I could taste him in the back of my throat, blood more than human like candy on my tongue. His otherness rode the air before him, spilling through the doorway as he paused, taking in the shadowed commons. His eyes were hidden in mirrored shades, but the very stillness of his body said he was searching the crowd, seeking.
I sat back a bit farther from the light, that simple movement drawing his attention. My breath quickened. I felt the weight of his gaze as something soft yet heady, a brush of fire across my cheek. I shivered a little, something low in my belly curling with the promise of hot dark things.
I slid my eyes away from him, afterimage burning while I sipped Irish cream. Their wasn't anything particular about his appearance, a handsome man of normal coloring, but the crawl of power when he walked in the door was a tide of energy to prickle the skin of the wary. He likely gave psychics a fit.
Something like a butterfly kiss hovered over my mouth, drawing my attention back to him. He had taken off the shades, revealing eyes like glittering sapphires, marking me with a rather neutral stare. That got a frown and lifted brow. I just didn't get empty glances. Lust, envy, fear, hate, but never polite nothing. Who was he? Or better question, what was he?
Whatever he'd been looking for, he started winding his way through tables, not beelining for me, but close. I glanced at Sil beside me, my shadow watching the stranger with ready suspicion, and nudged his knee with mine. He growled a slight acknowledgment, folding strong arms over an equally impressive chest, looking very much the bodyguard.
I let faint interest fill my eyes as the otherly male stopped before our table, looking down at me with no hint at all of his thoughts. I arched a pale brow at him, before offering a practiced smile. He might pass for human to the untrained eye, but I never would, not with catic features and punk coloring. If I had been the only beast in the room, I would assume that's what had drawn him. Most of females that frequented Barry's weren't full human, and tonight being Friday was certainly no exception. There were over a dozen of us in evidence, all regulars, some already entertaining.
Sil shifted beside me, his bulk drawing a squeal of protest from the overburdened chair. His expression was bordering rude. As the man before us simply stood there, staring down at me, I didn't say anything to correct Sil's manners. I let a little impatience narrow my eyes to golden slits and folded my arms, giving the stranger a slight frown. "Can I help you, Sirrah?"
He actually shuddered, his neutrality cracking a bit as something hot widened his eyes. I let myself grin, just a touch of smugness. He was being awfully careful for some reason, but simply lacked the training to shield the baser responses. That would explain all the power rolling off of him. An older soul knew how to hide it better.
He cleared his throat, discomfiture recalling his manners, and inclined his head politely. "May I join you?"
Sil muttered something low and grumpy and I laughed, drawing another shiver from the youth. This was going to be too easy. I was almost tempted to send him on his way. Almost.
I nudged Sil under the table again before gesturing at the chair across from us. "Please." I let the word smolder in my eyes, curling my smile with just a little invitation. I didn't want to scare him, not if he really was that jumpy. How could be shine this much power and not shield better? Why hadn't someone claimed him?
He pulled the chair out, his eyes still on mine, and lowered himself almost languidly, as though he were posing. I didn't think so, as his eyes held no challenge, but something was moving him. I took another cooling sip, noting his gaze dropped from mine to my lips. Heat stirred sapphire depths, as he admired the stark contrast of rubies to frothy cream. I rolled my lips with my tongue, not licking, but savoring, and watched him draw a quick breath. I couldn't help the grin at that, and dropped my head a bit, running a finger around the rim of my glass.
"You wanted something," Sil growled, not so much a question as prompt.
The man finally glanced at Sil, and sat a bit straighter now, less relaxed. His mask of neutrality was flawless again, cool and impassive. He measured Sil appraisingly, then slid a glance at me. "I am to negotiate then?"
My breath caught, eyes flaring wide, and I had to school my features not to drop my jaw and stare. Is that what he thought? I couldn't keep all the delight from my eyes, but managed not to laugh. His intent was clear then, and it drew something tight in my belly, flushing my skin. This was simply too rich.
Sil didn't find it amusing, but knew better than to say anything. He seemed to grow in the chair, fair bleeding menace into our corner of the bar, and glared at the impertinent young man. "Aye," he growled, "You negotiate with me, or get ye gone."
I let my fingers trail from the glass, across the table, to lightly touch Sil's arm. He was tense, the indignance vibrating in him with the want of violence, but he knew his place. The call was mine, and it was not Sil's job to protect me from insults, just from danger.
I bent my head a bit, letting a sweep of teal fall over my eyes, and looked up through the silken strands, playing the coquette for my perspective buyer. "What would you will of me?" I put nothing extra in my voice, and watched him quiver anyway.
His pulse leaped in his neck, his lips parting faintly, as though he'd pant. I could speak like fur across skin, could call to air a tingle of the flesh that many found their undoing, but I wasn't even trying. He was either that sensitive, or that hard up.
He got himself under control, relaxing the tension that sang in his body, and stared at me again. There was heat in his eyes, and something else, beyond curiosity, something harder that I didn't recognize. He wanted me, easily seen, but something more or less than mere lust. Interesting.
He moved his hands from his lap and leaned a bit forward, splaying his fingers on the table top, drawing my gaze. His hands were large, well formed, neither soft nor roughened. The fingers were long, yet thick, and I nearly blushed. Imagination provided too real an image of those hands sliding under my skirt, and I shifted in my chair, my skin growing hot.
"Your terms for a night?"
I blinked, frowning, but he wasn't looking at me. Sil almost snarled but swallowed it, shooting me a look that promised violence. I dipped my head playfully and kicked him under the table. Sil managed not to glare at either of us, but it was an effort. I reached for his near empty glass with a mewing sound and rose, giving my hair a little flip to slide down my back, and moved for the bar. I felt their eyes following me, a soft touch down my spine, and had to still a shiver.
I nodded to Barry, handing over the glass and waiting for the refill. I really didn't want to hear whatever price was set, as I didn't trust myself not to start laughing. I did wonder where he'd gotten the idea from. If Barry was letting the flesh trade go on under his nose, I certainly hadn't heard about it. I'd let Sil keep the money, as I had no interest in it, though it would look as though I was rentable. I'd correct the next that thought so, but just this once it was too tempting not to play along.
Barry handed me a full dark mug and the key to my usual room. He didn't wink or comment, he knew me too well for that. I smiled at him and turned to thread my way back to our corner. Eyes traced my skin, some heated, some hostile. It was just another night for all of us.
Both males looked satisfied as I approached, having made their bargain. I set Sil's brew before him, remaining standing at his side as though he were master here. I gave him an expectant look, as any good bit of baggage would, and awaited my fate. Sil held out his hand for the keys. Triumph flared in my eyes and I had to look away, meekly giving over, watching the stranger through a fall of teal tresses.
His eyes were smoldering, as though he'd burn me into him, and I had to stifle a gasp. More than lust now, laying there, heat near to hunger. It washed over me, like his power, but far more invasive, hands I couldn't see that waited just above my body. His eyes were fired with promise, glittering with confidence that was entirely male.
He stood up, slowly, and I couldn't look away. I took him in, the heavy wave of his auburn hair, the smooth lines of his face, the firm breadth of his body, and nearly licked my lips. It was in his expression, that he would have me, and the thought fired my blood.
Sil downed his mug, slammed it to the table, and pushed to his feet. He towered over me, over everyone, and scowled at anyone that dared to stare. Most knew better, but there were always a few tourists. Sil tucked me under his arm, taking the liberty perhaps in spirit of the game, but likely more because he knew it would anger me. I snuggled up to him for appearance sake, poking him hard in the side, but evincing pleasure. Why was he so upset?
I pondered the motives of men as I was steered from the commons and up the stairs. Sil's rage was almost choking, though deflected by the heat that rode my back, borne on the stare of the man behind us. We trooped to the third floor, moving down the hallway in silence. Sil opened my room, stuck his head far enough inside to check, his hand hard on my arm. He then pushed me inside and stepped back, allowing the stranger to follow me. I moved a little inside, my hands smoothing the sides of my skirt, and turned slowly to look at the male behind me, closing and locking the door.
The cool mask extended to his eyes again, and I smiled. What was there to hide now? We were alone, though Sil was standing just outside the door, his keen senses aware of all that would take place.
