Sleight of Hand

“Lissie, darling, this has gone on long enough.”

“Get out of my way, Stryker. I’m not your darling, and you’ve had your say. I have a deposit to make, and then I need to get home. I have a houseguest.” She smirked. “Anyway, why are you still here? I saw your little moment with Cherry earlier. I’m sure she’s overjoyed.”

The hurt anger in her eyes was irresistible and drew his fingers to touch the warm flesh of her cheek. She jerked away, and he shook his head slowly. “Don’t think you can hold yourself away from me, Lissette.” His eyes glittered with their otherworldly magic.

“Don’t you pull out your vampire mojo! I told you we’re over.” Her back was to the bar. The scent of his skin wafted into her face. She adored the way he smelled—that combination of man, his cologne, and soap. It was extremely difficult not to fall under his spell.

“We are not over, Lissie. You and I have had a misunderstanding, but we will work it out. And you know there is nothing between Cherry and me. There hasn’t been since the first moment I laid eyes on you. And it may amuse you to know she claims that you have grown on her. She even gave me a lecture for upsetting you.”

Closing her eyes a moment against his appeal, she stomped her boot in frustration. “Why are you doing this? Damn it, Stryker! Get out of here. You are no longer welcome in my bar or my life.”

He pressed his body against hers more fully, putting his face in her hair a moment, feeling that silk against his cheek before he pulled back and looked into her eyes. Lips just barely shy of hers, he murmured, “Don’t be stupid, Lissie. You’re angry and hurt. I get that, and I’m sorry. I should have asked you myself. But that doesn’t mean we’re over.”

“You can come over and visit Alex when I’m here at the bar. I’ll work with Henry to make sure he gets in school and is taken care of during the day. Don’t come in here again, Stryker, or I’ll ban your entire tribe.”

Worry that he couldn’t get her back slid through him. Not something he cared for at all. He had to pull out his big guns. Moving back from her a bit, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin and twirled it between his fingers. Wearing a predator’s grin, he asked casually, “Do you remember the first time we were together?”

She closed her eyes, and he watched a shiver work through her. The tension holding his stomach loosened a bit. He still affected her. All wasn’t lost.

“What about it?” she whispered. The memories of that night swept through her. His hands on her, his lips, and the way she’d felt as his teeth had slid over the tender flesh at the place where thigh met leg. He’d filled her up. Body and soul. From that moment, she’d felt as if her body was made for his, and he’d held her heart. She was a damned fool, but oh, how she loved him.