I considered it for a moment but then dismissed the thought. I wasn’t letting my cha-cha lead me around indiscriminately. More than anything, my goal was to get a rise out of Grim. That implied I was an antagonistic little shit, as Timothy already pointed out.
Even if I was trying to seduce Grim, who the hell could blame me?
The air notably cooled as he broke eye contact, pulled out his smartphone, suddenly absorbed. Fingers flying as if he were orchestrating the movements of armies, I resented his sudden indifference.
Maybe he was ignoring me to play Candy Crush, simply trying to pass the time while I shook my ass out here. Who was I kidding? Grim probably hadn’t even heard of the app. That would brush up too close to fun, which was something he didn’t do. All work and no play made Grim a dull boy.
Sauntering back down the pool toward the hotel, I was tempted to start singing Disney tunes. Surely my innocent, slutty, damsel-in-distress routine would lure my stalker out.
A man who had been alternating between the hot tub and his lounge chair the last hour I’d been here caught my eye for the third time.
He was handsome, in his mid-twenties. Muscular and lithe, suggesting he spent a good deal of time in the gym, and judging by his bare chest, he shaved himself smooth. He had light-blue eyes and had given me a half smile every time I walked by, not bothering to hide he was watching me. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had vampiric senses or if I was observant, but I could look at some people and peg them as Richie Riches. There was something about their skin that was a little fresher, their teeth a little whiter.
When his eyes caught mine, his smile spread, revealing perfect teeth.Uh oh.He grabbed two drinks on the table next to him and approached. He smelled like expensive face creams and cornflakes.
“The waiter brought over two mojitos,” the man said, flashing me another dazzling smile. It was underlined with just enough humility to not seem cocky. “I don’t suppose you’d want the second one?”
Smooth. But the idea of taking a drink from a stranger put me on an edge so hard, I almost wanted to push him away from me.
“I just had a drink, so I’m not thirsty,” I said, not technically lying. His blood beckoned but I’d had more than enough to resist.
With a bashful laugh, he looked down at the drinks. “Yeah, I suppose that was a pretty lame pickup line.”
“Does it usually work?” I asked, honestly curious.
He set the mojitos back on the table by his chair. With a shrug, he ran his fingers through his dark-blond hair. “Sometimes.”
There was something so neat and tidy about this guy. I’d bet he paid his taxes on time, never used the wrong utensil, and was excellent at making people feel at ease. It probably explained whatever high-paying job that afforded him access to the private Sinopolis pool. Oddly enough, I found him lacking.
You aren’t in fear he might kill you any moment.
Great, I was comparing this pleasant, loaded dude to the scowly, all-business, master of death at the other end of the pool.
“I guess I thought, or rather hoped, you kept walking by in the hopes I’d say hello,” he said.
“Oh, I was—”
Warm fingers caressed my bare flesh as a hand slipped around my waist. “Otherwise engaged,” Grim finished for me. I turned to look up at him. His gaze was flat, dangerous.
The Ken-doll tried to keep his composure, but a pesky stutter snuck its way into his words. “Mr. Scarapelli, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother your—” His eyes flicked to me a moment, but he didn’t finish that sentence. “I often stay at Sinopolis for business. I’m even part of your VIP guest membership. Your hotel is unparalleled in comfort.”
I didn’t blame the guy for his nerves. I’d nearly jumped out of my skin when Grim appeared at my side. As it was, I wanted to squirm under his light touch. My blood ran hotter than a moment before and I was suddenly lightheaded.
Do not lean into his touch. Do not, I repeat, lean into his touch.
Did the bastard think I’d fall over myself simply because he paid me attention? He seemed not to care for anyone or anything, which was why he was able to claim whatever he wanted when he put his full force upon it. And I was not unaware that he was currently marking me as off limits to the Ken-doll.
For the moment, I was grateful the bra of my bikini was so covered with jewels because my nipples tightened with an ache to be touched. Despite the greedy nerve endings of my hip insisting I push further into his palm, I somehow managed to keep control of myself.
Grim released the man from his pandering with a slight nod. “Glad to hear you enjoy our hospitality. This round is on me.” His eyes touched on the two drinks. Then Grim started to lead me back to where he had been sitting. I tried to send Ken-doll one last friendly smile, but he seemed to be in his own head reviewing his lack of cool in front of the hotel owner.
Grim didn’t remove his hand from my hip, but it was the light caress of a gentleman. Ever in control, this guy.
Licking my lips and trying to focus anywhere but on Grim’s touch, I waited until we were out of earshot to ask my question. “Can you tell what kind of soul people have before you reap them?”
“Mostly,” he said. “Though souls are in constant flux. In the moment of meeting them, I often know where they would be sorted, but they could change into something quite different within a few days.”
“How about cutie pie back there?” I asked, wanting to know if he was as nice as he seemed.
