Chapter 9
Nine
Philippe leaned against the back wall of the elevator as he rode up to Rafe’s penthouse.
The previous night had been spent deep in discussion with Ezra and Jullien as he battled his building sense of guilt and dishonesty.
He couldn’t go on deceiving Rafe. Ezra had argued most of the night that Philippe’s current plan was a horrible idea.
Jullien had been disturbingly quiet. Philippe wasn’t sure which bothered him more—Ezra’s outspoken dissent or Jullien’s disapproving silence.
But he had to shove those uneasy feelings aside.
He’d made his decision, and he knew it was the right one.
Ezra and Jullien didn’t understand simply because Philippe couldn’t tell them the whole story.
They didn’t see Rafe with Gideon, didn’t understand he was protective of his own people the same way Philippe was protective of his clan. Rafe wasn’t a threat to the Arsenaults.
And Rafe needed to know the truth if he was going to be of any help locating Piper. Philippe had to believe she was still alive.
The doors slid open, sending a little chime echoing through the penthouse.
Philippe cautiously stepped off the elevator.
Music played loudly, likely overwhelming the announcing ping.
He didn’t want to surprise Rafe with his sudden presence, even if the doorman had already called up to announce his arrival.
He couldn’t imagine any vampire liked being unaware in his own lair.
He reached the living room as Rafe was walking out of the hall that led to his bedroom.
A pair of black slacks lightly caressed his powerful legs while a dark-red button-down shirt was draped over his shoulders.
The open front revealed a tantalizing view of his chest and flat stomach with the softest hint of hard abs.
All bruising and other markings from two nights ago were long gone.
In one hand, he carried a pair of black leather boots. He paused in his steps toward the couch and smiled at Philippe. Leaning down, he grabbed a remote from a shelf and turned off the music so that they were wrapped in a near-suffocating silence.
“So sorry. I’m running a bit behind this evening. Slept in,” Rafe said as he returned the remote to the coffee table.
“An eventful night last night?”
Rafe flashed him a strange smile Philippe wasn’t quite sure how to interpret.
“It was interesting.” He dropped his boots beside the sofa and turned toward Philippe, a speculative look entering his eyes.
“You look like you could use a little rest.” He tilted his head toward the hallway.
“My bed is just through there. We could take some time. I could help you relax.”
Philippe kept walking straight to Rafe until he could feel the body heat pouring off him. His cologne filled the air between them, but Philippe could still smell Rafe. His blood. His musky, delicious desire.
He didn’t want to admit it—they’d known each other such a short time—but he’d missed Rafe last night. A part of him wished the Variks had been there to discuss his thoughts. And then of course, there was the sexual temptation.
“I am fairly certain going to bed with you would not be a relaxing endeavor,” Philippe murmured.
His palms fucking itched to reach out and touch him.
To place his hands flat against Rafe’s stomach and travel upward until he pushed the shirt off his shoulders.
He wanted to bare all of him to his eyes, his hands…
his mouth. He wouldn’t be satisfied until this beautiful creature was stretched out beneath him, writhing and grasping at the bedsheets as he begged for more.
“But the end result would be so very relaxing,” Rafe argued in a low, rough voice.
Philippe closed his eyes and took a deep breath, drawing Rafe into his lungs. “Is…is this real? I’ve heard whispers. That you can get inside the mind…maybe illusions…”
Strong hands grabbed Philippe’s waist, and he groaned at the press of Rafe’s body along his. So much wonderful heat, and the hard pressure of his cock rubbing against his own.
“Does this not feel real to you?” Rafe growled.
Philippe’s self-restraint slipped a little, and he wrapped his arms around Rafe, locking them together.
One hand snaked down to grasp a taut ass cheek while the other was splayed across his back.
Rafe hissed and thrust his hips forward, rubbing against Philippe’s quickly thickening cock.
They both swore softly, and Philippe turned his face, brushing his lips against Rafe’s bare neck.
“I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you. Things I want to do to you. To possess you,” Philippe said.
Rafe’s hands tightened on Philippe’s hips, and a little shudder ran the length of his frame. “It’s all real. Why would I ever want someone who doesn’t want me? I’ve never used my gift on you.”
Philippe squeezed his eyes shut even tighter. Rafe’s words were weaving a different kind of spell around him. He wanted to taste him and drink in all the pleasure Rafe was offering, but he couldn’t. Not until Rafe knew the truth about Piper and the rest of his clan.
There was already something growing between them. It was small and fragile. He could see it in Rafe’s worried eyes. He felt it when the vampire protected him from the shooter. Philippe couldn’t accept the intense pleasure Rafe was offering without first telling him the truth.
Sucking in a harsh breath, Philippe forced himself to release Rafe and take a couple of steps back. Cold air rushed in between them, and its touch was painful against his heated flesh. He wanted to burrow deep inside of him until they both screamed through their orgasms.
“We’re taking a small detour tonight,” Philippe announced.
He inwardly winced. Even his own voice was too harsh to his ears.
It took him a moment, but he managed to meet Rafe’s questioning gaze.
“I want to take you to Arsenault Manor. Explain a few things. I…I haven’t been entirely forthcoming in my information regarding Piper. ”
To Philippe’s surprise, Rafe gave him a lazy grin as he reached down and boldly adjusted himself. “Hiding things from me? I’m shocked,” he said, but he sounded far from it.
“I’ll meet you in the garage,” Philippe said before turning toward the elevator.
Rafe’s laughter filled the penthouse. “You don’t have to leave. I can behave myself.”
“I can’t,” Philippe muttered under his breath as he jabbed the elevator call button. From the fresh laughter rippling from Rafe, it was clear the vampire heard him.
Philippe could only breathe again when he was in the safety of the elevator as it whisked him down to the garage level.
The entire encounter had lasted no more than a couple of minutes, but he felt shaken and drained.
He leaned against the wall and scrubbed his hand over his face.
Rafe might not be using his power on Philippe, but there was something so intense and magnetic about him.
It left Philippe wanting to toss everything aside, to forget about the world and simply wrap himself around Rafe until there was nothing else.
It was more than a little stunning that Rafe seemed to return his desire.
From the stories he heard from Ezra and Jullien, as well as what he saw at Blush, Rafe could have his pick of any human or vampire, it would seem.
And from what Rafe had boldly posted on his Instagram account, he very frequently did.
Philippe wandered over to Rafe’s car but had to wait only a few minutes before Rafe’s determined footsteps echoed through the concrete parking area. Dressed in a mix of black and deep red, he looked like a sexy grim reaper. Or maybe just a nightclub owner.
Holding up the keys, Rafe jingled them and smiled. “Want to drive?”
“No, definitely not.”
Rafe chuckled and unlocked the doors. Philippe was relieved to find the interior smelled only of leather and that vague new-car smell. They didn’t speak beyond Philippe giving Rafe directions to the house. Rafe’s mood didn’t seem grim, but he was at least taking the moment seriously.
After nearly half an hour, Rafe pulled the car up the long driveway and parked in front of the sprawling two-story home.
Philippe tried to see the home from an outsider’s eyes.
It was a nice home, even if it was starting to look a little rundown and ragged in places.
The yard was overgrown and hadn’t been tended since they moved in.
The white paint looked a little dingy and worn.
And the windows were covered with thick curtains, blocking out all light and warning away possible visitors.
He wordlessly led Rafe inside, where they were met by Ezra as he stood at the foot of the grand staircase.
With arms folded tightly across his chest, he glared at Rafe.
The other vampire smirked at him, appearing to be completely unperturbed by the less-than-warm welcome.
Philippe could feel others close by, likely watching Rafe from the safety of the shadows.
“Enough, Ezra. Go hunt,” Philippe snapped before directing Rafe into the library.
Rafe winked at him and disappeared into the room while Philippe walked over to Ezra.
“You shouldn’t have brought him here,” Ezra growled in a rough whisper, though Philippe didn’t doubt Rafe heard him.
“He deserves to know the truth if the Variks are going to be of any help to us.”
“We don’t need their help or the trouble they bring,” Ezra said. “Everyone knows the Variks are dangerous and reckless.”
“And I don’t need this headache. We’ve discussed it, and I’ve made my decision. I’m doing what’s best for the entire clan.”
“It’s a mistake. Jullien thinks that as well. You usually will listen to him when you won’t listen to me. I can only guess he’s already wrapped you in some kind of spell.”