two glasses of ice water. This desert heat was intense. I’d take swampy humidity over this hellfire any day.
“I’ll be watching you every step of the way,” you reminded me as I stood to make my way over. “You’re safe here, but don’t hesitate to call for me.”
I smoothed down my hair as best I could. After so many hours traveling, I was sure I smelled ripe. “How do I look?”
“Succulent,” you said without even a hint of a smirk.
I crossed the restaurant and claimed the empty barstool next to the man. I rested my elbows on the counter, then remembered it was bad manners, so I forced my hands between my knees to have somewhere to put them. I smelled coffee, bacon, and the staleness of hours-old sweat and diesel fuel. My eyes darted in his direction, and he gave me a sociable smile.
“Have you been on the road for a while?” I asked him.
“Is it that obvious?”
My face heated. I’d insulted him right off the bat. Not the best way to initiate things. “Not at all. I just figured from your hat…”
His face broke into a grin. “Yeah, I did a leg from Reno to Vegas today. Heading back in the morning after I lose all my money at the casinos tonight.”
“You like to gamble?” I asked.
“At times. It’d be better for my wallet if I stayed away from the slots. Lady Luck does not favor me. You play?”
“A bit of poker. This is my first time in Vegas, though.” I’d bet it was a lot different from hustling high school boys.
The man offered his hand and asked me my name, then introduced himself as Dalvin.
“Where are you from, Vincent?”
“Florida. Miami.”
“That’s a long haul. What brings you to Vegas?”
“My friend brought me out here.” I glanced over to where you were sitting, your eyes deadly focused on the two of us. If I didn’t know you better, it would have freaked me out.
“Friend, huh?” the man followed my gaze. “Doesn’t look too friendly to me.”
I wanted to tell him your bark was worse than your bite, but that wasn’t true, was it?
“He’s nicer than he looks,” I assured him.
How one approached these types of arrangements, I had no idea. But I knew how to get people to open up. I placed a hand on Dalvin’s forearm, drawing his attention to my eyes so that I could trap his gaze.
“Are you into men, Dalvin?”
His big, brown eyes widened at my suggestion, but he didn’t pull away. There was a new scent in the air, and a thin sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead and neck. His pulse was a steady drumming in my ears, like ocean waves growing louder with each passing second. There were times when I wished I didn’t have such sensitive perceptions, but for these types of situations, it was truly a gift.
“I could be into you,” he said lowly. “What are you offering?”
I licked my lips and accidentally bit down. I was so hungry. Dalvin offered me his napkin to blot the blood.
“Maybe we could discuss it somewhere else?”
“If you’re planning to rob me, I don’t have much cash.”
Ouch. But I guess it was stupid for that to hurt my feelings, since we were planning to take something from him.
“I wouldn’t do that,” I assured him.
“You might not, but I don’t trust your friend over there.”
I glanced back at you, warmed by your protectiveness. I gave you a reassuring look so you wouldn’t leap out of your seat and interrupt us.
“He just wants to make sure I don’t get hurt. You’re a big man.” I ducked my head and gazed up at him flirtatiously.
From the shine in his eyes I could tell that Dalvin liked that. Men and their obsession with size. I was guilty of it too, being the runt of the litter. I ran my hand through my hair, tilted my head suggestively, and bared my neck—all tricks I’d learned from watching Valentina. My bloodlust was making me reckless. I could drink him down right there.
Dalvin pulled out his wallet and laid some bills on the countertop, then flashed me the contents—a few twenties, a five, some ones.
“This enough?” he asked.
“Is that your gambling money?”
“I’m guessing you’d make me feel better than the slots.”
I smiled at his sweetness. “Is your place nearby?”
“Just a short walk down the road.” He climbed off his stool and seemed to want to touch me but hesitated. Perhaps it was your death glare or the fact