Well, hello then. “Have a seat and we’ll see what we’ve got that may interest you.”
“Oh, I’m sure you do. You are truly beautiful, Wren. Such a pretty little bird.”
Wren felt a flush of heat sear her cheeks, a true blush instead of the roaring heat that had been attacking her over the past weeks. She ignored the use of her first name. Hell, it was printed on the plaque outside her office and at the top of all the stationary. But little bird…the two words reminded her of Griffin and an ache speared through her chest.
“Right.” She took a moment to read through the outline of his needs and then turned toward her computer, ready to search through the MLS listings. “I think we may have a few homes that will meet your criteria.” She turned toward Hyde. “Would you like to go through them now or would you like me to email you links to the listings? We can, of course, setup appointments for viewings as well. Whichever you prefer.”
Hyde rose, towering over her and she immediately stood in response. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a business card which she took automatically. “Here’s my card. It has my private office line as well as my other contact information, including email. Send me the listings you find and we’ll go from there.”
His smile, one that she’d found attractive moments before, seemed forced, strained. And were his teeth pointed?
Holding the card, she flipped it over, spying the promised info. But…it seemed to glow. Even in the bright light it sparkled, swirled and shone. What the…
Wren opened her mouth to ask about the odd glistening, but was cut off by a growling snarl.
“You won’t be going anywhere with her.” Her attention bounced from the piece of paper in her hand to the doorway and the tension she’d been carrying for weeks immediately fled.
“Griffin.” She sighed. Her Griffin. She’d remember to be pissed at him for the whole addiction thing later. If that’s what it was. Then again, considering her sudden relaxation and relief at being in his presence, she was voting for the addiction.
The vampire stalked toward her, nudged her back from her desk and put himself between her body and Hyde’s.
Ignoring the growling and tenseness in his body, Wren leaned into him, inhaled his scent and her body relaxed further. The lethargy and building heat cooled at the first touch. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her cheek on his back, letting her eyes drift closed.
The muscles beneath her touch remained tight, bunched as if he were ready to spring into action.
“Tsk tsk, vampire. I believe the lady has a mind of her own.”
Her vamp growled low, the vibrations thrumming through her and she stroked his stomach, soothing her savage, blood sucking beast. “Wren?”
“Hmm?” She snuggled closer to him, relishing the first moment of peace she’d had in weeks. Just as soon as she was done feeling better, she’d yell at him for making her sick. Soon. –ish.
“You won’t be seeing the pixie again. Understood?”
That got her attention.
“Pixie?” Fear thrummed in her veins. Pixies were evil. The devil even.
Wren peeked around Griffin and looked at Hyde again. This time, she really saw the odd color of his hair. A little too red and bright. And those eyes…they seemed to glow, even though all of the lights were on in her office. Then, beneath her gaze, his skin lightened and shone, shapes and symbols swirling over the surface. Pale, fluttering wings came into focus behind him.
And, O-M-f-ing-G, his evil teeth were like pointy white razors.
With a whimper, she hid behind Griffin once again. He’d made those other pixies go poof, he could go all poof-er-ino on this asshole, too.
“Wren?”
“Isn’t he supposed to be all small and squishable?” What. The. Fuck.
“Wren, we’ll talk about that later.” His voice had deepened.
Okay then. She nodded, cheek rubbing against his coat. “Totally. Whatever you say. Scout’s honor, even.”
A soft pop fluttered through the room, the sound quickly followed by iridescent dust blowing over them and Wren was quick to brush the stuff off, rubbing her hands over her body. Pixies equaled bad and she didn’t imagine the dust was any better.
Griffin whirled on her then. His large, cool hands wrapped around her upper arms, and she swung her attention to him, staring into his ice-like eyes. “Mine.”
Wren raised an eyebrow. “Really? ‘Cause I remember waking up alone after our suck-and-fuck fest. In my own bed, even.”
The vampire yanked her close, arms wrapping around her body as his mouth descended. Just as she remembered, those soft lips brushed her mouth, talented tongue darting forward and lapping at her.