn’t like the look he wore. His different-colored eyes bore the look of a junkie soaring as high as he could get. He’d been born with heterochromia iridium, a gene condition that results in mismatched eyes. One was deep brown while the other was a pale blue. The effect was magnificent but, at the moment, a little eerie.

“Alexa, come in. Close the door behind you.” At his sudden gesture, the door closed behind me on its own before I'd even moved. This was not quite going how I’d imagined.

The energy soaked atmosphere picked at my flesh.

I stared at the vampire in the bed, more than aware that I was dealing with a side of Kale that was not the usual for me. I completely ignored the red-haired woman standing beside me, staring like she knew whom she was dealing with. Of course, being a human, she had no idea of what I was.

“Kylarai is really worried. You need to leave here … now.” I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

My best glare was lost on him. The smile that adorned his handsome face reminded me of every vampire I’ve tangled with right before he goes for the bite. It was almost as evil as it was predatory, and it did not look right on Kale. It was nerve wracking, and I found myself on the defensive.

“Kylarai worries about everything,” he said, waving a hand as if to draw me closer. I didn’t budge from where I stood near the door. “I’m sure I haven’t been here that long.”

“If you don’t know how long you’ve been here, then that's too long. Come on, I’m taking you home.” I had to resist the urge to cover my nose. The room reeked of sweat and blood, among other things.

Kale sighed and ran a hand through his short, dark brown hair. It was just a few shades lighter than black and messy, like it hadn’t been washed or combed in days. He looked away from me, down at the zebra blanket in his lap. When he looked up again, I saw a semblance of the Kale I knew behind his eyes.

“Jennifer, it would be best if you left now. I’ll give you a call.” He gave her a look that struck me as odd. It was almost pleading. He was hoping she wouldn’t make a scene.

“What?” Her voice was flat, like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Just like that, I’m out of here? I spend three days in here with you, and as soon as the next one shows up, I’m dismissed? That’s f**ked, Sinclair.”

I stood back and waited for the awkward moment to pass. I hated being part of someone else’s drama. I watched Kale roll his eyes at her, motioning to where her clothing lay tossed on the back of a chair.

I cleared my throat, drawing their attention to me. “I’d just like to say that I am not a donor. I work with Kale. This is about business.”

Jennifer scrutinized my tight corset and killer heels before nodding as if she knew all too well. “It’s always business with Kale.”

She grabbed the clothes off the back of the chair and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her and muttering a series of muffled curses. I stared at Kale, expecting some kind of serious explanation.

He met my eyes, and I was sure I saw the flicker of total humiliation hidden in the depths of his carefully constructed vampire gaze. It was quickly replaced with irritation.

Something in me did not like this situation. I realized that, though I wasn’t afraid, I was wary. Something wasn’t right. I again had the sensation of being prey in this place, something the wolf in me detested. I am a predator by nature, even more so since I’d formed a permanent metaphysical bond with a vampire. I didn’t appreciate being looked at as if I were lower on the food chain.

The sound of running water and drawers slamming came from the bathroom.

Jennifer didn’t seem too happy about being asked to leave. I would have been glad to take off right then myself.

“You shouldn’t have come here, Alexa.” Kale cast a glance around for a robe, which he spotted on the chair a few feet away. “It’s dangerous here. You’re like a dose of premium fuel in a place that only has regular. Someone will fixate on you in a heartbeat.”

I watched him slip from the bed in one fluid motion, pulling the robe secure around his slender but firm frame. Kale was certainly a sweet sight on most days, but right now, I was more interested in my safety than his lean physique.

“So I’ve discovered. But, it was either me or Kylarai, so be grateful for small blessings.” That you don’t deserve, I added silently.