But Dorian didn’t share her sudden enthusiasm. His jaw clenched, his eyes turning cold and resolute. “You’re talking about breaking and entering into the home of a demon. Absolutely not.”
“Why not?” she asked. “Does he live in hell?”
“Woodstock, actually,” Aiden said.
“Is his house some kind of crazy supernatural lair that turns mere humans into dust?”
“Charlotte,” Dorian warned. “You—”
“Don’t youCharlotteme, Dorian Redthorne.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “You may know your way around the supernatural realm, but when it comes to a good ol’ fashioned smash-and-grab? That’smyarea of expertise.”
“Quite a little spitfire you got there,” Cole said to Dorian. “This woman’s gonna get you into trouble.”
“You don’t say.” Dorian swept her into his arms, a spark of humor glinting in his eyes as he backed her up against his BMW.
Aiden mumbled something about reconvening tomorrow morning to make a plan for the break-in, but Charley was barely listening, already losing herself in the pleasure of Dorian’s kiss.
The other men headed back toward Aiden’s SUV, and Dorian shifted his mouth to Charley’s ear, whispering a hot warning against her skin. “I should bend you over this car right now and have my way with you.Thatwill teach you not to leave the manor after dark.”
Charley laughed. “You’re a naughty vampire, Mr. Redthorne.”
“Don’t tell me you’re suddenly taking issue with fucking in public places.” He lifted her, setting her on top of the hood and guiding her thighs around his hips. “As I recall, that’s precisely how we met.”
“Your driveway isn’t exactly public, but… Fair point.” She cocked her head and tapped her lips. “What are you proposing, vampire?”
“Shall I draw you a sketch, then?”
“I’m much better with hands-on learning.” She tightened her thighs around his hips and pulled him close, eager for another kiss—for whatever filthy, exquisite fun he had in mind.
But just as his lips brushed her mouth again, the phone buzzed in her pocket.
“I’m vibrating,” she said.
“Me too, love,” he whispered.
“No—my phone. Someone’s texting me.”
“Leave it,” he said, kissing a path to her neck. Between her thighs, he was already growing hard for her.
But Charley’s gut tightened with worry. Aside from Dorian, there were only two people who regularly texted her—Sasha and Rudy. She couldn’t risk missing a text from either of them, especially at this hour.
“Just… one sec.” She put a hand on Dorian’s chest and reached down to retrieve her phone.
It wasn’t Rudy.
A shot of raw adrenaline flooded her veins, and Charley hopped off the car, heart leaping into her throat.
“Charlotte?” Dorian asked.
“My sister’s in trouble.”
“I thought she was in Vermont?”
“So did I.” With a trembling hand, she held up the phone to show Dorian the text.
Emergency. In trouble. Meet @ Perk ASAP. Back entrance. Come alone no matter what, Charlotte!
“Bloody hell.Aiden!” Dorian flagged him down just as Aiden was pulling out. The SUV came to an abrupt stop, and Dorian wrenched open the back door, waving Charley inside.
