“Thanks, Tristan. I know it may not seem like it to you, but I’m a relatively strong person in spite of the fact that my life has turned into a living hell, and I have no control over what’s happening.” She spoke into his chest, pulling herself closer to him.
Samantha knew Luca had come here to feed, but couldn’t believe it when she saw him with Kat. They clearly were well acquainted with each other, and she knew damn well that vampires often had sex when they ate. She suspected more than feeding was going on tonight in ‘those rooms’. She couldn’t believe that after what they’d shared this morning, kissing and touching each other in such an intimate way, he’d take another woman to bed as if it was nothing. But then again, she didn’t really know Luca or any of the supernaturals that well. She was attracted to Luca, lusted after him, but all those feelings did not amount to a hill of beans when it came to men. Conflicted, she silently sighed. Even though they hadn’t known each other very long, Luca seemed honorable. He certainly didn’t seem like the kind of man that would touch a woman’s breasts and kiss her and then fuck a different woman less than six hours later.
Sensing her tumultuous thoughts, Tristan rubbed his hands over the top of her head and then slowly moved them down her back, sending out waves of calming reassurance into her skin. Given the temperamental nature of wolves, Tristan was well-trained in using his powers to both excite and pacify supernaturals and humans alike. He could feel her muscles relax as they began to slow dance on the floor. She held onto him tightly as if she needed security, a lifeline to hold onto.
“Tristan, I’m okay, really. Thanks. You…you’re a really good Alpha.” She giggled and looked up at him. “I can’t believe I just said that. Okay, I admit that I really don’t know what an Alpha does and you’re the only Alpha I know, but you’re a good person. I would really like it if we could be friends when I come back.” She honestly had never met someone as grounded and down to earth as Tristan before; he was a caring leader.
“That sounds like a fine plan. Tell you what…I’ll teach you all about wolves when you get back…everything you want to know, baby,” he flirted and spun her around quickly as the music changed into a sultry R&B song.
Samantha laughed out loud and threw her head back and then rested her forehead against his chest. “I just bet you would, Tristan.” He was incredibly handsome and charming and seemed to know all the right words to make everything seem all right.
A stranger’s hand on her shoulder and a loud growl jolted her back to reality.
Tristan’s face hardened as he pulled her tighter against him.
“Stand down, Luca, my friend. Remember where you are,” Tristan said calmly with an even-toned voice.
She looked up to see Luca, his eyes a fiery red. What was wrong with him?
“Did you eat yet, Samantha? We don’t have much time before we have to leave for the airport,” Luca asked, irritated that she’d found comfort so easily in another man’s arms.
She reluctantly pulled away from Tristan, yet still kept one hand on his forearm. “No, I haven’t eaten.” She spoke in a businesslike manner as if she’d just met him.
Tristan looped his arm through hers and began walking them towards the bar. “Ah, see here, Samantha. Dinner is ready now. I wasn’t sure what you liked, but I figured most girls like a steak dinner, salad. And who can say no to chocolate cake?” He pointed to a place setting at the bar.
“Thanks, Tristan. It looks delicious. I’m starving.” She kissed Tristan on the cheek and sat down, but not before shooting Luca an icy look that could have frozen water on a hot summer day.
“Luca, over here,” Tristan commanded, pointing to the end of the bar.
As they both sat down, Tristan glared at Luca. “What in the fuck is wrong with you? Don’t you get that she’s been traumatized? I know you don’t care for humans, but you’ve got to give this witch a break. I thought you’d be in a better mood after being with Kat.”
“I like a particular human a little too much these days. That’s the problem,” he mumbled. He caught a glimpse of Samantha, who was voraciously eating her steak and totally ignoring him. Then he looked over at Tristan, who was smiling like the cat who ate the mouse.
“I see,” he laughed. “Luca, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it.”
Luca shook his head silently.
The look on Luca’s face made Tristan laugh even harder. “Oh my God. Wait…wait until Kade finds out!” He extended his hand and put it on Luca’s shoulder. “You’re jealous. And you know what that means, my friend? Oh yeah, that’s right my man, you’re developing feelings. That icy excuse for a heart beating in your chest is starting to melt.”
“No, no, no,” Luca protested.
“Yes, yes, yes. Let the Alpha guess what happened. Hmmm. Let’s see. You went upstairs with my lovely sister expecting to get your rocks off and your fang on, and you couldn’t do it. Luca Macquarie cannot fuck and feed, because he’s falling for a little red-headed witch. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Luca shoved his hand away, disgusted by the truth of the situation. “Fuck you, Tris.” He gave him a small smile. “Okay, so maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m in deep and not sure what to do. It’s not like I have experience with this…with relationships. Hell, most of my relationships consist of ‘hey, do you want to have sex? You wanna bite? Okay, done and done’. Now I’m turned on my head. I don’t even know what to say, to do. And she’s pissed at me. I’ve been around long enough to know when a woman’s jealous. I am so fucked.”
“Perhaps you are. For a while, anyway.” Tristan grinned broadly. “Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out, Luca. You’re an honorable, decent man. Always have been, always will be. But I can’t say I envy you your plane ride back to New Orleans with Kat and Samantha. That’s gonna give a new definition to turbulence.”
Luca shook his head again, looked at Samantha, and then to Tristan. “Yes, I’ll have my hands full on the way back. So, how about you give us a ride to the airport once she’s done eating? I’m ready to face this head on. What other choice do I have?” He shrugged.
“Not much. It’ll work out, mon ami. I’ll call the driver and ask him to get the limo ready,” Tristan said.
“Hey Tris.”
“Yeah,” Tristan answered, standing up, wanting to go check on Kat.
“Thanks buddy. Sorry about going all vamp on the dance floor. I’m out of sorts. And I appreciate the chat. Besides Kade, you’ve always been there for me. I’ll never forget it,” Luca said.
“Back at ya. Now, let me go round up my favorite sister. I wanna make sure all of your women are accounted for so you can have a good time for the next few hours.” Tristan laughed and punched Luca’s arm.
Yeah, it’s going to be a laugh riot, Luca thought to himself. As he looked back at Samantha, she glared at him then quickly looked away. He could see the hurt and passion in her eyes and was determined more than ever to go to her. But as he started over to explain things to her, Tristan walked in with Kat.
All four of them looked at each other, and Samantha rolled her eyes, shoving a piece of chocolate cake into her mouth. It was going to be a damn fine flight home to New Orleans, indeed, Luca brooded.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Flying in luxury was not all it was cracked up to be, Samantha thought, as she stared out the small porthole window. The plane was beautifully decorated, with plush tan leather seats, mahogany tray tops and undertones. In her life, she’d never known such decadence; she was used to being crammed like a sardine into a coach. But she knew that it wasn’t the plane that was the problem.