Part 4 (2/2)
Unable to resist, Quentin stepped close. ”Why so bothered, Darcy?”
Her glower could have scorched the sun. ”I have to work with these guys. If they knew-”
Quentin caught a whiff of an aroma other than steak coming from Darcy's person. He stepped even closer and inhaled. ”If they knew what? That I f.u.c.ked you senseless in the shower, and then you crawled in bed with your partner?”
Her eyes widened and her chin inched higher. ”I didn't-”
Quentin raged. She'd turned to another as soon as she'd left him. A human male, at that! ”In case you didn't know, vampires can't impregnate a human. We have other means of procreation. We also don't carry disease. The ultimate safe s.e.x, wouldn't you agree?”
”What the h.e.l.l does that have to do with any of this?”
”I'm just reminding you there are certain advantages to a vampire lover.” Quentin's face hardened to stone. ”How could you go to him with the scent of me still on your skin? My come dripping from you?”
”That's enough.” Joe shoved Quentin away from Darcy.
”Joe.” Darcy's stricken gaze held her partner's for a long moment.
Disgust was written in the sour curl of his lips. ”I'll be in the kitchen. Yell if he needs killing.” Without a backward glance, Joe left Quentin and Darcy alone in the back yard.
Darcy's eyes narrowed, and she pointed her finger at him. ”Now, look here. We f.u.c.ked. That doesn't give you any hold over me. I could screw an entire football team, and it wouldn't be any of your d.a.m.n business.”
Quentin drew in a deep breath to let loose on her, and then realized he was truly angry-over a woman. He'd shared dozens-no, hundreds-of women in his lifetime. Why was the thought of sharing this one so repellent? Then he realized what she'd just said. ”While I share your bed, there will be no footballers anywhere near you.”
”Footballers? Football players, jerk. And I didn't say I would be sharing your bed.”
Quentin stepped closer and caught her by the waist, pressing his lower body hard against hers. ”Aren't you?”
”You arrogant a.s.s-”
”Such language! Mustn't let your temper fly, love.”
She wriggled to escape his hold, but he held her fast.
”That's it! I'm gonna take you down. You and the batwings you flew in on!”
Quentin kissed her.
She pushed against his chest, but her lips told a different story. They melted beneath his.
He lifted his head. ”Are we having our first row?”
”You bet your a.s.s!” Her hands tugged at his hair and pulled him down for a second kiss. She parted her lips and thrust her tongue into his mouth where it lapped the tip of his.
Quentin grabbed her arms and held her away from his rapidly hardening body. ”I won't share you with your partner.”
Darcy's gaze fell from his. ”Nothing happened.” She looked up. ”Nothing important.”
He raised one eyebrow. His sense of smell never let him down.
”Not really,” she said quietly. ”He stopped it.”
Disturbed she hadn't been the one to halt the love play, Quentin's hands tightened around her arms. ”You'll share my bed.”
She held up a hand. ”Only until the investigation is over. And the bed's mine, by the way.”
Satisfied she'd surrendered to his will, he said, ”Not while I occupy it. I'm in charge of that particular fire.”
Chapter Four.
Later, armed with the sketch of Nicholas Powell, their serial-killing target, the SU team hit the known vampire haunts-the ”blood bank” bars and the streetwalkers' corners. Joe, Quentin, and Darcy, however, were headed to the seedier destinations-accessed by invitation only-vampire escorts required.
Places the team had only dreamed of infiltrating before Quentin provided entry.
The first was a nondescript house in an average subdivision. Pa.s.sing swing sets and manicured lawns, Darcy exchanged a glance with Joe. This could be her neighborhood. Suburban Vero Beach hid dark secrets.
”How'd you find this place?” Joe asked, as he turned onto a long gravel drive. The house wasn't visible from the road. Chain-link fencing surrounded the yard, which was overgrown with vines and an occasional palm tree. The drive ended in a circle, with vehicles parked b.u.mper to b.u.mper in a long row.
”Tessa told me where I could find a meal,” Quentin said quietly.
Darcy fumed. Tessa had been the blonde-haired vamp who'd rubbed her body all over Quentin's while they'd danced in a dark corner of the Piki Tiki bar.
”What do we need to know?” Joe asked, all business as he parked the car.
”Just follow my lead and do whatever I tell you.” Quentin glared at Darcy for a moment.
She wondered what that glare meant.
The trio exited the car and approached the front door, which was illuminated by a single naked bulb. A low thrumming rhythm sounded from within the small, square, one-story house.
Quentin ignored the doorbell and pushed open the door.
Joe raised his eyebrows and shrugged, and then indicated Darcy should precede him.
The smell within the house was pure sin.
Sickly-sweet opium, cannabis smoke, and stale s.e.x hung in the warm air. Music with a heavy, grinding Latin beat emanated from deep within the house.
Darcy's fingers itched for her bow, but they had come weaponless.
A woman approached them. She wore a pareo knotted at one hip, and nothing else. Her gaze roamed over Quentin, and she flicked her long, bleached-blonde hair over her shoulder to expose her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s. ”Hey, stranger. Need a pick-me-up?”
<script>