“Not necessarily, but in your case that’s probably a good bet.”
He throws back his head and laughs. The sound sends shivers through me. It’s maniacal, bordering on downright crazy. After a few seconds he looks at me again. “Well, you know what they say, you go to Heaven for the climate—”
“Yes, ‘and Hell for the company.’ I’ve heard that.” Unlike Joanna this spirit doesn’t seem to fear the great beyond. “I’m sure you have a lot of friends there.”
“No doubt.” He strokes his translucent goatee. “No doubt.”
The tell-tale pink band of light elongates far too close for my comfort. I pull Ivan back a few feet. The light dims and the elevator door slides open. At the same time I hear a jangle of coins above me.
“Hurry!” I yell, worry clouding my tone.
Asa jumps from the ladder and grabs me again, pressing his lips to mine. I could really get used to this.
“Jesus, Lisa, what is going on here?” Hal sounds like an indignant father. “Why is that vampire pawing you?”
“Coin,” I say against Asa’s mouth, ignoring Hal. “I need the coin.”
He presses it into my hand. “Is the porter here?”
I’m tempted to say no because he’s facing away from the door and I don’t want the kissing to end. But I also don’t like a crowd. This might be my last chance to grind against this smokin’ hot vampire. I’m turning into such a slut. “Yes.” I toss the coin to Hal and he catches it in his bejeweled hand. “Gold.”
Hal examines the coin and then lifts it to his mouth and bites. A white smile curves the corners of his lips. “It will do.”
It damn well had better, because I didn’t have anything else. I break our kiss but don’t let go of Asa. “Will you go?”
Ivan looks at me and then at Hal. “You look like a man who would be amenable to a little harmless torment and torture.”
Tipping his head to the side, Hal points his silver tipped walking stick at Ivan. “What other kind is there, my friend?” He steps aside, indicating that Ivan should enter the elevator. “Shall we take a turn around the circles of Hell and see what mischief we can stir up?”
“A grand idea.” Ivan looks at me. “My apologies for the possession. I fear my mind is not always sound and you people are irresistible to control.” He gives me a super creepy smile. “But I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that anymore.”
He slips from my grasp and voluntarily enters the elevator. They both nod their heads in my direction as the door eases closed. Normally I try to prevent Hal from dragging my clients to Hell. In this case I couldn’t care less.#p#分页标题#e#
“Are they still here?” Asa asks.
I’m evil. I openly admit that, but I don’t want our moment to end. I gasp and turn back to him, winding both arms around his neck. His mouth instantly captures mine and his arms wrap about my waist. I open to him again, letting his tongue take the lead.
It slides against mine, caressing and teasing. My body presses against his and I feel him respond. Wow, does he respond. A quiet moan of pleasure escapes me, vibrating into his mouth. The sound seems to amp up his desire. He cups my ass and pulls me against him. If it was just Asa and me in the inn I’d have him stripped and straddled on the ground like a calf at a roping competition. But we’re not alone, so after a few more glorious seconds of kissing, I sigh and break the kiss.
“They’re gone.” I let my arms drift across his shoulders and lower them to my side. “Thanks.” I step back. “You saved my life.”
He clears his throat and shoves his hands in his front pockets. “Anytime.”
“Really?”
Asa’s gaze drops to the floor but he doesn’t answer me. Obviously I’m being way too forward. Poor guy, he’s probably never been mauled by a randy mom with three kids before. I search for a topic change. “So, I reaped a human guy hanging out in my bathroom. Jean-Pierre, I think he said his name was.”
“He was one of Ivan’s kills.” He looks at me. “No problems with Hal on transporting him? You didn’t need gold?”
“No, he was human. No gold required.”
I move to the bookcase. Suddenly things between Asa and me feel awkward. Shame. I wouldn’t mind experiencing some of his mad kissing skill again—or more. I’ve been a widow for nearly two years. When I say it’s been a dry spell, I mean even my vibrator needs dusting off. Until Asa, my libido has been running on a trickle charge. Sure I’ve had naughty thoughts about Constantine, and there was even a zing of sexual tension between Nate and me once, but nothing like I’m feeling for Asa. One thing I’ve learned is life is too short. At least in my life it is. Who knows about the vampires? They’re probably immortal unless somebody takes them out.