No, the woman hadn’t just said that to him.
Her smile came then, a slow curl that lit her face, then her eyes. “Maybe better than nice.”
A tease. Should have known it.
Her bare legs shifted against his jean-clad thighs.
“A lot better,” he told her definitely.
One blond brow rose.
“The best you ever had,” he continued, keeping his lips flat when they wanted to lift in response to the furrow that appeared between the brows.
Dee blinked, a long, slow blink. “You don’t know what I’ve had.”
He bit back the sudden fury that rose in him. “Don’t want to know,” he gritted.
Her fingers slid between them and reached for the button on the jeans. “Let’s see what happens when we have—”
His jaw clenched. Now this was the painful part. His balls would be blue all day long. “I’ve got to leave, babe.”
“What?” Surprise there. Hurt?
Maybe. A good sign.
He rose from the couch and didn’t bother dragging his gaze off her naked body as he straightened his own clothes.
She didn’t bother to cover up. “Where are you going?”
“To take one very cold shower.” Honesty, finally. Kind of felt good to be honest with her.
Her brows pulled low in confusion as she asked, “Why?”
Because sex right then wasn’t the way to gain her trust. The way to gain some hard, fast pleasure, hell yeah, but not the way to get to his end goal. “Because we’re going to be more than a fast f**k, Sandra Dee.”
“Dee.” Her br**sts heaved as she straightened. Gorgeous. Maybe he’d have one more taste.
He bent toward her and swiped his tongue over her nipple. Yes.
Could have been his sigh. Could have been hers.
Leave.
A hard suck on that nipple, then he pulled back. “The hours before dawn are hard, aren’t they?”
Her breath came fast. “Wh-what are you doing to me?”
Everything he could.
“You needed me to fight the dark. You called, I came.” Well, not quite the coming he would have liked. “Remember that. I gave but I didn’t take a single thing from you.”
Next time, he wouldn’t be so nice. Especially since being nice wasn’t really in his genetic makeup.
His gaze dropped to her sex. He could still taste her. His teeth snapped together.
She rose but didn’t bother reaching for her clothes. What was she trying to do to him?
He could lift her up, shove into her, and take the woman right there. Dee was so light, he’d hold her and thrust and make her scream.
Pleasure, not pain.
Because he could do that, too, no matter what the whispers said.
“I don’t understand you,” she said.
“I think you understand me better than anyone else.” He let the words fall between them and managed to drag his gaze up to hers. “I did my research, Dee, just like I know you did yours.”
Not even a flicker of expression. But she reached for her shirt. Tugged it on with steady hands.
“We both know what it’s like when the monsters come.” He wouldn’t say anything else. Couldn’t.
Simon turned away and marched for the door. Dee didn’t stop him. He didn’t expect her to. That was, after all, part of the plan.
When he yanked open her door, the first rays of sunlight hit him.
Dawn.
He glanced back. “More than a f**k, Dee.” So much more. “When you need me, you know how to find me.”
Squaring his shoulders, he headed into the light.
And not once did he glance back.
Chapter 4
When night fell, coming with its thick, hot darkness and moonless sky, Dee headed back to Onyx.
There’d been no sign of the woman since their last encounter, and she’d spent all day using every one of Night Watch’s contacts in hope of finding Sunshine.
No luck.
So Dee figured she’d better let the woman find her again.
And that was why her butt was parked once again at the bar.
Her gaze scanned the crowd. Pretty light since it was only a little past nine. The heavy hitters would come in later.
Her stare tracked across the room, not lingering too long, looking for the tall, muscled length of—
“Hell.” Dee ground her back teeth together as she caught herself. The object was to find the woman from last night, not Chase.
Not the man who’d given her a fast, hard ride straight into one of her better orgasms, then walked away.
Walked away.
What had been up with that?
More than a f**k. She spun toward the bartender. “A beer, Mike. The cheaper, the better.” One drink, that was all she ever allowed herself when she hunted. A big, long glass mirror ran the length of the bar and Dee stared at her reflection. Wow—was that her hair? Maybe she should—
Her eyes locked on a man. Black hair. Broad shoulders. Tall, strong. Don’t-give-a-damn swagger.
Chase.
Her breath eased out.
The man was double-timing it to the exit.
Running from her?
Or chasing something? Someone?
“Hold the beer.” She shoved away from the bar. “Be back in five.” The exit door had already swung shut, but Dee rushed forward. If there was a hunt, she’d be in on the action. And if there wasn’t…
Well, she had a few things to say to Mr. More Than A Fuck.
Her fingers clamped around the door knob. Just in case, she went out silently, armed, ready.
But no one was there. Just an empty back lot.
What the hell?
“You did well.” The vampire stared into the human female’s eyes, enjoying the soft ebb and flow of her blood. Her heart raced as he crossed to her. With every step, the blood flowed faster.
She smiled at him. “She was right where you said she’d be. All alone.” A quick swipe of her tongue across those ripe red lips. “I-I could have killed her for you. I would have.”
Such an eager little helper. “I know.” He trailed his fingertip down her cheek. Lisa. He didn’t remember her last name. Didn’t care.
“I’d do anything for you,” she whispered and her eyes were so wide and blue. “Anything.”
Because she wanted to live forever. Because Lisa, with her thin thighs and her big br**sts and her perfect face, was aging. Slowly. One faint line at a time.
“I’m not afraid to kill.” Her chin lifted even as she swayed toward him.
His fangs lengthened. He’d love to have one more taste of her. Fresh blood was always the best. “No, you’ve proven that.” She’d brought prey to him that very first night. His fingers trailed down her throat and curled over that frantic pulse. “But are you afraid to die?”