her own body. It had calmed her at the same time as it had excited her.
Quickly, she alighted from the car and went around it to Aiden’s side. But he was already walking toward the open garage door. She caught up with him and grabbed his arm.
He whirled his head to her, glancing at her hand that held onto his forearm. His eyes blazed at her, making her stumble over her own feet. When he caught her, both his hands dug into her biceps. The heat in his eyes made her feel flushed despite the cool night air that touched her skin.
“What is it?” Worry colored his voice.
“I . . . I,” she stammered, then swallowed away her fear. She wasn’t too proud to beg. Anything to be safe. “Please, you have to keep me invisible.”
Slowly his features softened and the grip on her arms loosened. His hands stroked down her arms, his movements deliberate and steady. A shiver ran down her spine. She knew what he did was only to calm her, but that didn’t stop her from perceiving his touch as sensual, as caressing.
She closed her eyes, unable to withstand his intense gaze any longer. It only intensified his scent that wrapped around her like a protective cocoon. Or maybe it was simply what it felt like to be invisible: hot, protected, aware of everything around her. Earlier, when they’d been at Inter Pharma, she’d been in shock and unable to understand what was happening to her. Even in the car when she’d put her hand on his thigh to remain cloaked, she had concentrated more on his words than on the effect his body had on her.
But now . . . now all distractions were gone, pushed into the distance, and all she felt was his presence. The power that danced on his skin, the strength that oozed from his muscles, and the heat that radiated outward.
With a sigh, she lifted her lids, her gaze colliding with his.
His face was only inches from hers, his lips parted, his breath bouncing against hers. Nervously, she licked her lower lip and noticed his eyes hone in on her action. Oh, God, if he tried to kiss her now, she wouldn’t be able to resist him. On the contrary, she would press her body against him shamelessly, begging him to take her. It would help her forget everything she’d been through, forget the danger she was in, even if it was only for a short time.
“We have to go inside,” he suddenly said and stepped back, taking her hand into his at the same time.
In a daze, she followed him out of the garage, which he closed behind them. As they rounded the corner, she looked down the street. Yellow, orange, and red neon signs flickered on nearly each building. Her eyes adjusted, reading the signs.
Her feet froze. “This is the red light district.” Sign after sign advertised personal services: girls they read, or massage; she even saw one that advertised nude girls.
Aiden shrugged and pulled her along. “I’m aware of that.”
As they walked past a slutty looking woman—clearly a hooker—Leila instinctively made a wide berth around her. The woman gave her a lascivious smile, looking her up and down.
“How about a date?”
Leila gave her a shocked stare, surprised at being propositioned.
The whore grinned as if she enjoyed her discomfort. “A threesome then, honey? Fifty bucks and I’ll eat your pussy while your man fucks me from behind.”
Leila’s chin dropped at the open taunt. She’d never been so speechless in her entire life.
“Maybe some other time,” Aiden answered and pulled her away.
Leila found her voice again. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe you said that.” Was he really considering such an outrageous act?
“That’s what you get for staring,” he chuckled at her side.
Was he suggesting she had provoked the hooker’s offer? “I didn’t—”
“I’m afraid, you did. And that’s exactly why she teased you.” He paused and gave her a sideways glance.
That’s when she realized something.
“Oh, no!” How could they even see her? A shot of adrenaline bolted through her body, making her heart beat into her throat. “Why am I not invisible?”
“Relax. You’re still invisible to the demons. But I chose to let us be seen by humans.”
“You can do that?” Her pulse steadied a little.
“Yes.”
“But why? Wouldn’t it be safer if nobody saw us?”
“It takes a lot of energy to cloak us both from humans and demons. I prefer to conserve mine when there’s no absolute need.”
Well, it appeared