- especially when we're chasing a killer." I paused, and allowed a small smile to touch my lips. "However, we haven't bugged you. I saw him when I was viewing the security camera tapes."
"Ah, of course." He laced his fingers and dropped them on his lap - drawing my gaze to the bulge that was his crotch. I have to say, it seemed even more impressive now than it had before. But then, if this guy was a flesh shifting wraith who could alter his body any way he wished, he wouldn't exactly be gifting himself with small bits, would he?
The lights chose that moment to go out, plunging us into darkness. I breathed a silent sigh of relief. At least things were going to plan.
So far, at least.
A few seconds later, the lights flickered and came on again, but this time their glow was much dimmer. A backup generator was powering the emergency lighting, obviously.
There was a knock at the door, and when Starke said "Enter," Boris opened the door, a tray of Bollinger and two glasses in hand. "The power has just crapped out, boss," he said, placing the tray on the little table beside Starke's chair.
"Then deal with it," Starke said, "and ensure I'm not disturbed for as long as Ms. Jenson is here."
"Which won't be long at all," I assured them both.
The barkeeper smirked. Starke merely looked amused. Once Boris had left and the door was once again closed, he said, "So why is this Murphy fellow of interest to you?"
"Because he's a hired hitman, and we don't believe his reasons for being in town."
Starke's toe was somehow caressing my leg again, and desire began to unfurl inside of me. But I didn't shift my leg, if only because it was already hard up against the arm of the chair.
"So you suspect that he's behind these beheadings?" Starke poured two glasses of Bollinger and handed one to me, his fingers lingering briefly against mine.
I pulled my hand away and placed the glass on the floor. He tut-tutted. "Come now, Ms. Jenson, you know the rules. I cannot answer questions if you're going to waste the nectar of life."
"I thought blood was the nectar of life for you vampires?"
"Only to those who do not have the good taste or the fortune to afford life's true necessities."
"Which blood is to a vampire."
"Only to some. For me, the only thing sweeter than Bollinger is the taste of a woman dripping with desire."
His gaze met mine, and caused all sorts of havoc to my breathing. I reached down, picked up the glass, and tried to get my breathing under control. Slowly in, slowly out. It was simple, really.
Only my mind fastened on the words and suddenly began imagining other things going slowly in and slowly out. And that caused still more chaos.
I took a sip of the deliciously cool liquid, but it didn't do a lot to stamp out the sparks threatening to become a bonfire.
God, if this man wasn't the wraith, then he was something just as dangerous. Hell, the use of werewolf auras were restricted by law and this damn well should be too.
I cleared my throat and said, "So, Kye Murphy."
He shrugged. It was an elegant movement. "He could have come here. I don't know everyone who visits my establishment. But perhaps a description would help?"
"He's several inches taller than me, with dark red hair, golden eyes and strong build."
"And a werewolf, like you?"
"Yes." I took another sip of champagne.
"Then I doubt it." His sudden smile was wicked. "We don't really cater to their addiction."
"We like sex, but it's not an addiction." It might be a necessity during the full moon, but that was different. I glanced surreptitiously at my watch. Little more than ten minutes had passed. Time had obviously decided to slow to a crawl. I hoped Kade and his crew weren't intending to do the same.
"So, you're admitting you like sex, and yet you refuse to have it with me. I find that most disappointing."
"I'm working. And did I mention my hot date?"
He smiled. It was lazy, insolent and oh-so sexy. "I simply thought I could get you primed and ready."
I was primed and ready to go right now, and if I didn't do something to distract this man - or whatever the hell he actually was - I was going to be exactly where he wanted me to be. In his arms and naked.
But there was only one thing more I could think