The Darkest Kiss

He leaned back and picked up his wineglass, his movements elegant and casual. As if he hadn’t shared a mind-blowing kiss only moments before. And yet I could feel the hunger on him, smell his arousal.

He took a sip of the drink, then said, “None of the Trollops are here yet.”

I glanced at my watch. It was just after seven-thirty. “I thought this gig started at seven?”

“It does, but the beautiful people tend to arrive just before the main proceedings. Unless they are on the hunt, of course. Then it’s a different matter.”

“I think most people would consider you one of the beautiful people.” But despite the scent of his arousal spi

“Was that a compliment? Ms. Jenson, I’m shocked.”

“Okay, so I’ve been a little sparse in my compliments. But then, so have you, buddy.”

“Which is very remiss of me. You look stu

I smiled. “Compliments that you’ve been prodded into don’t count.” I leaned back a little, and crossed one leg over the other, showing a nice amount of thigh. “So what are we going to do, Qui

“I don’t know.” His gaze went past me. “Marcy Be

I twisted around to look. Two statuesque blonde women stood at the doorway, one dressed in dusky orange that clashed a little too much with her overly ta

“E

“Yes.”

“Then I guess I’d better go back to work.”

I stood somewhat reluctantly. He stood up also, but wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer, his fingers splayed against the bare skin of my back, sending little bolts of electricity tingling up and down my spine.

I licked my suddenly dry lips and stared into his dark eyes, seeing the hunger there, seeing the need. And not just sexual need. “I thought you didn’t want to do casual?”

“I thought you said you’d quit casual?”

I smiled. “Well, yeah, but that doesn’t change—”

He placed a finger gently against my lips, silencing me. “I have the presidential suite at the Langham. If you feel like discussing this matter any further, come back there when you finish tonight.”

“I’m not sure what time I’m going to be finished working.” And I certainly wasn’t sure if I should go back, no matter what I was feeling or how much I needed him. We’d been through so much, had hurt each other so much, that part of me worried that the cycle would just start up all over again.

I couldn’t bear that. There’d been enough shit in my life already. I just wanted a simple, straightforward, caring relationship with someone for a change. No ulterior motives, no hang-ups about what I was or what I did. I just wanted to deal with regular everyday problems in a regular everyday relationship.

And I really wasn’t sure Qui

“It doesn’t matter what time you turn up. I’m not going anywhere.” He bent and kissed me, his lips lingering, teasingly close as he added, “Please come back, Riley.”

I took a shuddery breath and released it slowly. “No promises.”

I stepped away, even though all I wanted to do was remain in his arms with all that lean strength wrapped around me. To feel safe and secure and cared for for the first time in what seemed like ages.

“Be careful when you’re dealing with the bakeneko. Don’t let it get a taste of you.”

“The bitch isn’t going to get close enough to bite, trust me on that.” I gave him a confident smile, then turned and walked away—even though my legs felt like jelly and every step away from him had my hormones screaming in rage.

The glittery room seemed a whole lot noisier away from the quiet oasis that had seemed to surround Qui

E

I skirted the room, coming up to them from the left and slightly behind. I was one table away when E

Chapter 8

For a cat who’d only been wearing stilettos for a few weeks, she was damned fast.

I ran after her, dodging tables and people. Some fool in a suit saw her ru

Thankfully, the hallway beyond was relatively clear of people. E

I raced after her, startling the doorman by thumping my hand against the door as he began to close it.

“Sorry,” he said, but by then I was almost out of earshot.

The night was cold, filled with the scent of eucalyptus and the slightly muddy aroma that was the Yarra River. But the scent of cat rode the night sharply and it was easy to follow. I raced along the footpath, my stilettos creating a sharp tattoo of sound that echoed across the moonlit gardens that surrounded us. Up ahead, E

Beyond her, the footpath curved around to the left and disappeared behind some trees. I reached for more speed, wanting to grab her before she got to the corner and went out of my sight, however briefly. She was obviously thinking along similar lines, because her speed increased and her arms and legs became little more than a blur.

She could fucking run, I’ll give her that. Hell, I had the speed of a damn vampire behind me, and I was only making up little bits of ground.

The corner loomed and she disappeared around it. I was maybe two seconds behind her, but it was enough for her to disappear. I cursed and stopped, my nostrils flaring as I sucked in air, trying to catch both my breath and her scent.

It was there, but not as strong. And lower.

She’d shifted shape.

I did the same and, with my nose to the ground, ran on. The grass was damp under my paws and the scents of the nearby eucalyptus and rosebushes were sharp against the night. Her trail went off the footpath, twining through trees and flowers.

Given the meandering line she was taking, I wouldn’t be surprised if she were trying to mingle her scent with the other aromas, thereby making it harder for me to follow. Obviously, a cat had no understanding just how sensitive a wolf’s nose could be.

Her scent was getting stronger, not weaker. I trotted on until I came to the thick, gnarled trunk of a tree and the scent of cat was so strong I was practically drowning in it. I stopped and looked up. Up in the higher branches of the big old elm, two blue eyes glinted back at me.

I shifted shape and said, “Come down, E