The Last True Vampire(8)

“What are you?”

His voice was a low, hungry rumble in her ear that caused chills to break out over her flesh. Dude was trippin’ balls, no doubt about it, but oh man, he could use that voice on her any time he wanted. “What do you want me to be?” The suggestive banter was meant to invite physical contact. He was so out of his mind, it wouldn’t be tough to lift his wallet or that amazing watch once the heavy petting began. Claire’s gaze landed on his full lips and she almost sighed. If she had to, she could sacrifice a kiss or two, if it meant ensuring his distraction.

“Don’t play with me. I’m not in the mood for games. You’re not simply a human female.”

Simply a human? She’d underestimated just how far gone this guy was. “Now, why would I play games with you?” She looked up to meet his gaze. Those turquoise eyes—the dark pupils blown—burned with something she couldn’t identify, the intensity of his expression bordering on pain. She reached up and threaded her fingers through the silky soft strands of his hair. Claire almost felt bad for the guy. He was so out of it, he was practically begging to be ripped off. “If you’re not interested, I’m pretty sure there’s someone waiting for you back at your table.”

A thought occurred that he might be a pimp for top-of-the-line call girls. The woman slumped over in his booth sure looked like one. And how awesome was he for just leaving her passed out and alone like that? Creep. He was drop-dead gorgeous, but that was the thing about sin: It was always seductive.

“What’s your name?” Good lord. Wasn’t anyone interested in an anonymous hookup? She was running out of creative responses.

“Amy,” she answered. “Yours?”

“Michael.”

“No, it isn’t.” The words left Claire’s mouth before she could stop them from escaping. She didn’t usually call people out on their bullshit, just used it as leverage. But it seemed she couldn’t help but point out his lie.

He canted his head to the side and pinned her with a stare that was much too lucid for his drugged-out state. Something silvery glinted in the depths of his dark pupils and Claire gave herself a mental shake. Maybe she was getting a contact high? “Why would you say that?”#p#分页标题#e#

Yeah, Claire, why would you? She was supposed to be inviting his trust, encouraging him to lower his guard, not put him on high alert. Eye on the prize. Get your hands on that watch and get the hell out of here.

Rule of the hustle number five: Never break character. She was in a club, surrounded by drugs and alcohol. It would throw up all sorts of red flags if she was the only woman in the place who wasn’t at least rocking a buzz. She couldn’t turn off the hookup vibe she’d been sending his way just because her internal lie detector was flashing. Besides, who was she to judge?

“You just don’t look like a Michael to me, that’s all.” Claire wrapped her fingers around his large forearm, braced against the wall beside her. Holy shit, the guy must have been chiseled from marble. She caressed a path to his wrist and brought his hand down so it rested on her hip. At this angle, she should be able to flip the clasp on the watch. Once it was good and loose, he wouldn’t even notice when it slipped off his wrist.

His nostrils flared when their bodies connected, and he stepped in closer, so close that Claire had to crane her neck up to look into his face. A shiver raced across her flesh. Was it the rush of the con or the thrill of that large palm cupping her hip, his fingers squeezing her as though barely restrained? “Your scent is maddening.” His voice was a ragged, desperate growl in her ear. “And I want nothing more than to taste you.”

Okay, she’d heard weirder. But the way he spoke—his voice slightly accented in a way that made it hard to pinpoint a region—coupled with the formality of his words piqued Claire’s curiosity. Who in the hell was this guy, anyway? And just what would tasting her entail? As she contemplated the possibilities, she couldn’t deny that the prospect of having his lush mouth anywhere on her body made Claire’s brain go a little fuzzy. Rule number six of the hustle: Never lose control.

Keeping her wits about her was a must right now and she couldn’t let his sexy voice or GQ good looks distract her. The whole point of this game was to keep him so occupied that he wouldn’t notice that she’d lifted his watch. Her goal had been to get him all hot and bothered and then move in for the kill. Dude was already pretty worked up. So it was time to get on with the show.

“I have to admit, I’ve been watching you all night.” Claire made sure to keep her voice nice and breathy. “Imagining what it might be like to kiss you.” She licked her lips as she stared up into those endless blue eyes and let out a sigh that ended on a moan. His brow creased at the sound, and he rolled his hips into her. Holy shit. Is that a redwood in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? Her lips parted on a silent oh. Okay, she’d definitely gotten a contact high from someone smoking weed nearby. Because she had to be hallucinating her mark’s good looks and raw sensuality.