Was that an innuendo?
When Marlene started tugging at Christian’s scarf, he shot me a dark look. A flicker of understanding sparked in his eyes that maybe he shouldn’t have left the table earlier. Or maybe my smug expression gave me away.
“Why don’t you two join us at the Red Door after dinner,” Marlene offered. “I know someone who can get us into the VIP party room.”
Remembering what Christian liked to do in those private rooms, I sat back and tossed my napkin onto my plate. “Thanks, but I’m not really in the mood for clubbing.”
She shrugged impassively. “Suit yourself. There’s a live band playing at midnight.”
“Tell us more about yourself,Detective.” Christian refilled his glass of wine.
“What exactly do you want to know, Mr. Poe?”
I snorted at the unintentional rhyme. “He wants to know your blood type.”
“Put a cork in it,” Christian snapped. “I have every right to know what kind of man is asking to see my partner, especially when we have business ties with him. Do you normally diddle with your associates?”
Glass narrowed his eyes. “And maybe I have every right to know what kind of man Raven has chosen to partner with. Tell me, Mr. Poe, do you think if I ran a background check on you it would turn up anything concerning?”
Christian lifted his glass. “Touché.”
Marlene leaned over and licked the shell of Christian’s ear. He recoiled, but that didn’t stop her hand from roving across his lap.
I reached around and lifted my shawl from the back of my chair. When I rose from my seat, Christian’s eyes took in my elegant dress. “I think I’m ready to go. I hope you two have a delightful evening,” I said, waggling my brows, hoping like heck he lost our bet.
Christian gave me a look of murder when she tugged at his scarf again.
While Glass paid the bill, I waited by the front entrance. A few rogue snowflakes drifted to the ground, heralding the coming of winter. When the valet arrived with the car, we dashed outside, and a gust of wind blew my dress up in the back.
So much for sophistication.
Once inside the car, Glass gripped the steering wheel and sped out of the parking lot with haste.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, noticing his altered mood.
“I don’t trust Vampires. I’m sorry if he’s your partner, but you havenobusiness trusting a man like that. They’re deceptive and dangerous.”
“You don’t think I know that? It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”
His nostrils twitched. “I picked up your scent in there.”
I waited for a beat. “And?”
It dawned on me that he must have been able to smell my jealousy. The only problem was it had to do with the way Chesty McBoobs was looking at Glass, not because of her and Christian. But I couldn’t exactly explain that to Glass. This was our first date. How desperate would that make me look if I was jealous about another woman looking at him?
“I deal with criminals every day,” he continued. “Vampires are the most deceitful and conniving men because of their gift to charm and erase memories. Trusting a man who wields that much power is foolish, and it concerns me that you have no problem working beside one. That’s all.”
I smirked when I realized that some of his contempt might be due to a little jealousy of his own. It was flattering to think someone might feel territorial over me, even if it came from a man who was technically my mortal enemy. “I had a nice time tonight, but this… this isn’t me.”
He studied me a moment at the light. “What do you mean?”
I gripped the door as we turned a corner. “Dresses, fancy dinners, polite conversation. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great evening, but I don’t want you to get a false impression about who I am.”
A smile pressed lines in his cheeks. “And who are you, Miss Black?”
That was a damn good question. “I dress down, I have a wicked sense of humor, I love eating in a greasy diner, and I know how to handle myself around a Vampire. I’m not intimidated by any Breed, or else I wouldn’t be sitting here on a date with a Chitah.”
He sped down the road that led to the mansion. “You’re not at all bothered by the fact that we’re mortal enemies—that people will judge you like those in the restaurant tonight who were whispering and pointing?”
