"DRAVEN!" I shouted but once again he just laughed off my reprimand. Meanwhile everyone in the VIP was witnesses this and some laughed at the sight. Draven was un-affected by their stares and even sounded somewhat proud of the sight at having a squirming girlfriend in his arms like a fireman. I couldn"t help feel heat burn under my skin as the whole of the upstairs continued to watch our every move. I noticed new faces that I had never seen before and realised most of the old faces I had become accustomed to, were no longer sat at their usual tables. I was however happy to see my cousin"s face turn a strange shade of scarlet along with another blonde at the table...Aurora.
Ok, so being over Draven"s shoulder did have quite a few advantages, the most obvious being the way he made me feel below but also seeing my rivals red with rage was somewhat satisfying!
We stopped and I turned round to see him place two fingertips to the gla.s.s and it opened to let the cold night air in. Thankfully, I still had my jacket on but it still took my breath away, and in this temperature you could see it leaving me. I think he felt me shiver because he squeezed me tighter before lowering me to the ground and spinning me round so that my back turned. I soon found myself situated between the stone wall and pinned by one hot h.o.r.n.y male. I braced myself for the cold to penetrate my jacket as he walked me backwards but he placed a palm against it before backing me up completely. His eyes concentrated for a split second and then stepped into me closing the s.p.a.ce between us and pressed himself up against me, now making me feel the immense heat from both sides. He still had his palm out to the wall and soon his other joined in blocking me in. Not that I minded but it was once again making it difficult for me to remember how to breathe.
"Is that for me?" I asked shyly, still not being able to look up at him.
"I do not like it when you are cold and this is the only private place I can have you alone. Unless you will agree to come back to our bedchamber with me?" He said raising one eyebrow.
"No, Draven, I"m here to work remember?" I said more sternly giving my shyness a back burner. He laughed making me cross my arms, which wasn"t easy, giving the small s.p.a.ce he gave me.
"And you are willing to leave me to your cousin"s devices alone, unprotected and without your body to comfort me?" Now I was the one laughing at his raised eyebrow that looked s.e.xy as h.e.l.l when he did it.
"I think you will survive, besides you can thank your sister for that! I don"t know what she was thinking" His evil grin told me he did.
"Come on, out with it." I said making him raise his eyes in surprise.
"I do believe you have developed the talent of reading me too well, I will have to watch myself around you." His velvet voice teased.
"I also have an inbuilt stalling detector and guess what Draven...it"s buzzing." He laughed again and his hands came up to hold my face. He leaned down and claimed my lips to his. He deepened the kiss when I tried to move and with that I couldn"t resist. I was soon getting lost in his mouth and the way he moved us both had me so close to saying "to h.e.l.l with work, let"s go big boy!"
His hands started to move from my neck and find the zip to my jacket. I could barely hear the sound of my jacket being opened to reveal my body over my heavy breathing. Man, I wanted him and when I felt him smile in the kiss I knew he had heard that part in my mind.
I soon wasn"t the only one breaking our locked lips as I let out a gasp at the feel of my body lifting. He had grabbed my legs so quickly I barely felt him move. He had pulled them apart and stepped his body in their place. He then wrapped them around his waist so that his body held all my weight. I was pinned to the wall and his arousal became clear. Actually it was as clear as being prodded with an iron bar! He then slid his hands up my shoulders and down my arms to pull the sides of my jacket away revealing my heaving chest. He stopped what he was doing to stare down at me making me self-conscious.
"Is something wrong?" I asked now getting worried at his frozen hands and hidden expression. His features were in shadow but it was easy to spot his smile as his perfect teeth flashed white.
"Wrong? Why would you ask that? That word should never be allowed to be used when you are around." He sound half amused and half deadly serious, which was such a contrast, it was confusing.
"Then why have you stopped?"
"To admire my Vixen. I never thought a woman dressed more like a man could turn me on to the point of embarra.s.sment." I frowned and shook my head to disagree but with one hand rested on my behind to hold me up the other was free to pull at the tip of my tie. He was right, I guess I was dressed more like him than myself. Minus the jacket of course.
"I remember the night you first wore a tie, in fact, I kept it. Not being able to keep all of you, I decided I could take a part of you to remember." I closed my eyes at the memory he spoke of and for the second time this night I was reminiscing.
The feel of his fingertips running down my neck made me arch my head backwards to give him further access. The shirt I wore was a cross over so it didn"t reach my neck and the tie I wore low so the knot rested between my curves. Curves he was now trying to explore.
"I want to take you inside and make you mine completely, will you let me do this?" He asked, which was a first. He started kissing my neck as if to seal the deal but I had to remain in control. I wanted to hold onto the small amount of power I had and decided no matter how h.o.r.n.y I was I would show some restraint. I wanted Hilary to see that I did work in the VIP and not just spend all my time being felt up by Draven. So with all the will I had, I said the words my body disagreed with.
"No, Draven I have to work." It came out like the lie it was. My skin wanted his touch, I was craving for it to the point that if he merely said the word "s.e.x" then I would find my release. However, my words didn"t seem to register as he continued to taste me any way he could. It felt so good to be under his hands after the day I"d had but every time I was about to cave and let him have his way with me, I saw Hilary"s face pop in my head and knew I would never hear the end of it if I left with Draven. So with one last effort I reached up to push at Draven"s chest. At first he didn"t feel it so I tried a different approach. I concentrated on letting some of my barriers down and shouted out in my head, "STOP!" This made him react. I could see the shock in his eyes as he let me go and let my body glide down until my feet were touching the ground.
"I"m sorry, I"m not sure it meant to be heard as a shout. I just know that if I left now, without working, I wouldn"t ever hear the end of it with Hilary." It all came out in a mumble but he seemed to understand me, I think maybe he was getting used to it.
"And you care, why?" He said seriously, now being the one to fold his arms. He didn"t look very happy with me and felt like chuckling at how spoilt he was being. So instead of giving him an answer he wouldn"t understand I just raised myself on my tiptoes and put my hands on his face.
"I love you Draven but don"t be spoilt." And then I finished with pulling his face down so that I could kiss his nose, however I only just managed to reach his chin. He was still frowning but it had softened him a little. I tried to turn and move out from his stance but when one arm flashed out like it was spring loaded, I stopped dead and sighed.
"Draven, be reasonable," I said turning to meet his gaze. I could feel it burning into me so I might as well look at it, to complete the total lack of co-operation. I was shocked however when I saw him grinning in a smug, self-congratulating way. I frowned.
"What?" I asked trying not to bite my lip at the sight of a smile that drove me wild.
"Oh, nothing." He shrugged and when I let out a little growl he laughed before elaborating.
"Just a thought that you didn"t bank on, but me however, well let"s just say it"s going to make for an interesting night." He made a clicking noise with his tongue and winked at me making my heart flutter. He played the "bad boy" only too well and it made me want to crumble at the sight. This time he turned to leave and I doubted my arm stopping him was going to be as effective! So I grabbed his suit jacket instead, making him stop to look down at me with eyes I nearly lost myself in.
"And what is that supposed to mean exactly?" I couldn"t keep the negative tone out of my question, just like he couldn"t keep the arrogant smile from touching the corners of his perfect lips. He then reached for my hand that was still clutching at his collar and uncurled my fingers from the material. He lifted my now free hand to his arrogant smile and kissed it like a perfect gentleman would. His eyes found me over my knuckles and they flashed deep purple at his own thoughts.
"See you soon Keira...I"m looking forward to an evening when my favourite person is the topic of conversation." My mouth dropped open and inhaled cold air quickly making him laugh as he turned away.
"NO wait! I have changed my mind, I think we should go." The words tumbled out in panic and he turned only his head as the rest of his beautiful body faced towards the frosted gla.s.s. He had one eyebrow raised and again looked too s.e.xy for words. Breathe Keira, just breathe, I reminded myself.
"Relax my love, they"re only stories." He turned fully now and trailed one fingertip along my jaw line and down to the hollow of my throat. I couldn"t help but close my eyes at the touch.
"Keira stories." He whispered and my eyes flashed open but were met with the empty s.p.a.ce where Draven once stood. He had gone without making a sound. I couldn"t help the chill that snaked up my back now my heat source was gone. I looked down to do my jacket back up but it was already zipped shut. How did that happen? Man, oh man...he was good!
I swallowed the huge lump that was named Hilary down my dry throat and stood not knowing quite what to do next. This was bad...very, very bad.
I took a few deep breaths and when that still didn"t seem enough to make me walk back through the doors I took a few more. I could just imagine Draven smirking at my cowardly behaviour as no doubt he still knew I was out here. Maybe if I waited long enough he would come out and get me. NO, then she would win and I would feel like a failure. I mean this was war right? Then it was time to fight fire with fire and this time I wasn"t going to be the one burnt...oh no, this time I wasn"t going to play by any rules. To h.e.l.l with rules of conduct. To h.e.l.l with rules of right and wrong. What was fair or not, I just didn"t care anymore. This was going to be the night that Hilary would see a different Keira.
This is the night that Hilary would see the side that plays with Demons and has Angels on her side! Oh yes this time it would be...oh so different!
OK, so my bad a.r.s.e att.i.tude was fooling no one, especially me. But h.e.l.l...at least it had made me open the doors and come in from the balcony. I tried not to look at the table that was currently entertaining my own personal nightmare. Freddy"s razor hands and Jason"s hockey mask had nothing on the sight of Hilary flirting with my boyfriend. So I didn"t look. I refused to look. I walked over to the bar and was met by Karmun.
"Hey Chica, how"s my favourite human?"He gave me a smile that instantly put me at ease and made me forget my justifiable worries.
"I have been better, Karmun," I replied bitterly and for the first time I allowed myself to look over to his table. I saw Draven laughing and I didn"t know whether it was something Hilary had just said or that he had overheard my comment. I hoped for the latter and knew full well that his superior hearing was up to it.
I walked behind the bar and into the back room that no one but me used. There I took off my jacket and lay it across the back of one of the only chairs in this tiny little s.p.a.ce. There wasn"t much room for furniture but there was a small desk that held nothing more than dust. I walked over to the mirror I usually gave myself the once over in before I started my shift and it took me back to the days that my heart beat faster and my stomach held nothing but knots at the idea of seeing Draven. Of course my body still reacted like that but now I was with him, it didn"t ever last all night like it used too.
I twisted a loose strand back up into its place and straightened my tie, not being able to keep the grin of my face. The recent memory of Draven tugging at it on the balcony at least gave me some more colour to my very pale face. I looked up from my tie and let out a gasp at what I was seeing.
The mirror no longer held my image but was now white and steamy. I shuddered at another memory and almost screamed as words started to form in the picture of mist. It took me back to that night Justin kissed me and what horrors followed with the writing in my truck window. It was the same and yet it felt different at the same time. It was as if someone was trapped inside the mirror world and writing messages to communicate words they could not say. Of course as soon as the words started to become readable I let out my held breathe and my shoulder muscles relaxed.
You look beautiful my love Remember not to work too hard or you will have your boss to answer to See you soon Vixen D x I don"t know how he managed to write perfect script in vapour covered gla.s.s but he did. It wasn"t fair that even like this his writing made mine look like the scribbles of a child in comparison. I ended up walking out of there giggling to myself and biting my bottom lip in between the little snorting noises I was making. Karmun eyed me curiously but remained silent on the matter. This was a small factor compared to my other audience, that even though was across the room, I could still feel his eyes taking in my reaction to his private message.
I managed the rest of the night without giving into my natural impulses and looking his way. I don"t know how but I could almost taste his displeasure at this and felt as though I had paid him back for earlier. Now I was the one being smug. However it didn"t last long as my mind kept twisting into why"s, wants and what"s. Why had my cousin been asked here? How I Wanted her to leave and most importantly, What was it that she was telling the man I loved?
My cousin"s presence wasn"t the only difference in tonight"s shift. I wasn"t allowed to waitress tonight. Well to be exact there wasn"t much I was allowed to do! Karmun soon informed me that due to Draven"s new guests, he didn"t think it wise for me (as a human) to be serving them quite so soon. He wanted them to get "used" to my being here.
I had sulked for a few minutes and then gave up trying. I mean, he may be my boyfriend, but he was also my boss. So instead I was to help Karmun behind the bar. It didn"t take long for me to feel more in the way than help. Not with me keep having to ask him questions on where things were and what drinks go in what gla.s.ses. It wasn"t exactly like any bar I had ever worked behind before. For one I had no idea how he knew which drinks were being ordered?
"I"m being more of a hindrance than help," I said to him half an hour into my shift and b.u.mping into him for the seventh time in three minutes. He just laughed and smoothed out his silken hair with both hands. Karmun had lush coffee coloured skin and large almond shaped golden eyes that looked like honey. His black, long hair hung perfect past his shoulders and never once seem to get in the way of his job. Mine, no doubt would have been caught in everything if down and drinking from gla.s.ses to find meter long hair curled up in was not an appealing thought. These were just one of the many reasons that I almost always kept it up and firmly out of the way. Unless of course I was with Draven, then I never seemed to have a choice in the matter as it was obvious how he preferred it to be.
He soon shrugged off my worries and gave me a rea.s.suring smile.
"You"re too kind to me you know?" I said quietly as he poured drinks into exquisite looking silver goblets.
"Oh Keira, what a sensitive soul you are. Actually it"s nice to have the company again." He said this and I could have sworn I saw a hint of sadness in his eyes. One he was trying to hide.
"Again? Were there two of you behind here?" I asked, although I could tell it made him uncomfortable to speak of. He looked like he wasn"t going to answer at first but when the silence got too much he answered me.
"Yes, before you came. Do you remember when you first came up to the VIP?" He asked me and made a gurgled noise as my answer. Did I remember? How could I ever forget. That was the night that changed my life forever...you don"t forget things like that easily.
"Well, do you remember when I told you we were short staffed due to..." He looked like he couldn"t finish so unbelievably I finished for him. Unbelievably, because my memory is not one of my strong points.
"Compromising circ.u.mstances!" This had been a term he had used on my first meeting with him and I had thought it odd back then to use that explanation of someone rather quitting or getting sacked. I couldn"t ignore the flinch I saw his body displayed as I repeated his own words.
"You have a good memory Keira. Yes me and Constantine made a...a good pair." He looked so full of pain that I couldn"t help it when I placed a hand on his arm.
"I"m sorry," I whispered and this brought his eyes out of his own personal response and they flew back to mine. He then slowly looked down and stared at my hand touching his. I didn"t know whether I had gone too far by my comforting gesture but when he smiled I no longer felt threatened. I still removed my hand in case it was in fact unwelcome.
"Why are you sorry?" He asked in earnest and I wondered at the answer. I mean I didn"t know the details. So I answered as honestly as I could.
"I can see that this Constantine must have been a dear friend to you." I said without meeting his eyes, that didn"t look natural being so serious.
"He was...IS... more than a friend to me!" This time the way he said "IS" had me looking up and I couldn"t help but take a step back at the sight of his anger. Karmun was all air and summer breezes but like this all trace of calm was gone and in its place was the darkest of storms. When he noted my response the deep creases in his face smoothed and his eyes widened from the harden slits they were.
Then it was as if we had never had this conversation. He gave himself a laugh and a shake before continuing with the night ahead. I may have only been human but it didn"t stop me from knowing his light-hearted mood was touched with a fake coating that hid something painful that he tried to bury deep within him.
I knew from that moment I would never look at him in the same way. I would never forget those honey eyes close to spilling over with a devastated emotion of loss. I knew those eyes. I knew that look and I knew that pain. Only where his was for another, mine had been for the loss of myself. Staring at yourself in the mirror for hours, searching for a face you once knew, was what made time flash by in the years that followed my living death. After what happened with Morgan I felt the strongest part of me die and it was only the heart of another that brought me back to life.
With these thoughts in mind I turned without thinking towards the one who held my heart so close to his own, it made one. Draven was sat back all ease and power radiating from him like glowing embers. It made me inhale more air than needed and the slight noise I made was enough for him to hear and turn his head. His reaction caused mine to bite my lip. He grinned at me and then motioned for me to come to him. His hand extended and his fingers pulled as though he had me hooked. I was embarra.s.sed at such a command being made in front of everyone so freely and I lowered my head letting the shorter parts of my hair fall forward covering my shame. I did manage, without looking at him, to shake my head indicating a no before turning away from him. I could hear him laughing from here. This caused my cheeks to turn a deeper shade which I hid with my hair. When I did finally glance back I saw him lean into his sister to whisper to her, all the while a super confident smile lay upon his lips like it would never go away.
"He wants me to tell you that you have finished for the night." Karmun said bringing me back to the fact I wasn"t alone.
"Umm...no I"m not, I work till ten and it"s only..." I was interrupted before finding out the time.
"He"s the Mast...boss Keira not me and you finish whenever he wishes it." He tried to say this without emotion but I could detect the bitterness in the way he was about to say "Master" instead he choose the word boss. I was now caught between stubbornness and curiousness. I didn"t want to give in so easily but then again, I didn"t know what tainted stories my cousin was telling everyone on Draven"s council. I bet Aurora was loving it! That thought made me shudder. It was also the reason my stubbornness won.
"I don"t care what Draven says" I said a little louder than what was necessary for only Karmun to hear. He looked shocked at my lack of co-operation and a little impressed, I think.
"I am here to work and so far I have done little of that, so please give me a job I can do that makes me think I am worthy of being paid." He smiled at me now making me do the same, but his smile soon became directed behind me. At first I expected to see Draven as I turned but then I had to smile when I saw he had sent his reinforcement. So this is what he had being whispering...sneaky!
"h.e.l.lo Keira, are you ready to come and play with us?" Sophia asked me sweetly rocking back and to on her heels. She looked like a little ballerina from a trinket box and the image of that I quickly wiped from my memory and started to rub my gloved arms unselfconsciously.
Sophia noticed my reaction, of course she did. She was like her brothers, always watching and a.n.a.lysing everything I did. It was an annoying family trait. Like everyone was waiting for the first signs of a meltdown I knew wasn"t going to happen. At least this is what I suspected anyway.
"I was just telling Karmun how my time isn"t up yet so he should give me another job to do...maybe stocking up or something." They both laughed at the idea of this.
"What?" I asked them both frowning.
"I doubt Dom would like you heavy lifting Keira." She said in composed amus.e.m.e.nt.
"Draven doesn"t want me doing anything! Working, full stop." I ranted out but she took little seriousness in my words.
"Oh Keira, come now, what exactly do you see wrong in that sentence. My brother is now getting persecuted for what.... being too thoughtful?" She was trying not to smile at knowing guilt was my biggest weakness.
"I...I...that"s not what I meant, I just..." I was close to chewing my bottom lip off at a statement that sounded reasonable enough, that it was hard to argue against. Not that I still didn"t want to and with the added look of victory in her face made it all that harder not too. Of course instead of thinking of a good response I just let out a defeated breath and rolled my eyes.
"Fine but I"m not happy about it!" My shoulders slumped as light came to her features.
"Really Keira, anyone would think we were trying to get you to walk over hot coals, dance naked whist killing bunnies!"
"You do realise my cousin is sat over there right?" I said sarcastically making her laugh.
"Which reminds me, why on earth would you do this to me?" I asked her, pleading a cause that was far too late...unless they were willing to kick her out.
"Look, I know you are angry at me about having her here but despite being little "Miss Naughty Demon" this one was not me. This one was an order and one you will have to take up with someone else." Sophia tried not to laugh as my mouth dropped open and I could only imagine what a simpleton I looked.
"What! Draven?" She only nodded at my outburst and I felt my gut twist into a hard ball of rage. Why! Why, why and more whys? I now knew the reasons behind his evil grin earlier. It wasn"t at his sister"s request at all...it was at his. Well this changes things. My night"s frustration was quickly turning to a lethal weapon I was about to let loose in Draven"s direction.
Oh yes, my shift had now finished but my work for the night was definitely not over!
Not by a long shot.
Chapter 48.
Keira Stories.
I turned to Karmun before leaving with Sophia and said one word.
"Drink" The word came out ruder that I had meant it too but instead of being offended Karmun found amus.e.m.e.nt in my order. I guess Draven was rubbing off on me. I had a shot of tequila in front of me before I could blink. Everyone that knew me here, knew my drinking preference and it wasn"t hard to realise which one of the two I needed the most right now. h.e.l.l Karmun even knew I didn"t need the salt or lime. No, I already had a sour taste in my mouth that didn"t needed adding too.
"Come on, let"s get this s.h.i.t over with," I said to Sophia in pa.s.sing. I knew without looking at her the shock that I would have found considering I didn"t usually curse like that. I"m not even sure she had ever heard it from me before now. I could feel her giggling beside me and had no doubt she was loving every minute of this, being a Demon and all.
For once I couldn"t get to Draven"s table quick enough and he watched me with curious eyes. I could see he wasn"t taking my evil glare seriously, if anything he looked more excited by this than worried. By the time I got to my usual chair I was starting to think one shot wasn"t nearly enough. Draven stood and the rest followed, all except Hilary...no surprises there.
"h.e.l.lo beautiful." He said with voice deep and full of meaning. He leaned down to brush his lips to mine and skimmed a finger down my cheek lightly. Of course all my built up rage disbursed at his gentle touch and was being replaced by rose coloured cheeks at now being the focus of everyone"s stares. Two of which looked like they were sharing the same feelings.
No guessing which two.
I sat down, looking the exact opposite of my cousin, which was like having ice and fire in the same room and putting bets on which one will win. I liked to think I was the fire, considering I had Draven"s direct heat next to me. Also Hilary wasn"t trying to conceal her icy glare that was burrowing its way into my forehead. It almost caused me physical pain to try and understand why...why so much hate, why so much energy to go on hating someone for so long. It must have been exhausting for her. For years I had never found my answers but it wasn"t through lack of trying.
And then it hit me! This was why Draven had Sophia invite her. This was the reason behind one evening of discomfort. He wanted to know as much as I did, he just would never admit it. He could read her mind and know, given the right questions, he would discover the truth behind the hate. It was genius really and why I didn"t think about it before, was answered by that genius. It was him not me but still I had come close by figuring it out. Maybe we weren"t so very different at all. Humph. Ok, so now I wasn"t so angry at Draven but I still wasn"t looking forward to this.
I gave myself a mental shake before joining in with whatever conversation was occurring before my arrival. Of course it didn"t go un-noticed that the sound of my cousin"s voice was already grating on me. I could feel his hand squeeze mine in rea.s.surance to the fact.
"I have to say Kizzy Cat, I"m surprised you can even call this a job...you must have too much fun." I could hear the inner meaning to this comment like a wolf howling. I knew her tactics and her mind games better than most so it didn"t surprise me that although her tone sounded friendly it was laced with vindictiveness.
"Well, this was a quiet night for me but I wouldn"t usually have a family member here and I really didn"t want to miss out." I felt like I was going against my screaming head saying this but considering my lying was that bad, I doubted anyone believed the words. She smirked at me and turned to answer a question I couldn"t hear asked from Takeshi.
"You"re going to have to do better at lying than that my love." Draven purred in my ear making my lids close at the scent that floated its way down the side of my face. I heard him laugh quietly to himself and thought it down to being able to hear my heart rate kick up a notch.