Touch of Evil Read online

  “Eve, stop.” Ash tried to pull away, to avoid her searching mouth, to capture her eager hands as they wandered over his shoulders and chest. “Eve…” With effort, he took advantage of his considerable strength—both of will and muscle—and pushed her off of him.

  “What’s wrong?” Her voice was thick, her breathing raspy. It took several seconds for him to feel in control enough to risk looking at her. And when he did, he nearly came undone. Her hair was disheveled, her skin flushed and her lips bruised. She looked sexy as hell.

  “We … can’t,” he managed. He looked away, deciding it would be easier to win the battle with his hormones if he didn’t look at her. Unfortunately, he hadn’t accounted for the way her scent assailed his senses, driving him crazy.

  Eve watched him through hooded eyes as he rolled down his window and took a deep breath of cool, night air. She struggled to fight off the sensual haze clouding her brain. For whatever reason, Ash had stopped their car interlude and she wasn’t the type to beg. No matter how badly she wanted him.

  “Are you all right?” She was amazed at how calm her voice sounded, when her insides were raging with need.

  “I’m fine,” Ash answered, sounding tense. His hands were clenched around the steering wheel, twisting and twisting like he wanted to rip it off. “I’m sorry … there’s just … I can’t … it’s not that I don’t want you,”

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Eve replied, her tone dry. “I’d hate to think you were faking that hard-on.” He smiled, the action releasing some of the tension that had coiled in her chest.

  “It’s just complicated, and I really don’t think we should do this right now,”

  “All right,”

  “You’re being awful agreeable,” Ash said, sounding a little awed.

  Eve smiled, then sat up and started to right her clothing. When she was done, she looked back at him, her expression unreadable. “I guess you can say I’m feeling generous.” She picked up her purse from where it had fallen on the floor, and slid out of the car. “Just know, I might not be the next time,” she said with a grin before slamming the car door shut.

  Ash watched her, surprise and arousal shooting through him, as she sashayed inside. When she got to the door, she tossed him a look over her shoulder, and gave a coy finger wave before disappearing inside.

  He stared at the door for a few minutes, talking himself out of following her upstairs. Once he put a tight clamp on his hormones, he slammed the car in gear and pulled away from the curb. He turned back towards Cyrus’ house, calling himself every kind of fool for not going up after her.

  Chapter Six

  Eve was late and she just knew that Cyrus was going to give her that look. How she knew after barely two days of knowing the man which look he was going to give her was a mystery. But she would have laid money on it. It would be the perfect ending to a day that had already earned the description of the crappiest ever.

  Starting with the broken heel on her favorite pair of shoes and ending barely half an hour ago with the kid at table six that shouldn’t have had that double hot fudge sundae—a point made evident when the kid puked all over her as she came back to give his parents their check. Now she had to go home and take a shower first instead of going straight to Cyrus’ like she had intended. And that put her way behind. She’d told the cab to wait for her, cursing the small fortune she’d have to pay to get to the Professor’s house on time. Not to mention the extra tip she would have to give for stinking up his cab. Life sucked. And if this day was any indication of how things were going to go with tonight’s rescue attempt, they ought to all be dead by midnight.

  Just fucking peachy, she thought, shoving her still damp body into a pair of jeans while trying to get a T-shirt over her head at the same time. With the fly open, she slid her feet into a pair of mule sandals then headed back to the bathroom. Her hair dryer, makeup bag, hairspray and brush all got thrown without care into a canvas bag. She stumbled as she walked back into the bedroom. Twisting her ankle, she sent out a stream of curses that would have made a sailor blush. Cyrus had told her to be ready when she got there. Well, that was just too damn bad. He’d get over it.

  “I don’t have time for this,” she spat when she heard the knock on her front door.

  She’d had a shitty day, she was tired and she had to get herself dressed up and go make small talk at a party while her sister was snatched right from under Sebastian’s nose. The thought of pulling one over on the vampire perked her up a bit as she yanked open the door.

  “Hi. What are you doing here?” she asked Ash, who leaned casually against the door frame.

  “Cyrus thought you might need a ride,” Ash managed around the knee jerk reaction he had at the sight of her. She looked extremely flustered, to put it mildly. Her hair was a mass of dark, wet strings around her unpainted face. Her jeans were still undone, which allowed him to see a hint of her red panties since her T-shirt was twisted around her waist. A huge smile of relief bloomed across her wide mouth, stealing his unneeded breath.

  “That old man is starting to grow on me.”

  Actually, Ash had been the one to suggest he go get her, but he didn’t think she needed to know that. “Oh! I have a cab downstairs.”

  She started to bolt past him, but Ash reached out and clasped her hand to stop her. “I took care of it.”

  “Oh, thanks. How much do I owe you?” She grimaced in preparation for what she was sure was an astronomical amount.

  “Don’t worry about it.” A little fang, a flash of red in the eyes, and that cabby was more than happy to forget about the fare.

  “Oh,” she said, blinking her huge, emerald eyes. “Thanks. Again.” Another smile and Ash decided he would have to find a way make her smile a lot. “Come on in. I’m just running around like a chicken with my head cut off.”

  “You, ah, might want to zip up your pants,” he told her after walking inside and closing the door.

  Eve looked down, her cheeks burning crimson at the sight of her open fly, and fixed the problem. “Er, uh. Yeah. Thanks. I’ll, uhm, just be a minute.” A quick escape had been her plan so that she could recover at least slightly from her mortification. Apparently, Ash had other ideas.

  A small squeal of surprise escaped her throat when his hand snaked around her waist and pulled her against him. Her hand pressed flat against his chest to steady herself, and she couldn’t help but appreciate the rock hard muscle shifting under her fingers. The memory of the night before in the car rose up between them, making her pulse skitter beneath his fingers.

  A smile tugged at his lips and his eyes burned into hers. “I believe that turnabout is fair play.”

  His voice was husky and thick and it sent a shiver racing over her skin. Without warning, his mouth slanted hungrily over hers, his cool, soft lips teasing hers into play. A surge of heat expanded from her center and out through her blood, making her pleasantly dizzy. Her fingers fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer as she opened her lips to him. He took the invitation, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth to taste. She moaned low in her throat, the sound making him cling all that much tighter to her. They were both gasping for breath when they pulled back. Ash rested his forehead against hers and breathed in deeply of her clean scent, wanting nothing more than to sweep her up in his arms and take her to bed.

  “I, uh, guess we’re even,” she said with a short, breathless laugh.

  He chuckled and lifted his head to look into her eyes. “I guess so.” He ran his thumb lightly over her cheek to her bottom lip. “After this is all over and your sisters safe, you and I are going to talk.”

  “Talk?” An auburn brow shot up and a wry smile curved her lip under his thumb. “Is that what we’re doing?”

  “I’m serious.”

  Eve’s smile turned into a frown of confusion as she saw that, yes, he was. “Okay.”

  “Go on. Get the rest of your stuff. Cyrus is probably freaking out about now.”

  “I’ll be right back
.” She gave him one last, measuring look, then turned to hurry into her room.

  Ash took the time to wander around the small living room. The couch and armchair were overstuffed and comfortable looking. The color was beige, but the throw pillows and blanket draped across the back were bright squares of orange, teal and black. A TV sat on top of a short bookshelf that was stuffed with movies and books. He slid a finger over the back of one paperback and grinned. Seemed the women in the house were partial to historical romances set in the old west. And Mel Brooks movies.

  He raised an eyebrow when he saw the copy of Blazing Saddles resting casually next to a book with a scantily clad woman clinging onto a well muscled Native American man on the cover.

  Chuckling to himself, he turned away from the bookshelf and wandered towards the small kitchen on the opposite side. A cursory glance told him that it was just a kitchen, and he turned to peer down the short hall to the closed door that Eve went through. A picture in a huge silver frame caught his attention and he moved over to inspect it. He immediately recognized Eve. Her hair was longer and her face a little fuller, but there was no mistaking those green eyes or that oh-so-kissable mouth. He also recognized Brie, even though she was much younger in this photo than the one Mark had shown them. He could only assume that the handsome auburn-haired man and the petite blonde were the girls’ father and Eve’s mother. They stood in front of a brightly decorated Christmas tree, wide smiles on three of the faces, an uncertain one on Brie’s.

  “That was right before the car accident.”

  Ash glanced over at Eve, who was standing in the door to her room, two canvas bags slung over her shoulder and a garment back in her right hand. There was a sadness in her face that tugged at his heart, spurring him to reach out to her.

  She smiled when he slid his fingers over face, her eyes shining with tears. “I was still getting used to Brie. Actually, I was still in the process of hating her for stealing my dad.” She sighed, embarrassed for admitting it out loud, but feeling a bit lighter for it. “Just petty jealousy. I knew it wasn’t her fault. But I resented her anyway, you know?”

  He nodded, touched that she would share this with him.

  “But then they died and she became my world. Funny how life works, huh?”

  “Yeah,” he agreed, dropping his hand. He thought of his brothers. Young, strapping men that died violent, horrible deaths. “You’re lucky to have each other.”

  “Yeah.” Eve took a last look at the picture and then pushed away the wishes for what could have been. “Ready?” She looked at Ash and smiled, straightening her shoulders.

  “After you.” They left the apartment, pausing long enough for Eve to lock the door. At the curb where Ash had parked, he took her bags from her and they climbed into his car, thoughts of the past plaguing them both.

  * * * *

  “Jesus Christ, woman! Why do you watch that shit? Isn’t it enough that you live that life? No, you’ve got to watch it on TV. And you know damn well that good and evil ain’t got nothing to do with no soul!”

  “Shut it, Cy. That pretty, blonde vampire is on.”

  “Jesus Christ!”

  “Are they always like that?” Eve asked Ash, staring at Cyrus’ front door. The door was still closed, but they could hear each disgusted syllable of Cy’s as clearly as if they were inside with them.

  “Pretty much.” Ash flashed a grin that set her pulse to racing, and swung open the door.

  “’Bout damn time,” Cyrus grumbled as they stepped over the threshold. “And why aren’t you dressed?”

  “Hello to you, too, Mr. Tanner.” Eve tucked her tongue into her cheek to keep from smiling.

  “Shut up, Cyrus! Can’t you see I’m trying to watch my story?”

  The old man shot Flora a hot glare, which she didn’t see, since she refused to turn away from the television. “Flora, you’re almost sixty-four years old. It’s obscene the way you drool over that damn man every week.”

  “I’m old. Not dead.”

  Eve tried to stifle a giggle at Flora’s response, but she wasn’t quick enough. Cy shot her a glare that would have sent many to running. She arched a brow and gave him a demure smile.

  “Oh, I dunno, Cy. That Slayer’s pretty hot.”

  The smile slipped off Eve’s face and she turned her surprised gaze on Ash. His crystal eyes twinkled as he returned her stare and she could tell he was trying not to laugh. She sniffed delicately and looked away, her eyes going to Mark when he added his two cents.

  “Nah, I always preferred the redheaded witch myself,” he offered, grinning, but never looking up from the gun he loaded.

  “Men,” Eve huffed under her breath, rolling her eyes. She jumped when she felt Ash behind her, his body brushing against hers, his breath cool on her neck.

  “Jealous?” The teasing hint in his voice had her blood boiling and her temper spiking.

  She managed to rein it in and turned to smile sweetly at him. “You wish.” With a toss of her hair, she disappeared down the hall.

  The vampire watched her until she closed the bathroom door, then turned back to look at Mark when he snorted. “What?”

  Mark gave him a knowing look, which made Ash grin wider. “Think I’ll go change, too.”

  “Hurry the hell up. We’re already cutting it close,” Cy snapped, his words punctuated by the click of the bullet cartridge sliding into place. He didn’t get an answer as Ash made his way down the hall to Mark’s bedroom. He wasn’t expecting one.

  A moment or two later, the sound of the TV was abruptly cut off and Flora threw the remote with a soft thud onto the couch. She heaved a sigh and stood, looking around as she stretched. “Where’d Ash and Eve go?”

  Cyrus grunted in disgust and Mark laughed outright, shaking his head. She stared at them for a second, waiting for an answer. When she didn’t get one, her mouth pursed in annoyance and she stormed into the kitchen, asking herself the whole way, “Why do I put up with this shit?”

  * * * *

  A glance at the clock told Brie she only had a few minutes to finish getting ready. Sebastian would be sending for her soon to make her appearance out in the club. With a steady hand, she finished applying her eyeliner, then leaned back to appraise her reflection. She could have three or four assistants in with her now, fussing over her hair, nails, makeup and clothes, but Brie had left any love she might have had for that sort of attention back home on the island of her birth. She was much happier taking care of herself, especially since this was the only time Sebastian allowed her solitude. She wouldn’t allow that to be invaded by anyone.

  With a nod of approval, Brie tossed the kohl pencil back onto the dresser and picked up a bottle of perfume. She spritzed some on her throat, behind her ears, knees and elbows, breathing in the sweet scent of magnolias. She was a little surprised that she was actually excited about this party tonight. Even though it was for her, she knew that it would be full of people that Sebastian wanted to impress and future victims of his greed. But she also knew that Eve would be there. That made the thought of being paraded about like a prized colt a little more palpable.

  There was also another, restless feeling that Brie had woken up with this morning. It was anticipatory, like her subconscious telling her something big was going to happen. She didn’t know why, or if it was even possible, but she had an instinct that after tonight, nothing would ever be the same.

  The opening and closing of the dressing room door had her turning to see who disturbed her alone time. Her smile turned to a scowl when she saw who’d entered.

  Edward.

  She never hid her distaste for him, the way that she did Sebastian. He was just a hired hand, a lackey in her opinion, who could switch sides quickly if a lucrative offer were made. She knew that no trust was shared between the vampire and the werewolf. One was the employer, the other the employee and that was as far as it went. Edward’s loyalty to Sebastian only went as far as the number of zeros on his paycheck.

  “I’
m sorry, but I didn’t hear you knock,” she told him pointedly, her stare cold as it met his.

  Not bothering to apologize, Edward shrugged a thin shoulder and came to a stop behind her. “It’s almost time,” he told her, his thick, gravelly voice reminding Brie of wet concrete.

  “Thank you,” she replied, her words clipped. She looked back at her reflection, effectively dismissing him.

  At least, Brianne thought she had. She could feel his eyes roving over her body and had to repress a shiver of disgust. Did Sebastian know his highly paid guard dog coveted his most prized possession? If she didn’t hate them both, she might have gotten a kick out of telling him. “Was there something else?”

  “You know, I could help you get out of here.”

  Surprised, she raised her gaze to meet his. She could see the barely suppressed desire in them and had to repress a second shiver. She had no doubt what her re-payment for his help would entail.

  “What makes you think I want—or need—your help?” Brie picked up a silver-backed brush and ran it briskly through her hair.

  All but laughing out loud at her prim reply, Edward reached out a hand to run it over the smooth flesh of her arm. He watched the shimmer of red in her hair as she brushed, the highlights dancing in the light. “Ah, come on, Brie. We both know you don’t want to be here. One word, and I could have you out of here. Right now, if you wanted.”

  She felt as though her skin crawled where he touched her, and she made a pointed effort to move away. She turned around to face him, her expression that of disdain. “Why, exactly, would I run away with you, Edward?”

  The coolness of her tone and the near mocking smile on her mouth had his hands curling into fists and dark rage burned in his chest.

  She felt a momentary flash of fear, but only raised her chin in defiance.

  “You need to be careful, Brianne. Pissing me off isn’t a good idea.”

  Snorting with a confidence that she didn’t feel, Brie tossed her hair over her shoulder and tilted her head to the side. Her eyes narrowed. “You forget, Edward, just what I am. You, unlike Sebastian, are not immune to me. Remember that.”