A quick look around revealed she trudged herself to the borders of the Bowery and the Lower East Side, near Club Anarchy.
As she made her way to the nightspot, a tall figure in a long, black leather coat entered her line of sight, and Ely froze, her heart kicking hard against her ribs.
Finally.
She tucked the few escaping strands of hair under her beanie and followed as he entered the nightspot.
Tagg smiled but didn’t detain her with small talk. She bypassed the loitering patrons and followedhim, several eyeing the tall demon like a favorite snack as he strode past, not that she could blame them. While he might be a pain in her butt, he was…mesmerizing.
Music blared as she entered the club. The frenzied energy and eardrum-splitting music had her wincing. Hastily, she shut out the sounds, tracking him as he headed to the lower level, making his way deeper into the nightspot. The way he prowled through the place reminded her of a predator on a hunt.
She frowned. What was he after?
He halted at the softly lit bar, spoke to the bartender, then skirted the crowd and made his way to the back.
A human stopped in front of him, putting a hand on his chest, and Ely stilled. The guy leaned closer and said something. Despite the flashing lights in the dark club, she could clearly see the lust in the human’s expression as he stared up at the brooding demon who’d shifted her world off its axis. She couldn’t see his face, but his posture showed no discomfort from the wound she’d inflicted when she knew it had to be worsening.
Then he moved in that incredibly sexy way of his, wrapped his hand around the human’s throat, slowly backing him past the partygoers who paid them no heed, and into a dark corner. His head lowered. The human’s eyes widened…in fear? She wasn’t sure, but then his features morphed into one of ecstasy. He moaned, grabbing the demon’s head and dragging him closer.
Ely stood there paralyzed, her belly twisting, nausea tracking up her throat.
He liked males.
Seconds passed, maybe more, she had no idea how long the kiss lasted. It felt like an eternity beforehelet go of the man and stalked off.
The human blinked, glanced around him, then ambled in her direction with a dreamy expression. Her burning lungs had her inhaling harshly, and she hastily sidestepped him before he bumped into her, her attention back on the demon.
He strolled over to a trio of humans seated at a table almost concealed in the corner. They hurriedly vacated their spot—either they sensed the peril he was, or he’d willed them to do so—and he dropped into the empty chair. Those glowing topaz eyes lifted then narrowed as they settled on her.
Her expression cool, Ely removed her beanie and strode over, her hair sliding free of the bun. It was too heavy to keep in the style anyway, and she was an idiot, thinking… Yeah, like usual, she’d lost whatever rational brain cells she possessed when it came to this demon.
She stopped opposite him, the table between them.
“Following me now,laika?” he drawled, slouching back in his seat. His dead-straight hair flowed like black satin over his shoulders, his direct stare gliding over her in a slow caress.
Ely had no idea why, when his actions with the male clearly showed his preference.
She didn’t bother raising her voice above the music, knew he would hear her. “The slew of drained bodies, I know you’re a part of it,” she said, pushing her heavy cascade of hair over her shoulder.
His eyes traced the movement of her fingers before settling back on her face, and he arched that irritating eyebrow at her. “Do you now?”
She couldn’t see his fangs, but she knew that close-lipped smirk hid sharp incisors.
“Sit,laika. You’re straining my neck.”
Her mouth thinned. Yes, she was taller than most human females at six feet, but he made her feel about as graceful as a doddering elephant.
Feet planted on the floor, arms folded, she waited.
A slow smile started, igniting his flame-hued eyes to a luminous, champagne gold. His hooded stare turned sinful, pure seduction. And her treacherous body went into slow burn, the pull to him undeniable.
Man, she stifled a groan, trying to shut off this growing awareness, but it was like a damn dripping faucet, taunting her.
With the grace of a panther, he uncoiled all six-foot-six or seven inches of his tall self from the chair and came around to her. His hand shot out, and he grasped her arm, hauling her to him. She hit his chest with an oomph, the impact of his tough body against hers stealing her breath. And the tap gushed. By the stars!
“What are you doing?” she growled, pushing at him, then her gaze fell on the waiter passing them, a smirk on his dark face, drinks tray in hand. Her cheeks burned.
“So stubborn.” Her nemesis shook his head. “It’s why I tried to draw you closer, not because I want to get my hands on your delectable self…or maybe I do.” His mouth tipped into a taunting little smile.
