Chapter 15
Kaleb stood by the bar, his back to the club ravers. Nine Inch Nails blared through the speakers, the heavy music fueling his dark mood. The night sure as shit hadn’t turned out how he had envisioned. He had wanted to let off steam, get away from the MC, let loose, party with some women.
Jesus! What the hell was wrong with him?
Grayson had no troubles at all getting busy. They had arrived at the club a few hours earlier. His VP spent little time finding a woman for each of them, not that Kaleb needed help. But Grayson knew Kaleb all too well, and the fact that a little brunette had him all tangled up inside. He couldn’t think straight with his dick pointing in one direction. The problem wasn’t that Grayson couldn’t find a passel of gorgeous women. Hell no—the two that Grayson had brought around were model material. But after about five minutes, Kaleb found himself uninterested and unmoved in the nether regions.
What was Suzi? Some sort of witch?
She certainly had cast a spell on him, no doubt about it. Kaleb had one of two choices, just as he had all those years ago after the first time he had fucked her. He knew then if he didn’t forget about her, act as if the night they shared had not happened, then he’d fall … and fall hard. Something about her tripped his every trigger. Kaleb knew what Kane must certainly feel for Cara, because he imagined it being the same for him if he ever allowed himself to care for Suzi. The way he looked at it, he had one of two choices. He either gave in, fucked her, and no doubt ruin his desire for any other woman. Or turn her loose and attempt to fuck her memory away between the thighs of any other willing woman.
Kaleb couldn’t keep feeding from her and keep his head about him.
It was that simple. Kaleb knew what he had to do. He wasn’t about to wind up like Kane. Not that Cara was that bad, if he were truly being honest. She worked well with his twin, complimented him even. She was his perfect other half. But he’d be damned if he ever told her that. He’d rather let her think he hated the ground she walked on, though at one point he certainly did. But times had changed and Kaleb was starting to warm up to her brassiness. After all, she was his brother’s mate and he could respect that. Kane deserved happiness, especially considering all he had gone through with Rosalee and losing Ion. One day he’d kill that bitch. He knew Kane wanted the honors. Nevertheless, his brother had too much to lose, now that he had the love of a good woman … and though he hated to admit as much, Cara was. He, on the other hand, had nothing to lose.
Kaleb tipped back his drink, draining the contents. Just as he set the glass back on the bar’s surface, Draven exited the storage room, skirted his bartender, and headed for Kaleb. He took off his top hat and set it on the bar.
“You need another drink?” Without waiting for an answer, he waved the bartender down, who quickly handed Kaleb another tumbler of Gentleman Jack. “You look like you could use it. Why aren’t you using the office upstairs instead of Gypsy?”
Kaleb’s gaze traveled to the curtained doorway that hid the stairwell. “I wasn’t in the mood.”
Draven toyed with the brim of his hat. “You weren’t in the mood,” he repeated, then looked up. “Since when? That damn office has been a revolving door between you and Kane for years. Now that Kane no longer needs it, seems Gypsy’s making himself at home up there.”
Kaleb chuckled. “I hope we aren’t cramping your style. You ever get to use your own office?”
The barkeep laughed with him. “When is it ever free to use? You guys seem like a permanent fixture. But no, it’s not a problem.”
Kaleb grinned. “Sorry, man. Didn’t mean to be a cock block.”
“Not at all. I have another office back in the storeroom.”
“Seriously?”
Draven shrugged. “Once Kane started using my office for his personal fuck space, I knew I needed my own place to … relax. So, I built another office off the backroom. That’s where I take my ladies.”
“Anyone special?” Kaleb couldn’t remember a time he had seen Draven with anyone.
“Oh, hell no. Variety’s my thing.”
Kaleb looked down at his glass and swirled the amber liquid. “Yeah. I used to think that myself.”
“What the hell happened to you, man?”
Scratching his nape, Kaleb winced. “I’m afraid it’s a little brunette I need to distance myself from.”
“Suzi Stevens?”
“You know her?” Kaleb’s heated gaze went to the barkeep. “How well?”
Draven laughed, holding up his hands. “Down, fang boy. I know all of the donors. But she is a cute little thing.”
His grip tightened on the glass, not acknowledging how incredibly hot he really thought she was. But since Draven brought her up, he’d bet the barkeep already knew his feelings on the matter. Not much seemed to slip by Draven.
“I take it you aren’t too happy about having a hard-on for her. She’s got you acting all out of character. I think you got more than your dick involved with this one.”
“No feelings involved, man,” Kaleb said, knowing full-well it was a lie.
He was in way too deep. He should be the one upstairs right now, relieving some tension. Instead, he stood here with the long-haired, brown-eyed barkeep who wore round, blue-tinted sunglasses perched on his nose and a soul-patch just beneath his lower lip, playing Dracula for heaven’s sake. Tonight, he must have decided to forgo the creepy red contacts.
Kaleb looked back to his whiskey. “I want to fuck her. No secret there.”
“If that was all there was to it, then you would. Why abstain? I’m thinking you have feelings for her. You know she’ll give you a run for your money, Hawk.”
“How so?” Kaleb asked, his chin coming back up.
“I’ve known Suzi for many years, my friend. Where a lot of these donors give you boys everything you’re looking for, Suzi doesn’t. Most of the Sons know that if they want to be fed, Suzi’s more than willing. Anything else … they look up another donor.”
His gaze narrowed. “Other club goers?”
Draven shrugged again. “I can’t be sure what happens outside of here, but Suzi… She’s a good girl.”
“You?”
“I don’t normally fraternize with the donors.”
Kaleb let the fact slide that Draven hadn’t actually answered his question. “What about Ion?”
One of Draven’s brows rose. “Kane’s son? They hung together.”
“She fuck him?”
Draven shook his head, then chuckled. “Jesus, Hawk. You got it bad. Why not ask her yourself? I’ve already said too much. I need to protect my donors’ right to privacy as well.”
Kaleb motioned for the bartender to pour him a couple more fingers of the whiskey.
“All I’m saying, Hawk, is if you want that pretty little brunette, you best snatch her up before someone else does.”
“She already has a fiancé.” He sipped from his glass. “I’d say that’s pretty taken to me.”
“Lyle?” Draven laughed. “You aren’t too bright now are you?”
Kaleb’s gums ached as his fangs started to elongate. He tamped down his growing anger, knowing it wouldn’t do him any good to harm the barkeep for his insult. Draven was only calling them as he saw them, and at the moment Kaleb wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. Suzi Stevens had him so messed up, he couldn’t even keep his head on club business. He should be out there looking for the son of a bitch helping Rosalee, who was trying her damnedest to take his head. If he didn’t rid himself of the bitch soon, he might as well hand Rosalee his fucking head on a silver platter.
Draven picked up his hat from the bar. “Look, you do what you want, Hawk. No disrespect meant, but Lyle Murphy ain’t that girl’s type. She’s yours already. Anyone can see it in the way she looks at you. All you have to do is open up that stubborn heart of yours and take her.”
“What if I don’t want her?”
“Then let her go, man. Don’t string her along. She’s too sweet of a girl for that.”
Kaleb took another swallow from his glass. “She’s a cold-hearted bitch,” he mumbled more in an effort to convince himself.
“Says you.” Draven placed the hat on his head. “Enjoy your evening, Hawk.”
The barkeep disappeared through the backroom swinging doors, leaving Kaleb to his misery. He tapped the bar for another drink. When the bartender brought the Gentleman Jack over to pour him another half glass, Kaleb took the bottle from him.
“Leave it, man. I’m going to need it.”
* * *
Kaleb dragged his tired ass back to the clubhouse. He had left a message with the bartender to let Grayson know that he had called it a night. It probably wasn’t smart to be traveling by himself knowing that not only did Rosalee want his head separated from his shoulders, but a good possibility that one of the Knights did too. He pulled his chopper into the gravel parking lot, kicked down the center stand and sat on his bike, staring at the clubhouse entrance.
Hanging his skull cap on the handle bars of his bike, he dragged a hand through his hair and expelled the breath he held. What the hell was he waiting for? Hoping no doubt that Cara and Kane had made themselves scarce so he could have a moment’s peace and quiet. Christ, he didn’t think he could handle listening to those two going at it until the wee hours of the morning. Truth be told, he was still horny as fuck and hearing their pleasure would only heighten what he felt. Kaleb stepped over the seat of his bike, suddenly wishing he had taken Grayson up on the model material he had presented. Hell, he could’ve just closed his eyes.
A flash of red caught his eye. Kaleb turned to see a small red Neon parked adjacent to the building. “Ah hell!” he exclaimed.
His night had just taken a turn for the worse, if that were indeed possible. If he got through the remainder of his night without having Suzi Stevens horizontal beneath him, while he pumped into her like a crazed vampire, it would be nothing short of a miracle. Kane and Cara needed to get their own digs. If listening to their nightly screwing wasn’t enough, bringing her best friend into his home certainly proved they needed to move. He had half a mind to turn his bike back around and head the hell for the hills. He needed to clear his thoughts before seeing Suzi, no doubt about it. But the threat of losing his head had him moving toward the clubhouse instead. Maybe, with any luck, they’d ignore him. He could take an ice cold shower and hit his bed with a pair of Bose headphones and his music cranked to drown out the sound of her voice.
That would certainly work, but how the hell was he going to stop her scent from driving him to the brink of insanity?
Kaleb took in a deep breath and continued toward the entrance, his boots crunching across the gravel. He could hear the muted conversation through the door, and if he really tried, he could actually pick up every word. The fear of not liking what might be said behind his back had him swinging the door inward and ceasing all conversation as he stepped into the room.
A large smile he did not feel curved his cheeks, though he’d much rather go postal on Cara for bringing Suzi into his home. What the hell was she thinking?
“Waiting on me?” Kaleb asked. “I could use a couple more fifths of whiskey. Who’s with me?”
“Hawk,” Kane warned, from his position beside Cara on the sofa.
Suzi sat across from them, her feet tucked beneath her, making her appear even smaller than her five-foot-two self. Her fingers toyed with a strand of dark hair by her ear, twirling it around her index finger, looking as nervous as a whore in church. Rather than approach the three of them, Kaleb walked behind the bar and grabbed a fifth of whiskey. Having his blood regenerate at such a rapid rate that he couldn’t feel more than a slight buzz at any given time normally served him well. This wasn’t one of those times. How he wished he could drink himself into a stupor.
“Where’s Gypsy?” Kane asked.
Kaleb knocked back two fingers, then wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “I left him at the Rave. Last I saw he was headed up to Draven’s office with a blonde on one arm and a brunette on the other.”
Kane baited him. “And you came home?”
Kaleb’s gaze went to Suzi’s, pinning her to the sofa. He could hear her slight intake of air. “I wasn’t interested.”
“Really? Going soft, little brother?”
“Not a chance, Viper. Just wasn’t anyone there I was interested in fucking,” he said, not taking his eyes off Suzi’s. To her credit, she held his stare.
If Suzi intended on visiting her high school classmate here, then she better develop thick skin because he wasn’t about to go easy on her. The last vision he had of her was on her knees. By the look on her face, he’d bet her own thoughts traveled to the previous night and how she left him in a very high state of arousal. His nostrils flared. In fact, he knew damn well the thoughts running through her mind, if her scent was any indication. Kane and Cara no doubt picked up on the fact that Kaleb easily affected the little brunette as well. If Cara was smart, she’d get her friend the hell out of the clubhouse and as far away from him as possible.
* * *
Cara’s plan was working in spades if Kaleb’s obsidian gaze was any indication. But then again, getting him to desire Suzi had never been the issue. Breaking down the walls of hate surrounding his heart was. Other than telling him the truth about Ion, she didn’t see how that would be possible. She’d always be the cold-hearted bitch who hadn’t mourned the loss of his nephew … her lover. Suzi couldn’t betray Ion’s memory. He had been the only Son who truly treated her as a person, and not just someone needed for survival. Ion had loved her, just as thoroughly as Cara had.
Moisture sprang to her eyes, but Suzi blinked back the tears. She’d be damned if she’d allow Kaleb that kind of power over her. What the hell had she been thinking? She couldn’t do this. Maybe she should just beg him to release her from being a donor and walk away for good, move to the east coast and start a new life. Forget about the vampire whose sex-appeal was off the charts. Sure she craved Kaleb like crack to a junkie, but if she weren’t careful that desire would be her downfall. If she walked away now, then she did so with dignity and without allowing him to destroy her completely.
Suzi stood, smoothed her hands down her dark-blue, super-straight jeans. She had worn them, knowing they fit her like a glove and would capture Kaleb’s attention—at least that had been her hope. His gaze zeroing in on her ass as she turned slightly to the side, told her the outfit had worked. Not only had his eyes changed, his face was starting to take the shape of the vampire in him.
Most would be frightened by the transformation, but to her it was one hell of a turn-on.
Time to make excuses and quit the clubhouse before she did something stupid like grab his biceps and pull him in the direction of his quarters and beg him to make love to her. She doubted she’d get much of an argument from him. His nostrils flared, obviously detecting the scent of her arousal. Her gaze left his to land on first Kane, then Cara, who probably detected her reaction to Kaleb as well. Both tried unsuccessfully to look indifferent to protect her from further embarrassment. Great … now they were all aware of the affect Kaleb had on her. Suzi rolled her eyes and grabbed her keys from the center table.
Cara leaned forward, laying her hand on hers, and stopped her from her hasty exit. “Kane and I were just about to go for a ride.”
Kane glanced at Cara. “Seriously? Shit is just getting good,” he said with a humor-laced smile.
Cara swatted his arm. “Let’s take that bike of yours for a ride, vamp boy. I promise to make it worth your while.”
Kane gripped the front of Cara’s shirt and pulled her in for a deep kiss, leaving Cara damn near panting.
“Get a room, for God’s sake,” Kaleb growled. “And please … not here. I don’t think I could bear another night of you two tearing up the sheets.”
Suzi wasn’t sure allowing Cara and Kane to leave at this exact moment was the wisest choice for her. She suddenly wished she hadn’t gone for Cara’s idea to gain Kaleb’s notice by hanging at the clubhouse, wearing clothes sure to peak his interest. Playing games with an angry vampire was one thing, tempting fate with a highly sexually charged one was another. The minute Kane dropped his hold on Cara, Suzi grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the back of the clubhouse, hoping it was far enough out of vampire earshot.
“What the hell are you doing?” she whispered.
Cara smiled. “Giving you time to talk to Kaleb.”
“Does he look like he wants to talk?”
Biting back a laugh, Cara said, “No. No, he doesn’t. But he does look like he’s ready for some hot, sweaty makeup sex.”
“Makeup sex, Cara, is what you have when there is something to make up for. Hawk hates me.”
“So change his mind, sweetie.” She gripped Suzi’s face between her palms. “Sex can help mend a lot of fences and show Kaleb what he’s missing out on.”
A tremor slipped down her spine. “I’m not sure I can do this.”
“Sure you can.” Cara released her, gave her a wink, and headed for the front of the clubhouse. Kane grumbled as he followed his mate out the door, something about missing all the fireworks.
Suzi stood stock-still, staring at the back of the closed door, weighing her options. She could try to make it out of the clubhouse before Kaleb stopped her, that is if he even bothered himself to prevent her from leaving. Or she could walk over to the bar, swallow her dignity, and actually try to be cordial.
“You just going to stand back there all night or are you going to come join me for a drink?” Kaleb groused.
Suzi’s gaze went to his heated one. Yep, his desire hadn’t been squashed one iota. She was in deep shit if she stayed. She’d make sure to pay Cara back big time for leaving her alone when Kaleb was clearly in one of his black moods. Her friend might’ve meant well, but Suzi felt more like a sacrificial lamb at the moment.
Taking a deep breath, Suzi headed for the bar and slapped her palm on the wooden surface. She was already in this far, she might as well carry it through and pray her heart didn’t get slaughtered in the process. “Hit me.”
Kaleb’s grin widened, his fangs showing white against his lush red lips. He quickly poured her a shot, then held up the amber liquid in his glass. “Salute.”
Suzi couldn’t help but return his smile as she touched glasses with his, then took the small shot to her lips and downed the fiery liquid, the whiskey warming her clear to her toes. Liquid courage. Maybe if she had enough shots she could later blame the alcohol for her inhibitions.
Slamming her shot glass on the bar, she said, “Hit me,” again.
Kaleb chuckled. “Easy there, piccolo diavolo. If we’re going to do this, I don’t want you in a drunken stupor. I’d rather have you fully functioning.”
“Do what, Kaleb?”
Suzi didn’t think it possible, but his fangy smile went even larger.
“You called me Kaleb.”
“I did.”
“Does that mean I’ll be fucking you in a few minutes?”
Lust, pure and simple, arrowed straight to the juncture between her thighs. Suzi should be slapping his face for all his crudeness, instead she had an extreme desire to rip off his clothes and lick every square inch of his pale skin, starting at the wrist and working her way up his tattoo sleeve. She had always found his tattoos incredibly hot. Now was no exception.
She took a steadying breath. “No, Kaleb, it means I find myself in an amicable mood. One where I can tolerate being in the same room with you. Don’t push it.”
One of his brows arched. “I’ve told you in the past, piccolo diavolo, I’m always up for a challenge.”
“So you did.”
“And speaking of up…” He ran a palm down the steely erection, unmistakable beneath his jeans. “I believe we have unfinished business from last night.”
Suzi licked her suddenly dry lips as her gaze took in his hand running the length of him. Jesus, he had no idea what that did to her. Or maybe he did. She could easily imagine him pulling out his cock and fisting it, putting on a show just for her. Her entire body hummed with unrequited desire, causing her to shift in her stance.
Would it be so bad?
“Hit me,” she said again.
Kaleb stopped running his palm down the front of his pants, his gaze traveling her length. Heat spread through her limbs. Hell, she was already on fire. She certainly didn’t need the help of more whiskey.
His obsidian gaze landed back on hers. “No more alcohol.”
Kaleb’s nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath, then stepped forward, leaning in so close that his lips almost touched hers. Her knees damn near gave out. Where she sucked at the art of seduction, he more than made up for. Dear Lord, he could have written the damn book.
“About fucking…”
Screw what he thought of her. She needed Kaleb and wasn’t about to deny herself again. Fisting his black T-shirt, she closed the gap, her lips meeting his and shoving her tongue into his mouth, earning her a low growl before he palmed her ass and lifted her from the floor. Her legs wrapped his trim waist as Kaleb deepened the kiss. He tasted of all things illicit. Everything her father had warned her to stay away from. And deliciously, like the whiskey they had both just consumed.
Kaleb’s rock-hard erection rested hot against her center. The clothes separating them had become a damned nuisance. As he backed her against the closest wall, one of his hands left her ass to slide beneath her tight, black sweater to palm her breast. Her nipple instantly pebbled. He took little time pulling down the cup and freeing her breast. He pinched the small pink tip between thumb and forefinger. She gasped against his mouth.
“Please, Kaleb,” she whimpered.
“Say it, piccolo diavolo, and I’ll be happy to oblige.” Kaleb now licked a path up her neck, his fangs grazing her artery before nipping the fleshy part of her ear. “Fuck, I think I might just die if I don’t slide inside you soon.”
Suzi shivered from the warm breath spanning her flesh. “Take me, I’m—”
Stopping her from saying stupidly, “I’m yours,” the door to the clubhouse banged inward, Grayson strolling in with a redhead on his arm, and by the looks of it a very inebriated one. But just as she was about to suggest they find Kaleb’s capable bed, the woman raised her head with a drunken stupor smile plastered on her face.
“Suzi!” she slurred.
Jesus! Suzi swatted Kaleb, getting him to put her down. Once her shaken legs hit the floor and she righted her sweater, her fists went to her hips as she faced Grayson head on. Her anger skyrocketed at the other vampire standing before her, just as an unknown blonde and brunette followed the guilty two in the door.
“I brought the party home,” Grayson happily announced.
Suzi marched over to the cavalier biker, grabbed Tamera from his grasp and hissed, “Stay the hell away from her, Gypsy!”
He held up both palms and backed into the waiting arms of the other two women. “Suit yourself, woman. I have all I need here.” He winked at her, then looked from the blonde to the brunette. “Ladies?”
Grayson set off for his quarters, before calling back, “You really do know how to spoil a party, doll.”
“Asshole,” she spat after him, holding Tamera up.
She looked at Kaleb in apology. “I’m sorry,” was all she could think to say before grabbing her keys and heading out of the clubhouse with her roommate’s arm slung over her shoulder, leaning a good share of her weight on Suzi. No way could she allow Grayson to corrupt the young donor. Tamera needed a quick history lesson on Grayson Gabor.
Just before the door swung shut behind Suzi and Tamera, she heard Kaleb’s growl. “You really are an asshole, Gypsy.” Followed by a, “Fuck!” and the sound of breaking wood as if something had struck the bar top with extreme force.
Suzi winced as she helped her drunken roommate into the Neon. If Kaleb didn’t hate her before, he sure as hell did now. Suzi hurried around her car and quickly slid behind the driver’s seat and started the engine. She needed to get away from the clubhouse before she changed her mind and left Tamera to sleep her drunk off on the sofa while she and Kaleb… What the hell was she thinking? Had it not been for Grayson’s untimely arrival, she’d no doubt be waking up with a boatload of regret come morning.
“Let’s get you home,” she said, looking at a frowning Tamera.
“What did you do with my Gypsy Wipsy?” she whispered, already half asleep as she settled more fully into the car’s cloth seat.
A chuckle escaped Suzi’s lips before turning into full-blown mirth. She couldn’t help wonder what the bad-ass vampire would think of his new nickname. With more peals of laughter, Suzi tucked that bit of information away for another time, and headed for Florence, back to their shared apartment.