CHAPTER 1
He’d long grown bored watching the humans scurrying below –
they were hapless little creatures. Perched
next to a gargoyle he named ‘Fred’ two hours past, Sayer tapped his fingers
against the creature’s claws. He was impatient to be back in the Realm. Hunger gnawed at him and the longer he stared
at the dark-haired morsel through the sixth floor window, the more his fangs
throbbed. With a hand rubbing his brow, he
wondered – not for the first time since the night began - how much longer those
Dark minions could talk. His
surveillance had confirmed that whatever Rhydach was involved in here in New
York, that hot little piece running the meeting was knees-deep in it.
Rhydach had been reaching into the Outer Realm for a couple
of centuries now, but the boom in technology the last few decades made it
easier for him to insert himself into the midst of those that he would like to
destroy most. The Dark leader was becoming bolder, not taking as many
precautions to hide his involvement in the affairs of the humans. His
investments were meant towards the same end as everything else he did – to
bring pain, suffering and an ultimate end to mankind.
Grunting his relief, he jumped to his feet seconds later
when the four in the building across the street did the same. It took a few more minutes of shuffling and
handshaking before the group headed towards the conference room door. Sayer could not hear them – even his Vampiric
senses could not penetrate the heavy glass – but he was able to track their
progress through adjacent windows as they made their way towards the lobby of
the office space. Leaning over the edge
from his perch to check out the scene on the walk below, a blink later Sayer shadowed
down and took roost in a darkened corner of one of the buildings at ground
level.
The female accompanied the men out to a waiting town car,
providing him the opportunity he needed once the Darks took their leave. Sayer
eyed her while she offered a polite and reserved smile of farewell. It was easier for him to see her more clearly
in the dark of night, without the glare of fluorescent lights and distortion
from the panes of glass. Standing attentively, she watched the car glide off
into the late night traffic. After it disappeared around the corner, she lifted
both hands and rubbed wearily at her eyes before combing the long strands of dark
hair back from her face. Even with the street distance separating them, Sayer
could make out the fatigue touching the corner of those magnificent blue
eyes. He caught her sigh when she turned
and headed towards the doors of the building.
That sound was his cue.
Lorcan had sent him to find out what the Darks had going on in the Big
Apple. Certain Light contacts had alerted Lorcan to the presence of too many
Darks in the city - Darks from the Realm, connected directly to Rhydach. Sayer had been selected to investigate,
because of all the Elite, he was the most connected with the human world. Having taken an interest in their business practices
centuries ago, he was well versed in their culture and had substantial investments
of his own.
His knack for the machinations of American business
practices had made Lorcan and his fellow Elite quite wealthy by human standards
and Sayer prided himself on his intellect as much as he did his skill with
weaponry. His corporate interests would come in useful on this assignment because
as a business savvy executive he knew his target would not forgo the
opportunity to spend time with him.
Sayer had earlier scoped out the lobby and identified the
name of the business where the meeting with the Darks was taking place. Later,
from his location across the street, he had also ascertained via the nameplate on
her office door that the petite woman was none other than the ‘KJ’ in KJ Market
Insights. Kylie Jadewell. Sayer guessed her to be in her early thirties. Her
black hair was thick, full, and littered with hot pink steaks - not enough to
be outrageous, just interesting. The look was in direct contrast to her
conservative business attire. Even though the length of her skirt was
appropriately to her knee, he had a hard time pulling his eyes away from her
spiked heels and the length of leg that was within view.
She was tiny in stature, even by human standards, but appeared
muscular and fit. This one was not emaciated and overly thin like too many of
the New York females he watched scurrying from the office buildings earlier in
the night. The fact that she looked like a tiny warrior would have pushed all
his buttons, even if her face hadn’t been gorgeous enough to rival the
supernatural beauty of some of the Witch in the Realm. The whole package had
him regretting her apparent association with the Darks and the fact that, as a
human, she was off limits.
He shadowed again, close enough to her retreating form that
his footsteps could not go unheard. Walking
at an unhurried pace, he closed the gap between himself and the building she
was preparing to re-enter. His footfalls
echoed, causing her to react as anticipated, with a quick glance over her
shoulder. It took all of five seconds
for her to give him a frank study from across the thirty feet of cement walk
that separated them. Those cornflower blue eyes finished their appraisal and
collided with the warm gray of his. He smiled and waited until her hand locked
solid on the door handle to the entrance before purposefully breaking his gaze
away to glance at the watch on his wrist.
Kylie was relieved when the stranger looked away; she would
have probably walked smack into the door if he had not. The last thing she’d expected to encounter was
an Adonis when she turned to see who was following her and she was certain her
cheeks were flushed in reaction to him.
Holy cow! The man was several inches over six feet and handsome with his
disheveled chestnut hair and smoky eyes. Dressed in a black suit, charcoal
shirt and coordinating tie, his broad-shouldered, muscular build was obvious despite
the business attire. She drew in a deep
breath. There had been something animalistic in that charming smile of his that
raised her instantly to the level of hot and bothered. Kylie did not dare to
look back again before entering the building.
Calling out a greeting to the night attendant at the desk,
Kylie was halfway to the bank of elevators when the sound of the door wooshing
open echoed in the lobby. There were a lot of notes she needed to finish
regarding that night’s meeting and one look from that giant outside had addled her.
She surmised that actual words from him might make her forget everything she
needed to remember about the last three hours. For that reason she was tempted
to quicken her pace to the elevator. On the other hand, if he had just entered her building, Kylie doubted
she would be able to think of much else until she figured out why he was there.
She shot a hurried look back over her shoulder.
Mistake – this time she found his eyes assessing her with
the same level of interest she had him outside. Kylie swallowed hard and had a
mini-debate in her head. She never put her personal life ahead of her business,
but she found herself pausing anyway. Kylie knew most of the occupants in this
building; hers was not a downtown Manhattan towering scraper. This man did not work here - there was no way
she would have missed him. Even if she had, her secretary would have long ago tracked
him down, found out the pertinent details and arranged a business meeting over
cocktails. It was the only way Lydia could get Kylie to do anything remotely
resembling a date - the older woman mothered her. Deciding to make Lydia proud, she took the
initiative for once and pivoted on her heel, a smile fixed firmly on her
face.
When her eyes met his, Sayer thought the girl looked like
she was about to swallow her tongue. The little human was cute in her bravado. All
the more so because the rampant blush on her cheeks belied the level of ease she
was trying to project. He took two more strides
in her direction before she found her voice, “Is there something I can help you
with? They will be locking up the building shortly and…”
Time for the ruse. Sayer interjected, “I will only be a few
minutes. I am scouting my meeting
location for tomorrow.”
When he grinned at her, Kylie experienced a rush of heat,
wondering if he was scoping out more than just an office location. Grasping
hold of her last ounce of professionalism before that deserted her - as the
rest of her brain seemed to have done – she extended a hand with her
introduction, “Kylie Jadewell. I work in the building. Do you need assistance finding the office?”
Because he looked so damned confident and pleased with himself, she could not
resist throwing in, “Fred over there can direct you.” Her nod indicated the
night security man stationed at the desk.
He noted the twinkle in her eyes – spunky lass. Sayer could
not stop his smirk, thinking this ‘Fred’ looked a lot like the one he’d spent
his past three hours chatting up on the rooftop across the street. He also paid heed to the fact that Miss
Jadewell had not introduced herself as the owner
of one of the businesses in the building. Humility was a good trait. He was not going to resist tormenting her
though. When his eyes locked on hers, the message was clear. He knew her game in offering up the burly
security guard as his escort and he wasn’t letting her get away that easily.
Her cheeks grew pinker under his perusal; the art of
flirtation was beyond her. Kylie gave a little tug to get her hand back,
willing to admit defeat rather than continue on in a game she was so obviously
going to lose. The non-verbal exchange with him was enough to prove to her that
this one was leagues out of her comfort zone.
Sayer did not relinquish her hand, but instead clasped it
more tightly in response to her attempted withdrawal. He then stepped into her
personal space. There was a telling hitch in her breathing, so he rubbed a thumb
over the back of her hand and gave her his name, “I’m Sayer, and I know exactly where I need to be, Miss
Jadewell.”
It was the way he said it, not his words, that flustered
her. How anyone could make that answer into a naughty innuendo was
beyond her, but he accomplished it grandly. His eyes were heated and intent on
devouring her, having the affect of pushing her further off balance.
The cocky grin of his that surfaced rubbed her just enough
to cause her to renew her efforts to pull free. Kylie found a bit of self-respect
and nodded – in farewell. It was her turn to be pleased when his eyes widened
with disbelief. Stepping away, she pivoted towards the bank of elevators and
did not bother to look when she called back, “Then I bid you good evening, Mr.
Sayer.”
She thanked the Lord then for perfect timing as the doors
quietly opened at her approach. Kylie was
already chewing at her lower lip, pulling at the tendrils of memory that were telling
her she knew that name. Her distraction was the reason that the sound of his
voice at her back startled her. Lost in thought, Kylie had not heard him move with
her and the unexpected closeness of his voice caused her to jump. She lost her footing in her extreme heels and
would have pitched headlong into the back wall of the elevator if not for his
quick, steadying grasp.
Rather than comment on her lack of grace, he continued with
the conversation as if she had not just brushed him off, “It’s just Sayer, no
Mister.”
Extracting herself from his hold, her face was fiery once
more. It was over her clumsiness rather than
any heat for him this time. When they
both reached to press the button for the sixth floor, Kylie reacted strongly,
retracting her hand as though his fingers had sprouted teeth. Her marketing firm shared the floor with only
one other occupant - a criminal law firm. Her opinion of the sex god changed in
that instant. She took two definite
steps away from him, while the folding of her arms over her chest was a clear
signal that she was distancing herself from him purposely. She tossed out, cool,
“Westlake and Jones has a solid reputation.”
Sayer looked at her like she was full-on daft when he
shifted his stance to face her. The
frown on his brow confirmed his confusion before his inquiry did, “Pardon?”
Her eyes swept him again, giving her damning evidence to
confirm her suspicions. The perfectly tailored, inordinately expensive suit and
all the coordinating over-the-top accessories spoke volumes…as in white collar
bad boy in need of low-profile, highly successful law firm. Now she was
downright disdainful, “The law firm - the only business on that floor besides
mine- you are in capable hands.”
Sayer could tell in that instant that Kylie had squashed every
single bit of attraction she’d held for him thirty seconds prior. He wasn’t
having it. Scowling at her, he did not bother to hide his displeasure. It
rankled to have the beauty so readily dismiss him - probably because she was the one associating with less
than favorable associates, not him. The
decision was made to remind her of exactly how much she was attracted. He might
be of the Light, but he was Vampire and that meant he was no saint.
When he moved forward, she had to tilt her head back to keep
her eyes on his. Stepping right in front
of her, he did not stop, but kept moving until her retreating steps caused her
back to come up against the wall. Kylie wasn’t afraid of him; she was more
irked that her body was a thousand times more responsive in this close space
than it had been in the lobby.
Her eyes narrowed on his, silently objecting to his
encroachment. The shadowy lighting in the elevator caused his to look as though
they were pits of black. Lust warred
with indignation, and Kylie failed to control the breathiness in her voice when
she hissed out, “You are in my space!” When he merely quirked a brow, as if to
say ‘So what?’ he looked so damned sexy she couldn’t stop the words from
pouring out, “I am trying to decide if it would be more effective to punch or
bite you.”
The flat of his palm found the cool wall next to her head
and he leaned way down so that he could get close. His face was mere inches from
hers when his other hand tweaked a hot pink strand of hair. The appreciation in
his voice was nearly overtaken by the heat, “You are a little warrior, aren’t you?”
Kylie swallowed hard. If she raised up just an inch, she had
no doubt he would meet her lips. She had to remind herself that she was
principled, she had standards – her values were of a different variety than the
uber-wealthy business executives that needed the services of the law firm on
her floor. That meant that this one was off-limits. “I have sharp teeth,” she raked her lower lip with
them to give credence to her threat.
She thought he might have growled right before he obliterated
her line in the sand by dropping closer still; his lips hovered right above
hers. The breath from his mouth touched her lips when Sayer answered in a gravelly
whisper, “I like to bite too, Kylie. I bet I could lose myself in the taste of
you...” He didn’t let her widening eyes give him pause, but shifted around to
whisper to her ear, letting his lips brush as he did, “If I ever bit you, Kylie,
your body would do amazing things for me.” When he drew back, the certainty of that
wicked promise in his gaze made her knees weak. Her eyes slipped shut to block
him out, but there was the barest hint of a needy sound in the back of her
throat while she warred with herself for control.
Releasing a slow breath, Sayer didn’t withdraw further. Much
to his shock, the human was actually rousing him. He had the most vivid image running
through his mind of exactly what he could be doing to her when he bit her the
first time. The beauty in front of him with the hot blush and pulse beating
crazily at her throat had him dying for a taste.
Her tongue darted over her lips but she still had not opened
her eyes. Sayer decided it was time to pay her back for dismissing him. He took
another step so that the front of her arms, still crossed over her chest, now brushed
against his abdomen…she was certainly tiny. Twirling the silken strand of pink
around his fingers, he questioned without really questioning, “Ms. Jadewell,
you are the KJ in KJ Marketing, yes?”
Her eyes shot wide open. Kylie had expected the next words
from him to entail a proposition of some time spent naked and hot…together. She
swallowed hard and gave him the slight nod of her head. His question befuddled her; it was obvious by
the crinkle on the bridge of her nose. It was also obvious that she did not
have all her wits about her and couldn’t quite grasp why his question seemed
odd. Her confusion turned to acute embarrassment with his next words.
Sayer threw in a bit of extra arrogance, just for effect, “Sayer, Ms. Jadewell, as in Sayer International.” He didn’t give her
an inch more of room, not ready to break the physical connection between them.
Waiting three seconds for those words to hit her consciousness, he continued, “My
secretary scheduled a meeting this afternoon with the President of KJ for tomorrow
evening. My schedule will not permit me
to make it until seven o’clock, but I was assured that would not be a problem.”
Sayer did not react when the ding of the elevator indicated
they had reached their destination.
Kylie did not either, because she was mortified. She had been in that three hour meeting from
hell when her assistant left and had not had the opportunity to check her
email. Damn him, she knew that name sounded familiar. She did not appreciate
the humor she could see lingering in his gaze. The elevator began the slow trek
back to the ground level when she finally found her voice, “You are the Sayer, in Sayer International?”
Her body was still responding to the nearness of his– he had
yet to step back - despite the shock of learning the identity of the
not-white-collar-criminal before her.
That thought had her cringing; she had pretty much accused him of being
a degenerate. It was definitely not as humiliating as threatening to bite one
of the most successful entrepreneurs of the past decade. She had to dig her nails into her palms to
keep from groaning her embarrassment. Kylie
could not imagine what a business man of his caliber could possibly want with
her firm, and after this encounter, she was not certain that he still would. She hedged, “I have been in meetings all afternoon,
Mr. Sayer…I was unaware…”
He was still so close that Kylie could see black flecks in
the silver surrounding his pupils when he interrupted, “Sayer…just Sayer. I will be in meetings all
day tomorrow, so have dinner brought in for ours. Your assistant can coordinate with mine to
handle the arrangements.” She was numbly nodding to acknowledge the
instructions when the elevator signaled their return to the ground floor.
Sayer hesitated, long enough to run the tip of his index
finger down the full length of one of her pink streaks. He fingered the end of
the strand a second longer before pulling his hand away. Winking, he stepped
back, “I like the pink, Ms. Jadewell.
Makes you look like a fierce little fairy.”
He was gone before Kylie could move or even begin to come up
with a suitable retort. Fairy…bah. At the moment, she was nothing more than a
puddle of liquid heat.
