I turn toward the deep, gravelly voice that just resonated at my back and watch a very tall, also overbuilt, and freaking annoyingly handsome man slide into the seat next to mine. Ugh. It’s Dom. Rahel’s vampire MC brother. Why me, God? Every time I see this idiot, he has a blood bag in one hand, and a shit-eating grin on his way-too-hot-to-be-true face.
“Excuse you?”
He nods toward the dance floor. “Viper and your girl. All that lovey-dovey shit. Makes me want to gag.”
“That’s my best friend you’re talking about, asshole.”
He grins and I feel that shit all over. From my hardening nipples to my tingling clit. See? Annoying!
“And that’s my brother.” He fucking winks, then turns to signal a passing server for a drink. “Doesn’t mean I want to sit around watching him make heart eyes the rest of the night.”
I narrow my eyes at him. He’s wearing a black suit that fits him way too well. Hugging impossibly broad shoulders, thick arms, the widest chest… Definitely custom-made. Jerk. His pale skin practically glows under the fairy lights hanging throughout the reception hall. His jaw is sharp enough to cut glass, and then there’s that glimpse of fangs when he smiles… the very ones I’ve been catching myself thinking about. Wondering how they would feel on my skin… piercing through it… between my thighs…
I shake myself. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
“Not really.” He takes his drink from the server. Something dark and red that’s definitely not wine. “This is the most entertainment I’ve had in ages. Watching the grumpiest bastard I know turn into a lovesick puppy? Priceless.”
Another grin, another flutter in my lady bits. Just fucking kill me now…
I frown. “He’s not a puppy. He’s an ancient and powerful incubus.”
Dom snorts. “Same difference when they’re mated.” He takes another sip of hisdrink, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’m Dom, by the way.”
I scoff. Really? Like we haven’t seen each other at their clubhouse, at our new store’s opening, at Des and Rahel’s, and… Oh, My God, have I been keeping track?!
I clear my throat. “I know who you are.”
He smiles smugly. I will end this bastard. “And you’re Keke, the best friend. The one who calls him Shadow Daddy,” he states with a mischievous glint in his dark almond-shaped eyes. His fucking fascinating eyes…
“How do you know about that?” I force myself to ask in a bored tone.
His grin widens, triggering a swarm of butterflies to take flight in my stomach. Great, this… supernatural being is now giving me gastric symptoms.
“Viper mentioned his mate’s friend has a smart mouth.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be an insult?”
The panty-destroying smirk returns in full force. “Depends on how you wanna take it, sweetheart.”
“Do not call me sweetheart, asshole.”
We stare at each other for a long beat, something rippling in the air between us. Something annoying and hot, and absolutely unwelcome.
“You’re a jerk,” I finally say.
“Takes one to know one, sweetheart.”
“I said, don’t call me sweetheart.”
“Would you prefer, baby? Honey?” He leans close, and his scent invades my space. It’s deep, dark, spicy. Fuckingintoxicating. His warm breath fans over the shell of my ear. Wait, since when are vampires warm?… Then he whispers, his full lips brushing my skin, “Sugar?”
I jump back. “Leave me alone.”
He chuckles low and rumbly. A rich sound that does something to me I refuse to acknowledge. “Now where would be the fun in that, Sugar?”
I let out a loud harrumph and resolutely turn to the dance floor, where Rahel dips Destiny low, then pulls her into a kiss that makes the entire room explode with cheers and whistles. And when they part, Mr. Grumpy Pants is smiling.
“See?” Dom comes closer again, whispering low into my ear. “Nauseating.”
