Chapter 9 #2
Playing on Alexander’s vampiric, possessive instincts worked. His lip curled and he hissed, “You’re mine tonight.”
“Possessive, much?” Tobias smirked, and didn’t try to hide it. “If that’s the case, what could be more important than staying with me? Don’t you want to protect me from all the drunk, horny people lingering around?”
“I wish I could.” Alexander’s gaze darkened. Tobias could tell he was struggling with his answer. But when it came out, there was a finality to it. “I’ve been asked to look into something. A family matter. Forgive me for the secrecy, but I’m mostly protecting you from ruining your night.”
“Sounds bad.”
Alexander leaned in, and placed a gentle peck to his cheek. Even if Tobias wanted to stop it, which he didn’t, it took him by surprise. Alexander kept his lips to his skin as he grabbed the back of his neck and anchored himself to him.
“Not as bad as you think. And remember, tonight you are mine,” Alexander growled when he pulled back, only enough to nip at Tobias’ earlobe with his teeth. “I think that will keep any hopeful suitors away, at least for a few minutes.”
Tobias was left speechless as Alexander released him and patted him on the arse. Immobilised, he watched Alexander walk off, slinking into the smoke-infested darkness of the club’s outer edges.
It was both infuriating, and amusing, that the vampire truly believed Tobias was going to just listen to his command.
He waited until Alexander was out of sight before following.
Tobias shouldn’t have – it was too risky after his erratic behaviour the night prior.
But the further he went, the more his body itched with discomfort and the more his own predatory instinct took hold.
Because Alexander wasn’t going anywhere but out of the very back door Tobias had encouraged the girl out of.
Where he had taken her and nearly killed her.
Tobias should’ve waited. It was clear Alexander knew… something. Enough to come looking here. He’d said it was a family matter, but the more he pried, the riskier Tobias’ position became.
He had to be smart.
Tobias watched from the shadows as Alexander knelt on the ground, ran his longer fingers across the gravel, and brought it to his nose. The action was strange, unnatural, and yet obvious to Tobias.
He’d seen enough. Slowly, he removed his foot from the fire exit door and let it close.
Alexander was searching for a scent.
If Tobias thought his reaction last night would ruin his chance at getting close enough to Alexander for an invite to Rothburn, this would truly fuck everything up.
If Alexander pried deep enough, he would discover that the girl had been out that fateful night, celebrating the new job she had been offered.
The job was research assistant to Alexander Damianos himself.
A position Tobias also had applied for, but missed out on due to his extremely obvious lack of experience as any kind of researcher.
Tobias was never one to entertain anxiety.
He knew that action was the way to resolve stress, so he made a plan.
As he ordered them both drinks with Alexander’s card, he knew that tonight his attempts to infatuate Alexander enough to invite him home again had to be ramped up.
He would do anything – anything – to make that happen.
He had to keep him interested, and unsuspecting, especially if he were looking into the attacks.
Just as he’d felt as though his grasp on control was solidifying, it slipped away once more. Nothing was more frightening than someone ruled by desperation. And right then, in that moment, Tobias was the epitome of the word.
An arm slipped behind his waist. Tobias didn’t need to turn around to know Alexander had returned. “I see that you’re safe from unwanted suitors.”
“I am,” he forced out, his throat dry as chalk. “How was your ‘family issue’?”
“Still open ended,” Alexander replied, voice void of emotion. “But it’s not my issue for any longer tonight. I’ve handed it over to my sister for the time being. Which means no more distraction.”
Distractions, like looking into an attack which I perpetrated? “That’s good to hear. Although I’m sure I could conjure up a few ways to distract you if you need a break from all the drama.”
Alexander leaned in close. Tobias thought it was going to be for another kiss, until he reached over and took the slim glass from the bar.
It was a classic gin and tonic, a drink Tobias knew Alexander loved from his years of stalking.
He had ordered two, and it came in handy with helping wet his throat.
“If those ideas involve you, your body, or company, I’d hardly call that a distraction. That has negative connotations.”
“No?” Tobias said, his tone seductive as he peered up at Alexander through his pale lashes. “Then what would you call it?”
“An earned reward,” Alexander answered, capturing his straw between his perfectly white teeth. “One I look forward to only after we dance our worries away. Come on. I like this song.”
“Alright. After all, we wouldn’t want to delay that reward, would we?”
Alexander dragged him into the heart of the club. Once they got onto the dance floor, sweaty swaying bodies walled around them, Alexander spun him around until his arse was pressed against Alexander. Tobias began to move in sync with the rhythm.
It was absolutely no surprise that by the end of the first song, Alexander was as hard as rock.