“What a generous bid, Mr. Marcellus,” Amelia stated looking at Vanessa’s nervous expression.
Her eyes were about to jump out of her skull.
Vanessa swallowed. The largest male in the room had just offered an exorbitant amount of money to pop her cherry.
She knew she would make bank, but this was ridiculous. Oh well. She would consider it an added bonus in addition to the experience.
She looked around, wondering if anyone else would bid. The dude was massive and scary-looking. His face was too intense. He was probably super-attractive when he smiled, but he looked like he would murder anyone who went against him.
When no one raised a hand, she felt a small amount of relief. Vanessa did not want to end up with the aggressive asshat making obscene gestures with his mouth. Who does that?
“If there are no counterbids, then I declare this round closed,” Amelia announced.
Quin stood and stalked towards his prize, feeling her eyes on him as he approached.
As he got closer, Vanessa felt her panties dampen. They must have pulled the moisture straight from her mouth, because it had gone bone dry.
She liked that he was the only one here not in a suit. She was more comfortable with casual attire.
His slacks were snug, as was his white button-down. She didn’t think it was because of the style. It was because he was so fucking huge.
Her eyes flashed to his crotch, knowing a giant lived inside those trousers.
She was curious and terrified at the same time. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen or touched one before. She just hadn’t let it go further than a hand job or a blow job.
Quin saw Vanessa’s eyes lower to the front of his pants and he smirked. His Little Fawn was curious, and he couldn’t wait to give her a lesson.
“Quin,” Amelia said, trying to drag his attention away from Vanessa. She needed to talk to him before he went upstairs.
“Later,” he growled, grabbing Vanessa by the waist and teleporting directly to his room. Only full-blooded immortals could teleport. He rarely used this gift. Tonight, it couldn’t be helped. He vaguely registered Amelia’s siren voice telling him something as he vanished.
When they landed, he let go, needing a second to calm. He walked to the bar and poured a drink then downed it.
“May I have one, as well? Or is that against the rules?”
Quin wiped his mouth and poured her a drink. Before he could hand it to her, there was a knock at the door. No one ever knocked on his door unless he ordered service, which he hadn’t.
“Sit,” he commanded, pointing to one of the chairs. He set her drink down on the table next to it and went to the door.
She raised an eyebrow but sat without a word.
Quin opened the door and found a smiling Eriq on the other side.
“I didn’t think you had it in you, bro.”
“What the fuck do you want? I’m busy.”
Eriq winced. “Yeah, about that. Amelia sent me up here.”
“Why?”
You figured out what Vanessa is yet? Eriq asked telepathically.
They didn’t advertise what sort of immortal the volunteers were, but scent gave it away. Sometimes, you could tell by looks.
Quin looked over at Vanessa, who was calmly sipping her drink and staring right back at him, smirking.
Saucy wench. This might actually turn out to be fun.
Her hair was dark red and long, down to her lower back. Her eyes were hazel with golds and greens mixed.
Her clothing was simple. She wore a white tank and low-slung black cotton pants. And flip-flops.
How had he not noticed before? She was dressed like she was getting ready to do laundry, not sell her body in a sex club. She didn’t even meet the dress code requirements to get in the front door.
She was different from the others who came to Club Shadow. She wasn’t trying to act sexy or flaunt her body in a tiny dress. She’d dressed for comfort for an event that was far from normal.
Vanessa hardly appeared phased. She didn’t appear to be self-conscious in the least. It made her more attractive—if that was even possible.
He looked at Eriq and lifted a shoulder, grinning, feeling like he’d won the godsdamned lottery.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m keeping her.”
Now get the fuck out of here.
Eriq rolled his eyes. Quin, who was usually so calm, cool, and controlled, could also be stubborn as shit. But they were brothers, and this was important, so Eriq wouldn’t leave until he knew Quin was okay.
She’s a succubus, Q.
Quin’s face blanked, his body became eerily still.
Damnit, Quin. It’s not a big deal. She’s a virgin. She is not Josette. She is not a threat to you.
Quin didn’t respond. He was fighting between his pressing need to possess the female in his room, and to avoid anything and anyone that reminded him of his past.
“Do you want me to stay? I’ll stay if you need me,” Eriq offered.
Quin’s head, acting quicker than his thoughts, shook no. When he imagined Eriq seeing his Vanessa naked, or knowing how she looked when she came, his inner beast snarled.
Quin didn’t get it. Ever since Josette had tried to steal his lifeforce with her succubus powers, nearly turning him mortal, he’d been more than careful with whom he brought to bed.
The selfish bitch had wanted his god powers. Her father had been human. So, even though she could live forever, she would still die if her head was removed from her body.
When he realized the female he loved was trying to kill him, his heart had shattered. He’d held it close ever since, only trusting family with his affections.
“Quin—”
“No. I’m good … I think. Shit. Stay close, okay? Just, don’t come in here.”
Eriq nodded.
Actually, why don’t you watch the cameras? Quin suggested. He wasn’t sure if it was Vanessa or himself that might need rescuing.
Every room had live feeds. The family, however, had theirs turned off unless their partners were into it. Quin had never left his feed on, preferring privacy.
“Alright, Q,” Eriq said, turning to leave. “Holler if you need me.”
Quin nodded and shut the door.
When he turned, he was met with a scowling face, and a hand on a very appealing hip.
“You think you’re gonna need help getting this done, Big Guy?”
With that little quip, Vanessa had unknowingly taken a swing at the block of ice surrounding Quin’s heart.