AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sure thing.” She hadn’t known what she’d done, just like she hadn’t known about the mark on her back. She needed answers more than Mick did.
Erin carried the glasses in one hand and the bottle in the other, slinking back over to the table, her lips pursed. She set up the two glasses and Mr. VIP leaned back in the booth, waving her off.
“There’s no way I’m drinking anything you pour.” It was said neither in accusation nor amusement, just in his earlier flat tone.
“Yet you had me get a drink? Why?” She poured herself a glass, unable to resist the bouquet emanating from the bottle over the stench of sweat and mildew of the club.
“I figured Charlie would expect you to drink along with me. I also wanted to see what you’d do.”
Erin finished pouring and had the glass resting against her lips, on the cusp of tasting the wine, when his words hit her. She paused, raising her eyes to meet his narrowed, calculating gaze. Her tongue flicked out, capturing a few drops of the dusky, berry-laden wine.
She craved more to her marrow, but knowing he wanted her to indulge made her fight the impulse. What did he mean,see what she’d do?
“Have a seat.” He gestured at the space next to him. “I’d tell you to sit across from me, because I can assure you, I’m not planning anything other than talking with you, but it would make Charlie suspicious.”
She took a drink then, slowly enjoying the feel of the aged vintage while she sized up her host through half-open lids. The wine burned a welcome path down her stomach, and from there, through her veins, emboldening her actions. Whatever this man was, he knew things. Things she wanted to know, too.
Erin sat down on the bench and slid around, getting nice and cozy with the corporate suit. When her hip and arm rubbed up against his, he initially pulled away before settling back down.
Interesting. When he backed away from her, in that instant, she glimpsed the tattoo on the back of his head. It was a pair of crossed spears done in black and highlighted in silver, gorgeously wrought. A man of war?
“You wanted me here to talk. I’m here. Talk.”
He took a deep breath and looked her over while she drank another sip of wine and studied him. Anxiety rolled off him in palpable waves. It wasn’t something she’d noticed before, but his inability to sit still, especially with her this close, was downright comical. For all his posh veneer, sleek presentation, and displaced 9-to-5 appropriateness in this parlor of sins, he hadn’t come undone until she’d snuggled up next to him.
He shivered under her gaze. “If you touch me, Wild One, have no doubts, I’ll bring you up on charges so fast your head will spin.” His words threatened, but the fear hung heavy in his eyes.
Peals of laughter rang from Erin’s throat. “Pardon, sir.Youasked me over.Youinvited me to sit. This meeting is entirely at your discretion. What’s your name, anyway?”
“Daniel. Yours?”
“Lola.” She poured herself another glass, ignoring his insta-frown.
“No, your real name.”
She gave him a sideways glance. “You’ve got to be kidding, right? That’s not how we play things here, or at any club. Even you corporate types have to know how it works. I’m not having you report me to the security forces.”
He spread out a hand, flat on the table, muscles tensing across his shoulders. “This isn’t about the Corporates, not directly at least, and you know it. This is about what we are, besides all of that. I need to know why you are working here, and why you feel it’s appropriate to display your adoration to non-initiates.”
Erin stared at him blankly. What? The? Sheol? He thought she was a part of some club and had some in, but she had absolutely no idea what he was rambling on about. However, the more tense he got, she knew one thing for certain.
Erin wanted to punch him. She’d never been the violent type, but his obscure lecturing inflamed her temper. Sure, he was a corporate shirt, but nobody threatened ‘Lola’.
That might have been the two glasses of wine talking, she considered, before dismissing the fleeting concern.
“I work here, Daniel, to make money. Some of us aren’t as lucky as you corporates. As for the other, I have no idea what you’re rattling on about.” She finished the second glass of wine, which had slid down even smoother than the first. Of course, she poured herself another. He wasn’t drinking any, and it would be a shame to waste the bottle.
He leaned into her, the hard edge of his steely musk an assault on her senses, and gripped her wrist firmly, so hard it bit into her skin. “You have great favor. It’s obvious by the extent of your markings. Surely you can secure better employ than this seedy dive,” he whispered into her ear.
Erin’s lip curled into a snarl. He was no better than the satyr who’d tested her limits at the forest’s bonfire. How dare this man handle her without permission? The music pounded through her veins, her heart surging with the fire of the vine.
“A smart man would remove his hand about now.” She set her glass down on the table and leaned into him, but this time he didn’t give. “What markings are you referring to?”
Say it.She needed him to tell her what they meant.
Stoically, he held his ground. “A wise girl wouldn’t flaunt our markings,” his eyes lingered over her nearly bare shoulders for a moment, “to non-initiates. You know what’ll happen if I report you?”
“What, someone’s panties will get in a bunch? Those are some stunning blades tattooed on the back of your head. Won’t you get in trouble for showing off those too,Daniel?”
