The guard station was a smaller building set into the side of the wall that held the gate. An open window allowed a view of the street and Sera leaned onto the counter that separated her from Avery. His hand lay on the counter, his pose relaxed, but she had noticed his eyes dipping to her chest more than once. The angle here was obvious.
“I’m more of a present for someone. Miles said it was a special occasion.” She started drawing delicate circles on the back of Avery’s hand. “And once I’ve concluded my business, maybe I could make time for a little fun.”
The spark and dilation in his eyes suggested he was tempted.
She would have to channel all her thoughts into selling her desire, or he’d sense her deception too easily. If she pretended his hair was lighter… maybe white and wearing an apathetic scowl instead of a stupid grin, she might pull off a facsimile of attraction for the few minutes needed.
Sera turned his hand over, so his palm was facing up, and cradled it in hers, drawing his fingers closer to her chest. Rough nails brushed the fabric of her chemise and she suppressed a repulsed shiver. His gaze narrowed, possibly detecting her revulsion, but Sera summoned an erotic image, desperate to return to her mask of desire. Kieran’s voice flitted through her subconscious, primal emotion thawing the ice in his gray eyes, his warm hands on her skin, exploring with reserved need, like he feared that too much contact with her bare skin would be too much, like she made him feel too much.
Sera squeezed her legs together. Avery’s face shifted into a wild sort of grin. No doubt he’d gotten the right impression, butSera wasn’t actually sure how their ability worked. At least, she was back on track.
“Let’s see.” She used her nail to trace the lines in his palm. “Now, forgive me, I’m not the best with this, but I think this is your life line.” She moved to another. “And that would make this your pleasure line.” She pressed a touch harder as she followed the crease to his wrist and up his arm. “A long, strong line like this suggests you’re either impressively put together,” her eyes dipped quickly with the insinuation, “or have the stamina of a god.”
He blinked. “Seriously?”
“Which is perfect cause,” she curled his fingers back into a fist and pushed his arm away from her, “I can be quite insatiable.”
She released him with a gentle pat on his knuckles. “Why don’t you have someone fetch Miles and we can get this business sorted and get to thefunall the quicker.”
Avery scratched his ear. “Well, I…” He blew out a breath, studying her, taking appraising looks up and down. Sera resisted rolling her eyes.Gods, this was getting annoying.
“I’ll just walk you back there, how’s that?” He started to gather some things from a desk, then called over his shoulder. “Gabe, I’ll be back in a second. Watch the gate.”
Avery disappeared as another guard took his place, and then he was outside and staring at her with oily lust.
“This way,” Avery ordered and went about unlocking the gate and holding it for her to enter, then relocked it behind them. He dared letting his hand tease at her hip, which she might normally have been forced to tolerate.
However, once inside there was no more need to pretend.
Sera jerked away from Avery’s hand. “Take me to Wraith. Now.”
Avery blinked for a moment, obviously slow to follow the change in mood.
“He’s in danger,” she pressed, “Cole is likely right outside. Take me to Wraith.”
“Hold on, you mean you’re not interested in having sex with me?”
Sera growled and took off running. She vaguely remembered the way, but Avery had regained his senses and was shouting for back-up. Her chance of reaching Wraith was minimal. They were likely to start taking shots at her. Miles carried the newer style weapons. She doubted he was the only one here with firearms.
She was running blindly now, sprinting for some sort of cover so she could recollect her thoughts, when an arm caught her by the waist.
The air should have whooshed from her lungs, but the owner of the arm turned with her momentum so her body could decelerate gradually. Once her feet hit the ground, Sera was about to start throwing her fists, but she stopped when she recognized the roguish grin.
“Miles!”
He stared down at her, his arm still holding her up by the waist, and Old Sera might have found the moment swoon worthy. Except, Miles was incredibly annoying and relief at finding an ally was stronger than any effect his mischievous eyes could elicit.
“We should meet like this more often,” he said, not removing his arm. “The imminent threat of violence adds a bit of flare to this storybook rescue.” He winked.
Sera pushed his arm away, but his presence stopped the horde chasing her in their tracks. She kept them in her peripherals as she dusted herself off.
“Interesting choice of wardrobe.” He gestured to her clothes. Aside from his joke, he hadn’t acknowledged the guards waiting to capture her. Clearly, they were awaiting his orders. She hoped she hadn’t misjudged him…
“I was in a hurry,” Sera said. “Cole found me after you left. Waltzed right into Kieran’s home.”
Miles’s grin started to drop.
She continued, a bit breathless from the run. “He threatened me,again. And used threats to demand I steal the Charm from Wraith. I don’t think he plans on me succeeding. I think I’m the distraction.”
