Alexander had been growing slightly impatient due to the hunger. He recognized that he was in no way being himself. In fact, he was as far from himself as he could possibly be. He was out of control, he was hungry, he was murderous simply because he was hungry, and by the gods, was he impatient. That wasnât like him. Alexander was almost patient to the point of it being slightly unnerving. He was calm, collected and cold. He did not lose that control of himself. Except he had⊠after meeting her. That redheaded human had messed up his head, so as much as he wanted to keep her alive, to keep her blood flowing, the urge to rip her head off as revenge was also screaming at him.
He probably wouldnât be able to do that when it came down to it, however. After all, heâd actually protected her from one of his own kin. He had killed his own kind because of a human. For a long time, Alexander had pondered this, wondering why he had done what he did that night. The memories haunted him just as much as the taste of her blood. He needed to know what it was about her that had her affecting him like no woman, let alone human woman, ever had before. He couldnât merely accept it, because he wasnât made like that. Alexander sought the deeper meaning, he wanted the mystery solved. What was so special about this redheaded human?
Even as his thought raged, Alexander registered the exact second Simone stepped into the bar, her scent teasing his hungry senses as his green eyes flashed up to focus on her instantly. She had not changed much in the last two years, it appeared. Not much at all. Except she appeared hesitant, nervous even, as though she knew he was there. How curious, considering she didnât turn to look at him. He knew she could feel his gaze on her. Focusing on her, he could so clearly hear the way her heart had sped up, the delicious blood coursing through her veins at a much higher speed. He took a deep breath, taking in her tantalizing scent.
Her smile, the one she offered the bartender, appeared almost, like she was trying to hide her nerves from him. This was certainly an interesting development from the human who had fought so hard to play hard to get. He was painfully aware of the way the vein in her neck pulsed in the most appetizing way. He was so hungry, yet with her entrance the need to kill had almost vanished. It was there, beneath the surface, but the need for the red life source in her veins was not diminished. All he knew was that he did no longer feel the need to kill for this hunger. It was more⊠controlled.
He watched and listened only for a little while as she ordered her drink. Then he elegantly moved into a standing position and brought himself towards her, his legs carrying him effortlessly through the crowd of⊠erhm, moving bodies. His eyes were intensely on Simone, wanting her, craving her. No, not her. Just her blood. Her blood was all he wanted. The human was of no other importance, because she couldnât be. She was human. She was an animal, a slave at best. And he would treat her as such⊠as soon as he was able. Yes, he would stop these silly thoughts of keeping her safe from others, and he would forget that he had ever saved her. Inwardly, Alexander nodded in satisfaction. This night would not end the way she intended it to.
He raised an eyebrow when he heard the bartenderâs last comment, however, so when he reached Simone finally, he was smirking. Here he comes the bartender had said, as though Simone was here for him alone. As though she had brought herself here for him to approach her. The thought wouldâve brought a predatory grin to his lips if he had not been busy keeping up appearances. She wanted it. She wanted him. She had feigned slight disinterest when they had met before, although he had known of her attraction towards her. That was no surprise, however. Alexander was quite used to women wanting him. A sexy, dark smirk was on his lips as he stopped beside her, taking a sip of the drink he had brought with him.
âGood evening, Simone.â He started, his voice that same masculine purr it always was. That much was not faked. Alexander simply had the most alluring way of speaking. His voice alone could turn a woman wanton, and ah, it had indeed before. âItâs been a while, has it not?â He continued.
Sabineâs reply caused Sapphire to narrow her eyes at him immediately, staring him down in spite of her being much, much shorter than he. He would not intimidate her, and he would most definitely not play her like this. Oh no, it did not work that way. âI never claimed to be a polite soul, Mr. Marx.â She countered, raising an eyebrow at him them. âYou, however, seem to continuously do so,â she continued then, bringing a hand up to brush a stray bit of hair out of her face. âAnd then, in spite of it,â she began elaborating, âyou prove yourself to be much the opposite.â With that last comment, Sapphire gave him a defiant look. Oh, that amusement in his eyes irritated her just as much as it had two years ago. Perhaps even more.
How he mustered bringing this level of irritation in her, by only just speaking with her for but a few seconds, or looking at her in one specific way, she did not know. And why the hell she was then talking to him anywhere, was absolutely, completely and utterly beyond her comprehension. This man was a pain in her ass, yet she loved it. Part of her loved it. Of course the more sensible, proud and stubborn part would never love it, and as such, Sapphire found herself wanting to be near him, yet wanting to punch him at the same time. It was a very confusing mixture of feelings, because for some reason she found herself drawn to this man.
He wasnât particularly handsome in the more classical way, that much was true, and he definitely was a little too much on the skinny side, but by the gods, he exuded something she simply could not ignore. He commanded her attention simply by standing there, simply by being there. It was unnerving yet exciting and exhilarating at the same time. Which was definitely enough to bug her.
The blonde stood there, watching the man before her, eyes so focused and fiery on his. Oh, he had the most beautiful eyes, did he not? That emerald green seemed to draw her in like the first time they had met. Ugh, why did he have this effect on her?!
Her mouth set in a line, her jaw clenched when he spoke next. That. Smirk. She felt her palms twitching to slap him right across the face, felt her body grow tense. Really? He was going to act like heâd only been MIA for a week or two? Really? Really? And that little smirk. Again. Fucking infuriating male! âDid you not believe me?â he then ended his little act, and Sapphire instinctively lifted her hand. Her palm hit his cheek in the next instant, the sound of the slap ringing out ever so clearly, and it felt good. Heâd come back for his fucking handkerchief and jacket⊠after two years? He came back because of that? She brought her hand down, clenching it at her side to keep herself from doing it again.
âI. Donât. Have them.â She told him, her words clipped as she began walking away from him. âItâs been two years. I donât keep shit thatâs not mine around for that long.â Sheâd had it with him and this little game. This was all it took. She was so furious, she was practically bristling and all she wanted to do was go beat something up. But of course that was out of the question, so sheâd probably end up going to a club where sheâd dance very closely with a lot of guys and turn down all of them, because the way they spoke was wrong, or the way they walked, or the way they looked at her. It was all wrong, because they werenât him. Asshole. In truth, Sapphire had both handkerchief and jacket in the back of her closet. But she wasnât telling him that, and she definitely wasnât giving either piece to him. With his behavior, there was no way he deserved any kindness from her.
Alanya pursed her lips when Daniel asked what heâd done to⊠ah, âearn such a giftâ. She was rather amused by him, to be frank. Especially because she knew he was perfectly aware, or rather, at least had a good guess, as to why she was currently in his lap, flirting with him, teasing him. Of course she figured he had no idea of her ultimate goal in his regard, but he knew very well that she enjoyed this little game they played, and every time she was bored sheâd happily come to him. He always welcomed her with the same glint in his eyes, and the same sexy smirk on his lips. He was pure temptation and he knew it. The key was to not let him know she wanted him as much as she did. Because if he found out, he would lose interest. Or, rather he would play much harder, and then sheâd probably end up in his bed, which would entirely ruin her endgame here.
âYou have such a pretty smile,â she countered playfully in response to his question, with just a tint of sarcasm. It was a stupid one, so it deserved a silly answer. She smirked at him, âit really is quite the headturner and certain worthy of my affections. Do you not think so?â The glint in her eye was ever so mischievous.
âSuppose you wouldnât,â she then replied to his claim of never being one to ask her to leave her âthroneâ, feigned thoughtfulness to her voice before she leaned closer, her breath dancing over the sensitive skin of his upper neck as she murmured into his ear, âbut somehow I am having trouble seeing it as proof of your undying loyalties, my dear.â She laughed softly, the sound pearling beautifully off of her tongue, a sweet purr to its undertones. Then her lips found his skin, brushing against it just below his ear. She was tempted to take it further, but that would have to wait⊠a little while. Just a little. Teasing touches and light brushes of her lips were what would keep his body tense and coiled like it was now. Sweet Daniel might feign disinterest, but she knew better. She knew he wanted her as much as she did him. If for nothing else, then to win the game.
The thought of winning pushed them both in one direction alone: the end. Because no one could win f there was no end to the game, and no one could get it to the end, if both parties were not invested. It was a fine line they walked, the two of them, but ah, they knew how to manipulate it, did they not? She smiled, a secret to the curve of her lips. Like she was planning something even now, like her mind was working out her plans as she sat there, looking at the handsome captain, her fingertips pressed only lightly against his chest. The feeling of his hand on her back was telling her plenty as well. He was not holding it there to support her, because honestly he knew well enough that she sat very well balanced on his muscled thighs. The hand was there because he could excuse his touching her that way.
She laughed when he spoke of Evelyn again, pretending as though she was a priority simply because he had duties due to her position. Oh, the darling, trying to make her jealous. Smiling widely, affecting the grin of a predator smoothly capturing its prey, Alanya shifted in his lap, one leg now on each side of him as her taunting hands danced up his chest, fingers of one brushing against the back of his neck as she brought it to rest there. The other ever so softly, teasingly, brushed up the side of his neck, tapping it just below his ear; the exact same spot she had previously kissed.
âYou are so delightfully cute when you try to make me jealous, my sweet,â she began, her voice a soft, teasing purr as she slowly leaned closer, only speaking next once her mouth was no more than half an inch from his, the two sets of lips only just brushing against each other, as she spoke next, her voice low and tempting. âAh, but you forget⊠she is so very far below my mere consideration.â As she said this, the hand on the side of his neck moved, its index finger tracing the soft skin of his lower lip, as her own lips quirked into a playful, naughty little smile, still so very, very close to his. Amber orbs flickered up to meet his eyes where they before had gazed at his lips, almost as if silently begging him to kiss her. Another little trick. Of course she would not particularly mind â in fact she would most likely enjoy it quite a bit, but ah, the art of exaggeration was key with a man like Daniel.