Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
REGAN
“What about that one?” Andreas sat next to me in a booth with high walls, dark lighting, and only a small table between us.
Christmas decorations hung from the walls and dim, twinkling lights slowly flickered.
The pub was full of patrons dressed in an array of Santa-themed costumes and Christmas music played.
I wrinkled my nose and shook my head. “Nah, he’s not hot enough.”
He sat back in the booth and the leather groaned under his movements. A glass of dark whiskey sat in front of him. He grabbed it up and swirled it around, then took a deep sip. “You’re gonna have to pick one. I filled this place with options just for you.”
“So you got a bunch of guys to show up at a pub with no other information than be at this pub at nine o’clock tonight?”
He offered a casual shrug. “I have a lot of . . . friends.”
“Riiigghhttt.” The pub was packed to the rim with Santas mixed with the men that Andreas had asked here.
They stood out among a sea of red and white glitter.
Everything else in the pub was dark wood—the walls, the floor, the bar, even the furniture.
Behind the bar bottles lined the wall with a single light cast down on them.
The light caught on the glass and the shining liquid within.
“I’m not all bad, Regan.” His voice was smooth and calm.
“No, you’re good at a few things.” I chuckled as images of us in his car and in my dressing room flashed through my mind.
He licked his lips and leaned in closer to me. “More than a few. You’ve only had a sampling so far.”
Why was I also leaning in closer to him?
I loved his scent and the cocky way he looked at me, as if he knew exactly what to do with my body and when to do it.
I reached forward and snagged up my own drink and took a deep sip.
When the ice hit my lips, it shocked me to realize that I’d nearly finished it. “Cocky vampire.”
“It’s not cocky if it’s true.” He sat back, relaxing into the seat.
With that one statement, he sent my mind whirling about all the possibilities of what exactly Andreas could do.
So far he was damn good at everything and had me curious about what else was in his bag of tricks.
The downside was he was the worst possible option to do any of this with.
But now I had a very clear picture of how Chanel felt, and I understood the appeal.
I more than understood it. Hell, I might’ve been worse, because all I’d seen her do was kiss Kaso, and here I was too close and wanting to be closer to Andreas.
Hypocrite much, Regan? I needed a distraction, something, anything to get me to stop thinking about his hands, his mouth, and . . . other things. I glanced around the pub. “Chanel is gonna be here any minute. We should focus.”
His golden eyes roamed over my body. “I am focused.”
“On setting her up.” I tried to turn away from him and look at the offerings he pulled together.
I pointed toward a taller vampire with long dark hair that ran down past his shoulders. He had vivid blue eyes and was bulkier than Kaso and Andreas. His clothing was chic and pressed. “How about him?”
Andreas followed my gaze. “Him? You like him, do you?”
There was a tinge of jealousy in his voice. “For. Chanel. Remember that’s why we’re here?”
“Right.” He motioned to a fae man who was prettier than all of us put together. “How about him?”
He had long, flowing blond hair down to his waist and sea-green eyes. His lips were a smooth seashell pink. Glitter tinged his cheeks, giving him that ethereal glow. Hell, he might’ve looked like more of an angel than us.
I wrinkled my nose and shook my head. “Too pretty.”
He gave a scoffing laugh. “Fair enough.”
“This is going to be difficult. She has a type.” I couldn’t imagine trying to find a replacement that would catch my interest the way Andreas had, and now here I was looking for someone to replace the interest she had in Kaso.
“Yeah, and that is?”
“Tall, dark, handsome, difficult, and someone who isn’t afraid of her.” I took another sip of my drink.
“There aren’t going to be many men who aren’t afraid of either of you.
” He slid closer and closed the distance between us.
His thigh was flush against mine, and he ran his fingers over my thigh in slow sensual circles.
Though it was winter, I’d worn a simple plaid skirt, matching black sweater, and knee-high boots.
My thighs were exposed, and he took full advantage.
His fingertip didn’t stop those slow, light circles. “I’m not.”
Heat exploded where he touched me, and I nearly forgot why we’d come here in the first place. “That much is obvious.”
“You like that I’m not scared of you.” He lowered his lips to my ear, and I felt his breath drift over my skin.
I cleared my throat and nodded toward another man. This one was even bigger than the last with half of his dark hair shaved tight to his head and piercings going up his ear. “He might do nicely.”
Andreas growled low in my ear. “I don’t think I like you pointing out other men.”
That growl sent a shiver down my spine, and I turned toward him. Our lips were only inches apart. “It’s the job, right?”
“Right.” He smoothly agreed, yet his fingers stopped that circling on my thigh. Instead, he grabbed it and gave it a little squeeze.
I wanted to lean in and taste his full lips, just to be sure they were as delicious as I remembered.
I licked my lips and his eyes darted down to my mouth.
My lips parted and I leaned toward him just as the pub erupted into cheers.
I jerked back and looked toward the door.
Chanel had just arrived in her full Chanegan gear.
Her hot-pink hair stood out among the dark decor of the room.
Sequins covered her Mrs. Claus costume and thigh-high silver boots.
All the men that Andreas invited seemed to gravitate toward her, as well as the humans in their Santa costumes.
“She’s right on time,” he whispered.
“I knew she would be.” If Chanel told me she’d be here, she absolutely would. I ducked down so she wouldn’t see me just yet.
His hand clamped around my wrist and my body was jerked sideways.
The room spun and suddenly I wasn’t in the pub anymore.
Andreas stood outside the bathroom door, then shoved the door open.
He pulled me inside and slammed the door shut behind him.
His golden eyes glowed as he looked me up and down.
His tongue darted over one of his fangs and he sucked on it as though he was trying to decide where to start first.
“What are you doing?” I squirmed under his gaze.
“Taking a break from our . . . job.” He took a step toward me, and I backed up against the door.
“In a bathroom?”
“You got a better idea?” He was on me in a second. Our breath mingled for a second before his lips crashed against mine. I shoved my hands into his hair and yanked him closer.
I didn’t have any better ideas, but here and now was feeling like the best decision ever.
His hands ran down my body and pressed into my thigh.
He lifted one of my knees and hooked my leg around his hip as our tongues wound together.
His chocolatey flavor invaded my mouth. His hand slid between us to the edge of my silky underwear.
He let his finger drift up and down my core with the silky fabric between us.
My hips curled to his touch of their own accord.
He gave a dark, masculine chuckle. “Want me to keep going?”
“If you stop, I’ll kill you.” I curled the leg I had wrapped around his hip, pulling him closer.
“I just wanted to get permission.”
“My legs are open, aren’t they?” I curled my hand in his shirt and yanked him closer to me.
Our lips crashed together once more, and I didn’t hesitate to open my mouth and let my tongue twist with his.
Andreas hooked his fingers into the lace of my underwear, and with a single yank he ripped them free from my body.
Did he just put those in his pocket? Before I could ask, his fingers were on me and all thought left my mind.
He found that perfect spot and just like he’d done on my thigh, made those small circles.
Warmth flooded my belly, spread through the rest of my body, and pooled low between my legs.
A moan escaped my lips and Andreas gave an answering growl.
He tilted his head to the side and pressed his lips against my neck and tickled his tongue against my skin.
I reached between us and yanked at his belt buckle.
Andreas groaned but didn’t stop those maddening circles.
They grew faster and a whimper passed through my lips as yanked the button free and pushed the zipper of his pants down.
Andreas pulled back and met my eye. “You sure?”
I was too far gone now. I didn’t care where we were or who might know. I needed more and I needed it now. Desire like I’d never known thrummed through me. In answer to his question, I hopped off the ground and threw my other leg around his hips. “I’m sure.”
He easily held me there with my skirt shoved up to my waist. I was naked to him and pulling him in toward me.
With one hand spread across my ass, he held me up, and with the other he reached between us to palm himself.
He curled his hips and he was there, pressing into me.
He was so hot, so strong. My nails dug into his shoulders as I spurred him on, rolling my own hips.
Ever so slowly we both moved together, getting closer and closer until he filled me completely.
“Fuckkk,” he breathed and pressed his forehead to mine. “You’re perfect.”
“Less talking, more moving.” I rolled my hips and he groaned.
That one movement spurred him on. His eyes bore into mine as he really started to move.
A devilish smile played on his lips with each earth-shattering thrust. He spun around and slammed my back into a wall.
His hands cupped my ass as he drove harder.
I threw my head back and moaned. My eyes slid shut and all I could do was feel the press of his body, the way he moved between my legs, and his breath on my neck.
“Harder, Andreas,” I commanded, and he obeyed.
He twisted around and we smacked into another wall. It dented behind my back and I didn’t care. The feel of Andreas moving within me was all I could think of, all that I wanted.
Andreas licked my neck and lifted my chin, giving himself space to move.
“Do it.”
“What?” He grunted.
“If I have to tell you . . .” My words drifted off on a moan.
His chest rumbled with a deep chuckle, then he licked the side of my neck, preparing me.
His lips rolled back from his teeth and his fangs extended.
A second later he struck and a jolt of pain and pleasure shot through my body.
Heat tightened low in my stomach and pleasure rocked me from my toes to my head.
Ecstasy rocked through me, and I tightened around him.
A scream ripped from my lips, and I felt Andreas quicken his pace.
It became hitched, more out of control as I came around him.
His body shuddered and he followed me down that dark hole of pleasure that never seemed to end.
There was only me and him, our mingled breaths, and pleasure like I’d never known.
As I came down from the heavenly pleasure, he slowed to a stop and pressed his forehead to mine.
My chest heaved and our breaths mingled together.
Sweat soaked his body, and his suit coat was torn to shreds from my nails.
I unhooked my legs from behind his back and he slid free of me.
Tingles covered my body and the muscles in my legs still quivered.
Andreas let me put my feet down, but he didn’t back away as he straightened his clothing and refastened his belt.
I slowly caught my breath and smirked up at him.
He returned my smile and ran his hand over his hair. “Not so bad.”
“Not bad at all.” I went up on my tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to his lips. I held my hand out to him. “My underwear, please.”
He scoffed. “Not a chance. They’re mine now.”
I ran my hands over my hair, trying to straighten it, and sighed. My feelings were a violent mix of pure pleasure and pure guilt. But when I looked at Andreas, I couldn’t stop from wanting him again. Then I squeezed my eyes shut. “We did it in a bathroom.”
“I know.” I could hear the smirk in his voice. His hand slid into mine and he gave it a little squeeze. My eyes flashed open, and the smile was gone. “I wouldn’t change it, but next time, I’ll make it so much more.”
“Next time?” My eyebrows shot up. “There can’t be a next time.”
“Regan.” He sighed. “What if I want there to be?”
My heart sped. I wanted there to be a next time, but there couldn’t be.
We couldn’t do this. We were polar opposites: I was a Virtue, he was a criminal.
I needed order and he was chaos. Nothing about this or us made sense.
But the fire between us was there, and even I could admit it was hot, so fucking hot.
Too hot. I didn’t know what to say to that.
It was so tempting, yet so not good. It was too much.
My mind was a whirl of why I shouldn’t do this but also all the reasons why I absolutely should.
One thing was for sure: I couldn’t figure it out this close to him with his bite still burning my neck and his heat still between my legs. “I need to think.”
I headed straight for the door and yanked it open and came to a sharp stop. “Shit.”
Chanel stood there leaning against the wall across from the bathroom with her arms crossed over her chest. Her green eyes narrowed at me and then she glanced to Andreas behind me.
I could only imagine what I looked like with my rumpled outfit, sex hair, and a bite on my neck.
I pulled my shirt lower and flipped my hair to cover my neck.
I licked my lips and tried to steady my voice. “Chanel, we were just—”
“Save it. I have better hearing than a human, but I assure you I wasn’t the only one who heard you scream his name.” Waves of pissed off flowed from her right at me. She arched her eyebrows at me. “Hypocrite is a new look for you, Cousin.”