Gabriel
My brothers had been brutal about the fact that Audrina remained a double virgin. Brutal. So I took all their money playing high-stakes poker, and I also swindled the three-blonds, a raven-head, the two redheads, and Julian’s hellhound away from him.
I admit, I gloated a bit after that.
“It’s not like you’re going to make use of the girls,” Stefan grumbled. He’d wanted that hellhound. Plus he was very sore about losing so much money.
“Shut it, Stefan, or I’ll sic my hellhound on you. And as for the girls, I’ll do whatever I like with them because they now belong to me.”
He said a few other things, but I only caught the words smug and ass hat.
My winnings, along with catching Audrina spying on me while I was in the shower, had considerably lifted my spirits. I was looking forward to attending the party that evening. I could not touch Audrina, not unless she asked me to. I decided that, for the first time since I’d met her, I would play it cool. I would act like it no longer stung that she’d rejected my claim.
Women couldn’t handle it when you did that.
I smirked at my reflection as I dressed in my favorite dark suit. I chose a deep-violet tie, the color of royalty, and added my favorite platinum cufflinks for flair. I rarely bothered to admire myself, but I had to admit, cleaned up nicely. And Audrina could look, but she could not touch.
Good luck with that.
Feeling quite smug indeed, I sauntered down the hall to find my virgin. “Audrina?”
“I’m r-ready.”
Aw, was she nervous after seeing what I had to offer? Adorable.
But when she emerged from the bedroom, I almost passed out. My Audrina, my virgin, was not dressed adorably. She was dressed to kill. To kill me.
A plunging, micro-mini scarlet cocktail gown barely covered her luscious curves. Sky-high red Louboutin heels accentuated her long legs. Her hair was blown out stick-straight, her makeup flawless, her nails a deep crimson.
How was I supposed to survive the evening?
My cock twitched, straining against my pants. “Where did you get that dress?” I asked hoarsely.
“Bianca bought it for me.” She twisted her hands together nervously. “Do you think it’s appropriate?”
“No.” I narrowed my eyes. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t like it, or that I want you to take it off…yet.”
She raised her eyebrows, and I forced a laugh. “Just kidding, of course.”
“Of course.” Her cheeks burned pink as her gaze flicked up and down my body. “You look handsome.”
“Thank you,” I said smoothly, remembering my pledge to remain indifferent. “I know they’re waiting for us… Shall we?”
She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin, following me down the hall. She was so gorgeous it hurt to look at her. In that red dress, my virgin was vampire crack. Even though Bianca had been the one to choose it and for that I would either thank her or curse her, I still wasn’t sure-Audrina had to know how stunning she looked.
But two could play that game. I remembered the expression on her face when I’d caught her staring at me in the shower. Her eyes had been wide with shock, but I could smell that scent coming from her tight, wet little virgin pussy. She’d seen the beast in all of its glory, and she’d wanted it.
One thing I’d learned in my long existence? All women wanted the beast. It just took some of them longer than others to come around.
My cock throbbed. Patience, I urged myself. I’d bide my time. Which was another reason you should never trust a vampire. We have all the time in the world.
Audrina gaped at the Strip spread out below us. “Oh…wow.” Twilight had turned to darkness, bringing out the true city. It throbbed with possibility, curiosity, and decadence. The lights glittered from the hotels, casinos, and fountains, which looked particularly beautiful at night, lit up with different colors.
She grinned, her face as lit up as the Strip. “It’s incredible!”
“It is pretty.” As far as I was concerned, we could stay there all night. The view of the Strip thrilled her, the view of her ass in that dress thrilled me. But they expected us at the dinner. Iulian had booked one of the hottest restaurants in Vegas, The Iliad, which comprised the entire top floor of one of the other ultra-luxury resorts.
Our SUV was waiting outside. Audrina hesitated before climbing up. “Do you think you can help me up?”
Good thing a jacked-up Escalade was a bitch in high heels. “I thought you’d never ask.” I held her hand and helped her climb into the backseat, then slid in beside her.
The SUV pulled out into traffic, The SUV pulled out into traffic, and Audrina peered out the window. “I still can’t get over all these lights!”
“It’s something, all right.” To me, the blaring lights of Vegas seemed tawdry. I tried to see the Strip as she did, with fresh eyes-and suddenly the garish atmosphere transformed. It became electrified, inspiring, inventive…hopeful. That was the most prevalent energy out here on the street. Hope.
But then again, maybe that was just me.
Audrina didn’t tear her gaze from the window. “Where are we having dinner?”
“The Iliad. It’s Bianca’s favorite. Iulian planned this, especially for her.”
She nodded. “That’s nice.”
“Did you enjoy the spa?”
“Mostly,” she said. “I mean, it was amazing. But they really kind of go for it.”
When she didn’t elaborate, I said, “The dinner should be tame, but I expect the party afterward to be a bit wild. If at any time you feel uncomfortable and wish to leave, just let me know.”
Her throat worked as she swallowed. “W-Wild?”
“Yes.” Our driver was a vampire, part of our security team, so I didn’t hold back. “There will be human guests at the party. They will be…mingling…with the vampires.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Mingling mingling?”
I nodded. “In all how vampires and humans can. As I said, if you want to leave, just give me the word. I am discharging my duty to Julian by simply showing up. Knowing that it might be overwhelming for you, I made no promise to stay.”
She looked at me with her big, brown eyes. “That was nice of you.”
“I know.” I leaned back against the seat so that my chest puffed out further and didn’t say another word.
Audrina gave me a funny look, but I stared straight ahead.
We reached the resort-another enormous, glittering building-and the Escalade smoothly pulled up in front. The driver opened the door for us; I climbed out and waited. It took every ounce of self-control I had to stand still while our driver helped Audrina to the sidewalk. When he touched her, I buried my hiss deep in my chest.
We walked side-by-side through the entrance, not touching. Audrina looked at me once or twice, but I strode with purpose into the opulent lobby.
Several men stopped to stare at Audrina. I clenched my hands into fists but did not respond. Except for the hiss that I continued to bury, which had my chest rumbling…
“Mr. Dalca, we’re so happy to see you.” A pretty attendant with a dazzling smile greeted us. “Your party’s waiting for you upstairs.”
She turned her megawatt smile on Audrina. “And you must be Ms. Hawthorne. It’s a pleasure—I love your dress. You look stunning.”
Audrina’s beautiful face lit up. “Thank you.”
The attendant brought us to yet another glassed-in elevator and sent us to the top of the hotel. Audrina seemed as entranced as ever by the view, and I certainly had no objection to again raking my gaze over her backside, covered by that tiny slip of crimson dress. I’d been so busy staring at her luscious ass before, I hadn’t noticed that most of her back was exposed. Her long, silky hair brushed up against her smooth skin. My cock moved of its own volition so that it was pointing directly at her. Ready, aim, fire.
Fuck.
I was pretty sure that even though I couldn’t die, I was already in hell.
The elevator doors opened to the restaurant and she audibly gasped. Immune to Vegas’s smoke and mirrors, I had to chuckle-whoever had designed the space had outdone themselves.
The Iliad was two stories high, with windows everywhere so as not to waste the incredible view of the Strip. A dramatic, winding staircase commanded the center of the room. Fairy lights twinkled everywhere, uniting outdoors with indoors, giving the room a sense of infinite freedom. Greek statues dotted softly lit corners.
“Mr. Dalca, Ms. Hawthorne, welcome. “The host bowed to us. “Your party awaits.”
He led us outside to the most stunning space yet. Curtained cabanas surrounded an enormous reflecting pool with mesmerizing silver balls floating dreamily inside of it. They reflected the surrounding lights, muting them. The effect was tranquil, almost magical.
“Wow.” Audrina glanced at me, her eyes huge in her face. “This is so beautiful.”
I nodded once. But I longed to reach out and hold her.
She tucked herself next to me as we followed the host. “I told you I was going to freak out over all the sights. I’m sure it seems silly to you.”
“Not silly.” Her excitement made me ache.
She looked up at me. “Is everything all right?”
Before I could answer her, our party spotted us.
“They’re they are!”
“Good evening!”
“Hello, brother!”
“Audrina―your dress!” Bianca shot from the table and wrapped Audrina in a close hug. “Oh my God, you are gorgeous. Isn’t she gorgeous, Gabriel?”
“Of course.”
Bianca-who missed nothing-gave me a sharp look, then turned back to her new BFF. “I knew that dress was meant for you. My intuition never fails me.”
She leaned closer, then asked Audrina in a voice loud enough for me to hear, “How is everything else? Are you still freezing down there?”
Audrina laughed. “In this dress, yes. It’s a little breezy!” She kept giggling until she turned and saw the look on my face, a dark glower.
Then she and Bianca looked at each other again and burst out laughing.
“Come-sit and join us. You will love the food here, it’s delicious.” Bianca draped an arm around Audrina and led her to two seats at the end of the table.
The bridesmaids were chattering, my brothers were boasting, and Sir and Madam Ives were enjoying their cocktails. An air of excitement hovered over our party, a charge of anticipation for the revelry ahead.
A server silently appeared at our side with two menus. “Sir. Madam.” He bowed. “May I offer you our signature cocktail this evening? It’s Pink Grapefruit Vodka, Blood Orange Liqueur, white cranberry and lime.”
“Sounds perfect. We’ll each have one.”
Audrina leaned closer, smiling, as the server went to fetch our drinks. “It does sound perfect-pink for me, blood orange for you.”
“Yes. I hadn’t thought of it that way.” But of course, Nigel had told me how Audrina had loved her Strawberry Refresher, a ridiculously pink drink. It was a detail I wasn’t likely to forget, eager to please her as I was.
I pretended to ignore her and studied the menu.
“You’re quiet tonight.”
I shrugged, feigning indifference.
“Is everything all right?”
I caught a whiff of her scent, which had a hint of nerves. “Of course, Audrina.”
“O-Okay.” She studied her menu, her smile turning to a look of distress. “Oh boy. I don’t know what I’m going to order.”
Her brow furrowed. “Spider crab? Duck ragout?” She kept reading. “What the heck is a Big Eye Red Sea Bream or a live langoustine?”
“Nothing appeals to you?”
She bit her lip. “It’s not that I just don’t know what anything is. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“Audrina.” I leaned closer despite myself. “You could never embarrass me. If it makes you more comfortable, I will order you something you will enjoy.”
She looked relieved. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She didn’t know what a pleasure it truly was-it was my ultimate desire to take care of her, to cherish her, to attend to every detail. But I put my game face on-stoic, disinterested-as I sent out a quick text.
When our drinks arrived, I raised mine in a toast. “To Bianca and Julian.” “To Bianca and Julian.”
Audrina tentatively clinked her martini glass against mine.
But she frowned as she had a sip. Her gaze searched mine.
I was pretty sure my plan was working.