Dark Deception (Vampire Royals of New York #1) - Sarah Piper Page 0,8

and charity events nearly every night this month, each one demanding a new identity—private collector, curator, estate lawyer, art student. The whole arrangement was giving her whiplash. And that wasn’t even accounting for the rich assholes she ran into on the regular. Granted, they hadn’t all tried to corner her in a bedroom like Duchanes, but you never knew. Sometimes, words and threats could do just as much damage as hands and teeth.

A shiver rolled through her body as she remembered the ice in that awful man’s eyes, the bruising grip of his fingers. She didn’t see him among the guests now, but he had to be around somewhere. Charley was good with gut feelings, and right now, she could feel the asshole’s eyes on her, crawling over her skin.

As if he could sense her nerves, her man shifted his barstool closer, their arms brushing as he settled in.

His presence calmed her, even as it riled her up inside. As he spoke with the bartender, she stared at his lush mouth, imagining what it would feel like running over her lips, down her neck, down to her—

“You seem to be having quite a think,” he mused, turning to look at her full on.

Fucking hell, he was gorgeous. Something about his eyes… Golden-brown, threaded with rich undertones she could’ve sworn kept changing color. And that mouth…

Charley cleared her throat, blinking away the images of his red-hot kisses. “Maybe I was. Thinking about things, I mean.”

He leaned in close, warm breath stirring the fine hairs on her neck. “Wicked things, I hope.”

Damn him. She held back a shiver. That deep, liquid voice and sexy accent were enough to drive any woman wild, but his gorgeous honey-brown eyes, tousled black hair, and the confident, masculine way he carried himself sealed the deal. Even sitting down, he projected the kind of energy that could command a room.

Or a bedroom…

Charley’s thighs clenched in a weak attempt to staunch her throbbing desire.

“Wicked thoughts,” she replied, “are the only ones that make these events bearable.”

He laughed, loosening his tie and releasing a button at the top of his white dress shirt. His smile was dazzling—equally rakish and warm, the kind of smile that warned of dangerous, delicious things to come. “So it isn’t the pleasant company?”

“Tonight? Not so much.”

He didn’t respond, just pinned her with his fiery gaze until the arrival of their drinks broke the heated connection.

She had no idea how he’d guessed her favorite drink, but he passed her the Sapphire and tonic, raising his scotch in a toast. “To better company.”

“Mine or yours?” she teased.

“That, love, remains to be seen.”

They clinked glasses and drank, their eyes locked in an unspoken dare.

Here’s a man who can dish it out and take it too. Yum.

A dim warning rang in Charley’s head, but she shut it down. She was a professional, God dammit. She didn’t need warnings. Her eyes were firmly fixed on the prize. Right now, flirting with the hot stranger who’d come to her rescue was just part of the persona. And what harm could it do? It was just a drink and a few laughs. She deserved to indulge in a little fun with a smart, sexy guy.

Rudy would never know about it.

Rudy. The thought of him soured the sweet bite of gin on her tongue, and she let out a soft sigh, knowing she’d have to respond to his messages before he came looking for her.

Owned. That’s how she felt. A familiar rage burned beneath her skin, but again, she thought of her sister. Of the life she wanted to build for them both. A legitimate job, a cute little house, maybe an art collection of their own, no strings attached.

It was her “someday” vision, and Charley held onto it like a lifeline.

But the only way to get to someday was to go through now. So after some harmless flirting, she’d sit in on the auction, make a few fake bids, then slip away to finish the job she’d started in the bedrooms.

“I never did catch your name.” The man held out his hand for a proper introduction. “I’m—”

“Don’t tell me. You’ll ruin my fantasy about a torrid affair with a mysterious stranger.”

“Torrid affair?” He cleared his throat, further loosening his tie. “Our relationship is progressing rather urgently.”

Charley tapped her temple. “Wicked thoughts, remember?”

“How many of these auctions have you been to?”

“Enough to know how to thoroughly entertain myself.”

And enough to know not to give out her name, fake or otherwise. Her carefully