Century-Long Lothario #2
Phillip glanced over his shoulder to some drunk club patrons, their eyes finding the two of us the second they came close.
“We need to go,” Phillip said softly, brushing away my drying tears with his thumbs before getting to his feet.
“We’re booking a red-eye flight from here.
I can’t chance another ten hours of driving. ”
Licking my lips, I nodded and quickly shut the car door.
We made it to Austria and traveled back roads to Phillip’s little piece of quaint heaven. I expected something gaudy and luxurious. Instead, I got a cottage covered in plant life and far removed from society.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” the Hunter introduced with a posh bow, mocking grin visible the minute he looked up. “It’s not much, but it’s been my personal home since I was given permission to leave my little room the Organization imprisoned me inside for thirty years.”
Imprisoned?
I opened my mouth, not expecting the bombshell window into his past, but Phillip pivoted and strode purposefully through the front door.
After standing for long minutes alone outside of the house, the breeze gone and the air afflicted by so much magic even I could sense its presence, I finally followed the other Hunter inside.
Like its homey exterior, the interior was just as cozy.
Everything was turn-of-the-century and well-kept.
Everything had its place and was surprisingly clean.
The living room was orderly and perfectly filled with little trinkets he’d probably gathered over the many years of his existence.
Nothing about the home suggested its owner was a highly trained, incredibly lethal killer.
If anything, it was a home loved and owned proudly.
“It’s sweet,” I commented, traveling the length of his bookcase and reading the embroidered names of many recognizable classics.
Phillip came over and took a book from the shelf. “One of my absolute favorites.”
“Jane Austen?”
“She was brilliant. A real gem of her time. Full of class but prone to let her tongue lash out the same way Elizabeth Bennet’s did. I adored her.” Phillip caressed the front of the book, then opened it. “She was even kind enough to sign this.”
Wait, what?!
Mouth gaping, I stared down at the open page and noticed the fluid penmanship addressed to Phillip with affection. “Please tell me you didn’t bang Jane Austen.”
Phillip’s eyebrow rose. “Is that what you think of me?”
“Well, did you?”
“No.” He responded coolly. “But not from a lack of trying.”
I scoffed unattractively. “So, there’s women out there who’ve rejected you. I like her even more now.”
Phillip’s grin was sly. “It was a different time then. I couldn’t persuade her.”
“Meaning she was too clever for you. Wished I was that clever. Would’ve saved me a lot of effort.”
“Is that what you’ve convinced yourself?”
Lips thinning, I glared at him. “It’s the truth.”
“If you say so.” Gazing tenderly at the book in my hand, Phillip sighed wistfully. “Only five years later, she passed away.”
“She did?”
Phillip’s lips quirked up in their usual sexy way. “Thought you were her fan? Didn’t know she died at forty-one?”
I grumbled to myself, not making eye contact. “Well, now I know. So, you were…friends?”
He chuckled lightly, humming to himself.
“In a way, yes. We shared acquaintances, and I just happened to be required at a function she attended. She was witty and dazzling, but in a way that I hadn’t encountered with many humans.
I wished I could say our time together was profound, but not likely.
I only stayed in her company for maybe a fortnight before moving onto my next assignment. ”
I’d never tell him, but his laughter was the best thing after a shit night and long-ass plane flight. It was rich and made him look younger, more alive, and I did whatever I could without realizing to get him to do it again.
“But she obviously had an impact on your life if you talk about her like that,” I commented, not entirely sure why my throat burned. “Was she…killed?”
The Hunter’s smile was poignant. “Thankfully, no. Eros and I—” He stopped abruptly, as if catching himself. “No. I hadn’t made my mark on this world at that point.”
Eros?
It was evident he derailed, and I didn’t have it in me to chase after whatever Phillip kept to himself. So, I flicked my gaze back down to the book in my hands, sweeping my palm across its cover. “Any other personally addressed novels in this bookcase?”
“Loads,” he retorted happily.
I eyed the man skeptically. “Were they clever enough to evade your advances?”
“Jane was one of very few, so no.”
Throat on fire, I huffed a petulant sigh. “Knew you’d be a several-century-long Lothario, but hadn’t pegged you as the type to keep a home full of trophies,” I spat angrily. Angry at myself mostly.
You knew he’s a player, V. You knew better than anyone else. Why are you getting heated over a bookcase full of past sex partners?
“What, you jelly?”
I rolled my eyes and tried to hide how he’d been spot on. “No one, and I repeat no one says that, Phil. Are you trying to get smacked tonight?”
“Maybe a little,” he mused seductively, his hand rubbing over the tattoos on his neck. “Can’t pretend I’m not interested if you’re the one offering.”
“Ugh, gross,” I complained.
“Wait, you say jelly all the time.”
I grinned to myself. “Unlike you, I’m a teenage girl and can use it ironically. You just sound like a gross old man.”
“Thought you didn’t want me to treat you like a kid?”
I was going to murder this dude by the end of the night.
“Shut it.”
“Or you’ll spank me? I’m game.”
“I seriously can’t with you,” I whined, not at all entertained.
Phillip’s laughter rang out as I spitefully but very carefully returned the book to its spot. After a sideways glance, I turned away and checked out the rest of the room. He trailed me until I’d done a thorough once-over, and then things went quiet between us.
For obvious reasons, we hadn’t discussed what happened with Cassius or what we learned.
It wasn’t safe to mention it in public. But now that we were safely tucked away in his well-protected home, I didn’t have any reason not to revisit the conversation.
But I really didn’t want to. Things had finally settled down between us.
I wasn’t angry at him anymore. I mean, not really.
Even if I was, Phillip was one of few allies, and I couldn’t squander what few people I had in my life right now.
I needed him.
No, you want him.
I brushed back stray red hair and collapsed onto the sofa, not ready to delve any deeper into my feelings for Phillip when I had enough to think about.
Phillip took a seat next to me, twisting at the waist. “What’re you thinking about over there, sparky?”
“I’ll warn you to never call me that again,” I grumbled, irritated by the way my stomach fluttered every time he was near. “I’m just, you know, unwinding from a shitty few months.”
“I can suggest a few ways to help,” he whispered provocatively, his long fingers gently brushing the side of my face. “If you’re willing, that is. We have some time.”
Eyes straying over to the man beside me, I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to hide the fast beat of my heart. “So you can add me to your bookcase? No thanks.”
The Austrian’s husky laughter tickled my face as he leaned close, hand smoothing across my stomach intimately. “So, it did bother you.”
“Oh, get over yourself, Phil. Not everyone is obsessed with you.”
But I was.
The Austrian wasn’t put off. He eased closer and brushed his lips along my neck, reigniting the subsurface lust that was always one touch away.
Yanking me closer, he nibbled along my jugular and my tightly woven arms came loose before falling to the cushion.
The older beauty’s luminous eyes lifted before Phillip took strong hold of the back of my neck and brought our mouths together roughly.
I yielded to him, to the kiss, like I’d been waiting for it.
For all the fire I spat, I sure gave into him quickly.
I hated myself for it, but his kiss, his hand on my neck keeping me locked to him, the strong hold on my waist that wouldn’t let me flee, were everything I needed.
As if knowing it, Phillip gave me everything I yearned for secretly when my pride and sense of caution got in the way.
Finally, I melted into him and tangled fingers through his hair. I gave into my desire and climbed onto his lap, ready to go bananas on the sexy beast of a man. Totally ready to distract myself the best way I knew how—with sex.
But as I succumbed to temptation and clawed at the Austrian’s clothes, seconds away from stripping him down and laying him out, a loud knock sounded at the front door. Both of us stiffened, bodies already swathed with sweat.
“Schiesse,” Phillip whispered, flicking his eyes to the front door before swiping his thumb over my lower lip. “Stay here and…” His cerulean eyes swimming with lust stole a look down my body. “No. I change my mind. Go upstairs.”
“Who is it?”
Another hard rap at the door cut through the silence around us.
“Just go upstairs,” he commanded, kissing me hotly on the mouth. “Second door on the right.”