Keri Arthur - Circle of Desire

A chill raced a warning across her skin. She looked toward the door as it opened, and her stomach dropped to the vicinity of her toes.

The man who entered was tall and powerfully built, with chiselled features and dark blonde hair. The sheer sexual energy radiating off him told her this was the werewolf she sought. But he was not the reason for the sudden rush of fear. That honour went to the petite, somewhat gaunt oriental woman who stopped beside him. The soul sucker.

The other woman scanned the room, and Kat dropped her gaze. Though she now wore a blonde wig and coloured contact lenses, she wasn't about to risk the Mara recognizing her. The heat of the soul sucker's gaze lingered for a moment then moved on.

Relief surged through her. She looked up again. The Mara headed left, the werewolf to the right. Kat hesitated, half thinking about going after the soul sucker. But in reality, she knew that was a move best kept until they knew more about what would kill it. For now, it was better to chip away at the Mara's defences by getting rid of her lieutenants.

She finished her drink in one gulp, then walked to the bar and ordered two more. Once back in the shadows, she slipped the herbs into one glass and watched the werewolf prowl around the room. The force of his aura rolled before him like a wave, hitting men and women alike.

Obviously, this particular wolf wasn't too choosy as to what sex he mated with. Their sighs and stares followed in his wake, but he didn't stop, his gaze continuing to hunt the room.

Her stomach began to churn. She checked to make sure the herbs had disintegrated, and then she walked toward him.

The heat of his aura hit her like a punch to the stomach. It left her breathless, hot, and yet oddly uneasy. Because while this werewolf's aura was every bit as powerful as Ethan's, there was an undercurrent of violence in his energy that shook her to the core. Sex with this man would not be pleasant… maybe not even survivable.

She stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop. His gaze collided with hers, and deep in the blue depths she saw madness and hunger. A chill ran down her spine, but she forced a smile and offered him a glass. "You look like a man in search of a drink."

His smile was high wattage, sexy, yet one that left her cold.

"Thank you." His voice, like his smile, was designed to seduce.

He took the drink, the brief touch of his fingers hot and somehow needy. She resisted the urge to wipe her hand and raised her glass, taking a sip. The sweet liquid only succeeded in further agitating her stomach. "Do you come here often?"

"Yes. And I haven't seen you here before."

His gaze slid casually down her body then rose to meet hers again. The desire so evident in his eyes made her throat go dry. Heat surged between them, caressing her skin with its intensity. And while she reacted physically, it left her numb deep inside. Which was odd, given how susceptible she was to Ethan the minute he came within arm's length.

"No," she murmured. "I'm just passing through."

Something surged in his eyes. Relief. Perhaps even triumph. He swallowed the last of his champagne then placed the glass on the nearby table. "Shall we dance?"

She hesitated briefly, but knew she had no choice. She had to let him think his aura was doing its job, that she was indeed struck with desire for him. She downed her drink in a gulp that left her head buzzing, and placed her glass beside his. He pressed a hand against her back as he guided her down to the dance floor, his fingers caressing her spine, sending chills skating across her skin. The music swirled around them, its beat heavy, languid. The floor was crowded with sweating, needy people, and she could almost smell their lust. He pulled her close, his body hard and smelling faintly of pine and death. His touch slid down to caress her rear. Had it been Ethan, she would have ached. With this wolf, the only true sensation she had was fear.

She lifted her gaze to his again. "Doesn't your girlfriend mind you dancing this… intimately… with others?"

Tension flowed briefly through his limbs, and the hand holding her side dug deep. Pain slithered through her, and she bit down on a yelp.

He raised a pale eyebrow, his gaze all cold heat.

"Girlfriend?"

She nodded. "I saw you come in and was disappointed to see you weren't alone."

His grip relaxed a little. "Ah, you mean Ming. She's my employer, not my lover."

"She's very pretty."

The hand on her rear moved to her thigh. Goose bumps fled across her skin.

"Yeah, but I've learned the hard way it's dangerous to mix business with pleasure with someone like Ming."

There went the vague hope that the soul sucker might kill the werewolf in the midst of passion. "So, what sort of business are you in?"

"Feeding the young."

His touch moved under her skirt and caressed bare skin.

The tremor that ran through her had nothing to do with desire. She fought the flash of kinetic energy and raised an eyebrow. "Charity work?"

"No. Not unless you consider self-interest a charity." His other hand slid under her breast. She couldn't help trembling again, and he chuckled softly. "Is this what you want?"

He caught a nipple between his thumb and finger and squeezed hard. Her moan was one of pain rather than ecstasy, but he didn't seem to care. He brushed a kiss across her cheek, his breath hot and foul as it fanned her skin. His mouth moved down to hers, but at the last moment she turned away, pressing the slightest kiss to his neck instead. Even that brief contact had her stomach squirming in distaste.

The waves of his aura were blasting her with heated desire. Her nipples hardened in response, and her breathing became more rapid. Yet they were both outward signs of a response she didn't feel inside.

She swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat and said, "Have you lived around these parts long?"

He shrugged and cupped her breast, kneading it hard through the gauzy material of her shirt. "Ten months."

Energy prickled across her fingertips. She clenched her hand behind him, fighting the desire to smack him across the room. "So you like it here enough to stay?"

He snorted. "No. We're only here until the kids are old enough — " He stopped, suspicion darkening his expression.

Fear stirred. She ran a hand down his body and pressed her palm against the hardness so visible under his jeans.

"Perhaps we should do something about this before we continue our chat."

Suspicion fled, replaced by avid hunger. "We could go somewhere more secluded," he whispered into her neck.

"And dance a little more intimately."

She shivered. There was no way in hell she was going to be caught alone outside with this man. She didn't like the edge of violence so evident in his aura — and besides, there was the soul sucker to consider. She might be able to cope with one madman, but two was pushing her limits.

"It's too cold outside," she murmured, running a finger back up his chest and undoing the top button of his shirt.

"But I noticed earlier that the ladies room has a lock."

Amused anticipation gleamed in his eyes. His hand slid up her thigh and settled on her rear, but his touch was so hot it felt as if he was branding her.

"I like your thinking."

So did she. At least help was within yelling distance if she got into trouble. "Then let's go."

She stepped away and caught his hand, leading the way through the crowded dance floor. When they neared the restroom she released him, her smile teasing as she looked up. "I'll just go check to make sure we're alone."

"Don't be long." His voice was brusque and edged with hunger.

The urge to run all but swamped her. She forced her smile and entered the restroom. It was empty. She checked the stalls anyway then reached up to close the window.