"Anwar, Celeste - Born of Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anwar Celeste)

Chapter Two

Gabriel stood in the shadow of a doorway, watching as Jessica left the shop and walked up the street, completely unaware of his presence. Her senses were too dulled from human living, but he could change that. And he would. Even with the distance, he sensed the necklace about her throat. He was grateful sheТd heeded his advice and gotten the chain fixed. A warding medallion was no real worry to him, but he hoped its power would keep the others from sensing her presence in the city a while longer. HeТd staked his claim with that kiss, but there were too many to challenge him.
Given what she was, he had little doubt she would be allowed to choose a mate, and better him than another. The fact that he had little remorse for his action proved just how Lycan heТd grown, but it mattered not.
He waited until sheТd gained some distance on him before pushing away from the door jam, following her, keeping her within sight. The streets here were empty of other pedestrians. He couldnТt smell Lycans or Vamps nearby, but that didnТt mean they werenТt out there, prowling the streets. Still, he was satisfied they were relatively alone.
He hooked his thumbs in his pockets, rubbing his fingers on the rough denim. They still burned from holding the chain, but no more than the studs in his nipples. If anything, it served as reminder of the kiss heТd taken.
His cock tightened at that thought, and the sight of her hips swaying gently as she walked only worsened the sweet pain. He smiled darkly. She remained oblivious to the fact that he followed her. But wasnТt that how he wanted it? She was blissfully innocent, and he knew the warning Mikel had given her had fallen on disbelieving ears.
SheТd become a believer soon enough. It was amazing how quickly a person could change their mind when confronted by living, breathing evidence. Seeing with her own eyes would banish that last, clinging ignorance.
Now that she was here, the warding power of the medallion would grow weaker and weaker, until it lost its power completely amongst the overwhelming presence of his brethren.
Gabriel almost regretted what sheТd go through. But she should not have come to New Orleans. Now that she was here, he wasnТt going to deny himself the pleasure of seducing her. The subtle nuances of her nervous desire excited him immeasurably: the breathless sigh, the pulse in her throat, the fight against her own base appetites that mirrored his own. He could still taste her on his tongue, feel the rounded firmness of her ass in his palms. His groin felt imprinted by the cloaked heat of her femininity.
He couldnТt remember ever feeling so frustrated in all his life. He wondered if fucking both their brains out would satisfy the lust boiling his blood, or if it would only worsen, make him insane with lust. He wondered if it was worth the risk in tempting the beast. Could any woman be worth so much?
She stopped suddenly on the sidewalk. Gabriel ducked into a doorway, waiting to see what she would do. He watched her indecisive profile, as she crossed and uncrossed her arms, kicked at a ball of trash on the pavement. Finally, she made up her mind and moved forward and into a local bar.
Apparently, she wasnТt ready to give up the night just yet.
He grinned and trotted up the sidewalk. Just his kind of girl. He liked a woman who didnТt know when to quit.
But she didnТt need to be out too late. He couldnТt sense any danger, but that didnТt mean it wasnТt out there. He wanted to make sure she got to her room okay.
He chuckled, thinking of a few ways to wear her out and entertain her if she was feeling restless.
Gabriel waited a few minutes before sauntering through the door. Inside was darker than out, almost smoky-like. A live band took up a space on a far, center wall, and most of the light and noise came from there and the crowded dance floor. Looking around the hazy space, he saw mostly tourists, probably from the nearby hotels. Their scent gave them away--they were missing that certain spice that only natives had to them, not like his Jessica though. She was a force unto herself.
Gabriel sidled up to the bar, got a beer, and turned around, propping his elbows on the bar as he scanned the crowd for her. He spotted her at a table, nursing a drink and giving a brush off to a man hitting on her. His ears prickled to hear her soft rebuttal, barely audible, even to his own keen ears.
DoesnТt like to dance?
A challenge, and she didnТt even realize it. She was damn well in the wrong place, not to be a dancer. Music was a part of life here, dancing in the blood, necessary as air or water to live. He was going to introduce her to one of the finer points of Louisiana living.

* * * *

Jessica just wanted to watch. She liked watching people dancing, drinking, talking ... flirting. Interaction had always fascinated her for some reason, even after sheТd become disillusioned with society. She just liked the atmosphere, especially down here. Of course, just because she liked to watch didnТt mean she wanted to do it herself--especially not with some slush who could barely stand and reeked of stale beer.
A chair scraped behind her. Jessica mentally rolled her eyes and shuddered. She sensed more than saw someone come up behind her elbow.
Much as the guy deserved a hit to the gut, she wasnТt going to get physical. Dammit! SheТd tried to be nice. Repeatedly. There was just no way to be nice to people any more. Courtesy had disappeared fifty years ago, along with manners. She hated being mean--it always made her feel like a dog when she got through.
Jessica swiveled in her chair, her stomach clenched with the rebuttal she was going to have to deliver.
She stopped, stunned to look up and see Gabriel Benoit standing before her.
Her brain only took a few seconds to jump-start this time. She was getting better at recovering. A few more times seeing him and she might even act normal. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. Before she could demand to know what he wanted, he surprised her by speaking first.
УYou followinТ me, cherie? DereТs laws against stalkinТ, you know,Ф he said with that husky, lilting tone that made her want to melt to the floor in an orgasmic puddle.
She recovered as the words sank in. Jessica sputtered at his audacity. УMe? Are you serious? YouТre the one following me!Ф
He shrugged. УDonТ matter. LawТs the law. What you gonna do about it?Ф He looked down her blouse with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
Jessica slowly followed his line of vision, saw her neckline gaped, and put a hand to her chest, gasping in outrage. She managed to find her voice and said, УWhat makes you think IТm following you? Who approached whoТs table here?Ф
He looked disappointed that sheТd covered her chest, but only briefly. Really, as little as she had up top, she didnТt know why he acted so interested.
УI only came ta save you some time, cherie. You donТ gotta go through all dis subterfuge to get me.Ф He held his arms up and open, like he was there for the taking. УIТm all yours if you wanТ me.Ф
Jessica grinned despite herself. The man really had some balls. She gave him a once over. УThanks, but I have toys at home.Ф
УI guarantee, noТ like dis toy.Ф
Jessica laughed. УBut mine come with an independent power supply. Can you keep going and going and going...?Ф
One thick, black brow arched. A dimple appeared on the side of his mouth. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking smug in a supreme male sort of way. УI can give you moreТn you can handle, petite.Ф
Jessica snorted very unladly-like, secretly excited--not that she would ever admit it. УI somehow doubt that.Ф
His voice dropped an octave, and all amusement left his face. УDonТ make me prove it.Ф
Hot shivers stroked up her spine. The room suddenly felt too small, too private. She was insanely aware of how fast her heart beat, how rapid her breath came, and how damn good he smelled. It was a struggle to remember how to use her voice. All the moisture had fled her body and pooled in one central location. УI donТt think so,Ф she said inanely.
He smiled crookedly, baring a dimple. УAll mouth and no action. You donТ know what dose lips are for.Ф
She didnТt want to think about her lips. All she could do was stare at his and wonder about what tricks he could perform. The kiss he stole in the alley came back full force--all the heat, the uncertainty, the rough force of his body pressing her into the wall. She wasnТt acting like herself. She shouldТve been scared or nervous, but the only things her nerves were doing were coming to life in anticipation.