Seduce(55)

Javier had been charming during the brief moments he had appeared at the apartment, making sure she felt comfortable being in his and Lilah’s home and wanted for nothing. Their apartment was a contrast to Antoine and Snow’s. Javier’s was shades of blue and paler tones, brighter and less dreary than the colours the two aristocrat vampires had chosen for their own apartments. She had even met Javier’s younger brother, Andreu, although he hadn’t stayed long. He had been eager to head down to the party they were holding to welcome him and another elite vampire called Payne.

When Antoine had returned from his brother’s room and come to her, her heart had ached for him. There had been so much pain in his blood and his eyes. He had been so desperate to kiss her and hold her, and she had given in to him, knowing that he needed comfort and wanting to give it to him any way that she could. Antoine had told her that she looked beautiful when he had pulled away from her long enough to see her completed transformation. His gaze had lingered on the long elegant black dress, specifically the plunging neckline that revealed his marks on her throat and cleavage that she had needed a little help to attain. Lilah didn’t have a problem filling out her own deep emerald dress. The woman was blessed and a few of the men in the large brightly lit room had noticed, although all of them had looked away when threatened with a growl by Javier.

Sera tried to focus on the conversation but she couldn’t get her mind off Antoine or what had happened in his apartment just minutes before they had come down to the party. She blushed each time she replayed it in her head. He had been rough with her, as though he couldn’t control himself and his need for her. He had torn away her panties, lifted her and pinned her against the wall, taking her hard and fast, kissing her until she had felt dizzy and lost. What had awoken such a primal need for a connection in him? She knew in her heart that he had been seeking comfort, relief from whatever dark thoughts were plaguing him. She had enjoyed their wild moment, had experienced the most incredible orgasm, and the fierce way that Antoine had sunk his fangs into her throat and climaxed had left her feeling as though he had been staking a claim on her. She couldn’t shake the questions filling her mind though. What had driven Antoine to such desperation?

He had mentioned his brother but something in his eyes and their joined blood said it was more than that. There was something he wasn’t telling her.

Payne muttered about blood under his breath as he stalked past, his dark air that of a man on a mission. Javier had introduced her to the handsome blond elite and he hadn’t said much other than a handful of rehearsed pleasantries. The moment the conversation had ebbed, he had made his excuses and left. She hadn’t seen him speak to anyone other than Callum after that. Whenever she caught sight of him, he was alone. Callum had made his excuses too and Lilah had positively bubbled with excitement for him and Kristina, pressing him to relay her happiness for them to the female werewolf.

Sera ducked closer to Lilah when Victor glanced her way. She didn’t want him to see her. He went back to speaking to a group of women, his grin wide as he towered over them, muscles stretching the suit he wore. He must have purchased a size too small because he looked as though he was about to tear the material when he moved to sling his arm around one of the women. She erupted into a giggling fit. Sera rolled her eyes and moved on, her thoughts stuck on the word Payne had grumbled.

Blood.

She was parched.

A quick scan of the busy room didn’t reveal any sign of someone handing out blood. No one was holding glasses either. What sort of vampire party happened without some refreshments on offer? Maybe they would come later. She pushed away her hunger and looked for Antoine instead.

After he had led her down the stairs with her arm looped around his and his hand holding hers against his forearm, and had introduced her to a few people so she felt comfortable, he had begun to circulate. At the time, she’d had no interest in tottering around the room on the heels Lilah had lent her so she had remained with the pretty young vampire and her doting mate. Now she wished she had gone with him. She hadn’t expected him to be away from her for so long and she wanted to know that he was okay.

Her gaze caught on someone as they entered and she smiled.

Snow strolled across the room, his movements casual even though he radiated caution that caused everyone in his path to move out of his way. His mouth quirked into a smile when he spotted her and he changed course, heading towards her and the others where they stood near one of the black walls.

He was taller than she remembered when he came to a halt beside her, his immense frame overshadowing her. Even Javier and Andreu looked small compared with him.