So I did the one thing I was actually good at. I flipped my hair over my shoulder, tugged at the hem of my shirt until my breasts practically spilled out of the top, loosened my leather jacket across my shoulders, and turned to the bustling crowd of vampyres.
Vampyres were fun. That, I could admit. Two years ago, life was different. Every male I met had been apprehensive about hooking up with a fae. But since the curse of the bloodlust had been lifted, there hadn’t been any issues with… well,lack of control.
Personally, I missed the high that came with that lack of control. But I kept that to myself.
I scanned the crowd until my eyes landed on a familiar face in the distance. Travis. No, maybe Tristan. Who the hells cared? His eyes landed on mine a few seconds later, and his face lit up.
It was just too fucking easy.
I threw money onto the counter for Soph, then stood and headed for the sexy, tall vampyre with cute hair. I had slept with him a couple of times, and if I remembered correctly, he wasn’t bad in bed.
Better than most of these other guys.
Halfway there, a strong hand clasped around my bicep and yanked me from my mission.
“What in the hells do you think you’re doing?” a deep voice practically growled.
Jessiah.
A shiver worked its way down my spine. One of annoyance mixed with an emotion I refused to acknowledge.
I tried to rip my arm away, but he only held on tighter. His light brown eyebrows were drawn together in what looked like concern, but I knew better. He didn’t care about me.
He only pitied me.
“I’m doing what you told me to, remember? I’m doing the one thing I’m actually good at around here. Drinking myself half to death and hopping into bed with the first guy who looks at me.”
His features darkened, his wings puffing out a fraction. “You’re drunk. You should go home.”
My chest tightened. Not because I actually cared about what Jessiah thought, but because I knew, deep down, beneath this harsh exterior, he was a soft person. A caring person.
And me? The absolute fucking disaster standing in front of him right now? I was nothing but a mess to him.
A problem to be fixed. Something his hero-complex could save.
So I yanked my arm out of his grip—successfully this time—and gave him a cutting smile. “Thanks for the suggestion, Jessiah. I think I will go home.”
When I turned on my heel and waltzed over to Travis-or-Tristan, Jessiah’s attention was like a brand. But I didn’t care. I made sure my ass was perfectly in view as I leaned over the tall vampyre’s bar table.
“You busy tonight?” I asked.
His eyes lit up. “If you’re free? Never.”
“Good. Come with me.” I straightened and made my way through the crowd.
He followed behind me eagerly. Such a good little boy toy.
But as I stepped out of the clearing and onto the small street that led to my place, a figure appeared, and a massive set of angel wings spread the width of the alley.
I skidded to a stop, cursing to myself. “Excuse me.” With a hand on my hip, I lifted my chin. “My friend and I would like to get by.”
“Go home, Tristan,” Jessiah commanded.
Goddess above. This asshole was always annoying as all hells, but tonight he was even worse than usual.
“Yes, Commander. Sorry, I?—”
“Just shut up and go.” The sharp tone of Jessiah’s voice even made me stiffen for a split second.
