about to get to dangerous levels of arousal in here. Everyone’s eyes are trained on Olivia. Heads crane around booth corners, patrons rise in their seats, and conversation has stopped. All to get a glimpse of the woman every person now desires.
Nostrils flare and vampire eyes go black with longing. Drew leans in to sample a kiss at her neck. Antonio’s face starts to crumple in jealousy, and a black vibe coils in the air waiting to pounce on the rest of the crowd.
Oh, shit. This is not going well.
I leap over the bar, accompanied by a loud ripping noise, to tackle Antonio, bringing him down in one smooth, fast movement. His body presses face down into the floor and I’ve got my knee planted firmly in his back.
It’s enough to break the emotions and the patrons in the room come back to themselves in a rush. Cocks are adjusted in pants and damp underwear squirmed in on hard wooden chairs and plush booth seats alike.
“Antonio, old chap, I think the old blood is getting to you, and not in a good way. Let’s get you back to your room.”
In the time it takes for me to finish my sentence, Rafe appears at my side, motioning for me to get up. He raises Antonio to his feet with care and moves him to the door without further preamble. The whole exchange is over in less than a minute, but damn, that was a close call.
It could have been a lot worse. Hell, when I think back to past struggles to control my powers, I know exactly how bad it could have been. Judging by the breeze tickling my ass, I bet the ripping sound I heard was the kick pleat of my tight pencil skirt giving way.
People are almost back to normal and all eyes are on front and center of the bar, where Antonio was a moment ago and where now I stand, alone. Here’s the rub—do I apologize or pretend nothing happened? I’m going with playing dumb. It’s worked in the past; why mess with a good thing?
Chapter Twelve
“Not to worry everyone!” I call out cheerfully. “Antonio will be fine. He had some very old vampire blood in a cocktail which apparently didn’t agree with him.” I give a gentle push of acceptance out to the room at large so no one will question my statement.
“Nice thigh-highs and no undies there, Viv,” Charlie says, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I always wondered if you wore them or not.”
One can always count on our bartender to get the guests excited about something else. This time in particular it happens to be me, with my ass jiggling on display. Thankfully, I’m angled a bit and only mooning half of the crowd.
I zero my piercing gaze back at Charlie sitting with his fellow employees. “Break time is over. I’m going to need to head out after Rafe to check on our guest.”
Charlie grins ear to ear as he rises from his seat at the round table. “Yeah. You may want to cover up first,” he adds with a wink and laugh.
I stare at him and his chuckle subsides. He starts to head back to the bar while I decide to take my leave. Holding my head up high, I strut out of the bar and through the gentleman’s lounge like nothing is amiss with my attire.
I’m going to choose to believe those giggles and muffled laughs I hear behind me mean the guests have been properly re-directed rather than that they are laughing at me. Hey, who knows, I might be right.
I make it to the landing without anyone trying to stop me in the lounge and head over to the stairs to descend to the second floor.
Rafe, did you take Antonio back to his room?
Yes, we’ll wait for you here. What do you want to do with him?
Funny you should ask. I don’t know. Any thoughts?
Rafe pauses before answering, perhaps to give the matter some thought. My heels hit the second floor and I’m heading towards the north wing at a good clip. I do like the way the rip in my skirt allows my legs to move better. Ahh, what we do for fashion.
Rafe answers my question right before I arrive at the suite. Is there a way for you to control his projections?
I open the door and step inside, closing it behind me. “Now that’s a very good question.”
Antonio sits on the bed, looking my way with