All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,3

“I am.”

Step one: check. On to step two. “And you’re not leaving?”

“Heck, no.” Her stubborn chin rises again.

“Good. May I buy you a drink?”

“I’d like that. I’m Gwen, by the way.”

“Good to meet you, Gwen. Shall we?” I guide her forward with light pressure on her back. Her posture is perfect, although she stumbles a bit in her heels. “Easy, babygirl.” I steady her with an arm around her shoulders. She fits neatly in the half circle of my arm. It feels right.

“I’m not used to wearing heels,” she tells me. “These are new.”

With my help, we ease around the dance floor and make it to the bar without incident.

“What are you drinking?” I ask.

“Um,” she bites her lip in that adorable manner, “I don’t actually know. Something fruity?”

Adorable.

“An Arizona sunset for the lady,” I tell the bartender. “Light on the rum. Plus my usual.”

When our drinks come, I hold mine out for a toast.

“I’m Gwen.”

“Dimitri.”

“I’ve always wanted to come here.”

“I know this club well. Allow me to be your guide tonight. I promise to make it a night to remember.” I raise her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. She smells like sugar, sweet enough to eat. My fangs sharpen. “We’ll drink, we’ll dance, we’ll talk.”

She giggles, the sound like champagne bubbles. “That sounds good.”

I pull her close, then, and whisper into the silken shell of her ear. “And then, if everything goes well, I’m going to seduce you.”

Chapter 2

Gwen

His voice rolls over me, more potent than rum. I sway on my feet, and he holds me closer.

“Is that all right, little Gwen?”

I duck my head to the side. “I’m not that little,” I mutter, to stall.

“You are to me.”

The DJ changes the song to a new sexy single, and the bass throbs through me. I tuck myself closer to him. And, just like that, we’re dancing together, as natural as anything.

“Are you supposed to tell me you’re going to seduce me? Aren’t you supposed to just do it?”

He cocks a brow. “Is that what you’d prefer?”

I’m about to say hell yes, when I catch sight of Chad and his new lover talking to two tattooed bouncers in the coat check area before disappearing.

Dimitri twists to follow my line of sight.

“Where are they going?” I ask. “Is there a gay bar down there?”

Dimitri chuckles. “So innocent. Something like that.”

“Can anyone go down there?”

“No. You have to be invited.” His dark gaze entices me. “Do you want me to invite you?”

My hands tighten on his arms. “Can we?”

“Are you sure? There are some things you can’t unsee.”

“Yes. I want to see.”

“You’ll need to stay close to me. And do as I say.”

“Okay.”

“This is important, little one. I need you to promise to be good.” His finger traces my lips. It should rub me the wrong way, his possessive touch, but I love it.

“I’ll be good.” I whisper.

“Good girl. Come.” His hand slides down my arm and grasps mine. “Stay close.”

We’re halfway down the stairs when I think of something.

“Dimitri?” My voice comes out small. “Are you gay?”

“No,” he turns toward me, and I can tell he’s smiling in the dark, “I’m not. This isn’t a gay club.”

“Then what is it?”

“Wait and see.”

I feel like Alice following the white rabbit. Except Dimitri is no rabbit. More like a demon from the dark, come to lead me straight to hell.

There’s a red glow at the bottom of the stairs. I halt. Dimitri stops with me, waiting politely for me to gather my courage.

“Ready?” he asks, his deep voice caressing my raw nerves.

“I’m ready. I can do this.”

“Good girl. I’ll take care of you.” His thumb rubs the back of my hand, promising all sorts of things. I’ll take care of you—quite the double entendre.

Yes, please.

We reach the bottom step and emerge into the reddish light. This part of the club looks totally different from the dance floor and bar and booths upstairs. The first thing I see is a man in a suit lounging in a large leather chesterfield. He holds out his hand, and another younger man approaches and drops to his knees in front of the man in the chair. The younger man is totally naked. My mouth drops open.

Across from them, another couple sip from wine glasses and chat like nothing’s weird. The man in the suit leans back and pulls the naked man between his legs.

I gasp.

“You’re staring.” Dimitri chuckles.

I realize I’m clinging to him, but when I go to step back, he drapes an arm