Zane’s hands planted on the glass case next to my head, trapping me between him and the display. The scent of leather and cigarettes swam over me, and I looked into his smiling face. He really did have the most sensual mouth.
“Leave me alone,” I said, my voice sounding weak.
“Poor Princess,” Zane said slowly, leaning in closer. “Wants a taste of the big bad vampire, but she’s too embarrassed to admit her own feelings.” He tsked, his nose almost touching mine now. “Lucky for you, the vampire has no problem with admitting that he’d like a taste of the princess.”
With that, he leaned in and kissed me.
I don’t know what I was expecting; something hard and rough, with a lot of teeth. But Zane’s soft lips touched mine gently, teasing, coaxing mine to open and allow him in. His tongue lightly danced along my lips and I opened up to him, closing my eyes and giving in to the forbidden taste.
His mouth was sweet, with a hint of copper and smoke to his lips. He expertly teased a response out of me, his hands sliding to my shoulders, then to my hair, pulling me against him in a tender embrace that took me completely by surprise. The Itch awoke inside me, flaring heat through my limbs, and I clutched at his jacket, pinning him against me.
This is wrong, I thought, even as I gently sucked his tongue. Even as I gasped when he licked my lower lip and pressed gentle kisses against my jawline. His hands were respectful, remaining on my head and cupping me against him like a fragile creature.
He moved lower, licking gently at my throat, his teeth nipping against my skin. God, it felt good. I wanted him to lick harder, to press those sinful lips against my pulse. To sink his teeth into my flesh and give me the same orgasm he’d given Julianna-
Reality hit me with force. I was making out with a vampire. My enemy. Noah’s captor.
Ashamed, I squirmed out of his embrace. “Stop it,” I said. “Don’t touch me.”
Zane didn’t seem offended by my reaction. He only looked at me with those hooded eyes, and a lazy grin spread over his mouth, sending my pulse skyrocketing. “For someone who professes to hate vampires, you sure do like kissing them.”
“You’re a pig,” I called back, storming away to hide the shiver of attraction I felt. “Find your own way home. You’re not coming with me.”
“Don’t you want your purse?” he said behind me, his amusement obvious. “You left it and your notebook here.”
Blast. I swore under my breath and stalked back to him, snatching them from his hands. “Do me a favor and leave me alone.”
His hand clasped around my wrist, stopping me. “Don’t be like that, Princess. I’m sorry I kissed you.”
I’m not, I thought, and hated myself for it. “Don’t touch me again,” I said, wrestling my hand out of his grip. “We’re not going to be able to work together if you don’t follow the most simple rules. I told you not to eat my boss, and you didn’t listen to me, and now you’ve cost me my job. How am I supposed to trust you on this treasure hunt if you won’t behave for five minutes? Just go back to the queen and leave me to handle this-it’s my life we’re screwing around with, after all.”
As I turned away, strong hands gripped my shoulders and forced me to turn around. I looked up at him breathlessly, part of me hoping that he’d give me another one of those soft kisses and part of me disgusted that I’d even look forward to it.
His expression was sober, though, and he clasped my hand in his own and brought it to his lips. “Jackie,” he murmured against the flesh of my palm, and a shiver went down my spine despite myself. “You know I would never do anything to hurt you.”
I was having a hard time concentrating all of a sudden. His lips danced across my skin, and my nerves shuddered with delight. I pictured those lips moving across my throat like they had on Julianna. I pictured them skimming across my breasts, teasing the tips with his sensual lips that I wanted to bite.
“You wouldn’t hurt me? You just did.” I had to force the words out and stared pointedly at Julianna, sprawled across the museum floor.
He shook his head and the stubble on his chin scraped against my hand. “Why do you distrust me so much, Jackie? Why is it you trust me so little and trust Noah so much?”
“Gee, I don’t know,” I said. “Could it be the fact that one of your kind attacked me in a bar and sent me down the path that I’m on right now?”
“I see.” His voice sounded sad, so unlike the urbane, devil-may-care Zane I knew. “Perhaps someday you will learn to trust me.”
I walked away.
Remy was waiting in the driveway as we pulled up to her mansion a short time later. Suitcases littered the sidewalk, and she had her cell phone clutched to her ear. “Oh good,” she called as I pulled into the driveway. “I was just about to go looking for you. We need to hurry or we’re not going to catch the next flight.”
I’d barely put the car in park before she swung open the rear hatch and tossed a suitcase inside.
“Right now?” I sputtered. “We have to go right now? But I haven’t even packed …” I trailed off, feeling unsettled. If we left now, it meant this whole crazy thing was green-lighted. I really was going after a halo like some sort of oversexed Indiana Jones. I mean, of course I knew this was going to happen. But right now?
Right now?
The thought scared me shitless. I jerked the keys out of the ignition and bolted out of the car.
“Hey,” Remy called after me. “Where are you going? We need to leave if we want to make our flight.”
“Be right back. Bathroom break,” I called as I dashed inside and ran up to my room. I slammed the door behind me and leaned on it, my heart hammering. Somewhere out there was a halo with my name on it, and a thousand pissed-off vampires were searching for it, too. I grabbed a tote bag and stuffed a few items in it.
My bedroom door opened and I looked over.
Zane.
“Don’t you knock?” I shot him an irritated look and forced the zipper shut on my bag. There were a few things left in my life that I didn’t want him sticking his nose into.
“You seem a bit flustered,” he observed. “Something bothering you?”
“You mean other than the fact we’re on a witch hunt for a halo that the queen of all vampires wants, and if she gets it, we’re screwed? But if she doesn’t, Noah’s screwed and me, too, because he’s the only guy I’m screwing?” I gave a sharp, bitter laugh.
Zane slid over to me. “Is that what you’re worried about? ’Cause I’ve got all the same parts as your angel, babe, and I certainly don’t mind helping the needy-”
I covered his mouth before he could finish. “Such a hero. Pardon me if I pass.”
He pulled away from my hand. “The offer stands for as long as you like.” I could hear the laughter in his voice. “Vampires are known for their … endurance.”
I snorted, trying to deny the mental picture that made my knees weak. “Forget it,” I said. “You wouldn’t understand what I mean. I’m not looking for stud service.” Though he definitely fit the status of “stud.”
“Suit yourself, but you’ll come around … in about twenty-four hours, unless I miss my guess.”
Asshole. I stomped back down to the car, tote bag tucked under my arm. But as soon as I hit the driveway, another disturbing sight made me pause.
Beside Remy stood a really cute unfamiliar guy, loading her bags into the back of the car. He looked like a surfer-tan, muscular, bleached blond hair. He also looked like a college kid. I’d never seen him before.
I tossed my tote into the car and strode around to the back. “Uh, Remy? Can I talk to you for a minute?”