Page 4 of Protected by the Vampire

She winked. “You got it.”

How the hell had I not seen her approach?

I’d barely started turning away when a glass appeared in front of me.

“Here you go. That’ll be twelve.”

What the hell? Did she have the drink already prepared?

“Thanks.” I think. I handed over a twenty, pocketed my change after leaving a tip, and took a sip of the bourbon and cola.

A shout cut through the noise. My attention snapped toward the crowd to see two men squaring off against each other.

“You stole it.”

“I did not.”

Before I could process what was happening, the first guy picked up the other and threw him—fucking threw him—across the room like he weighed nothing. I was on my feet instantly, pressing my back to the wall. My hand itched for my gun at my waist, but I didn’t pull it yet.

A woman in a sheer gown drifted up beside me. “Hmm.” She inhaled deeply. “You smell delicious.”

Grunting something noncommittal, I kept my eyes fixed over her shoulder as a security guard, who looked similar to the front guy, Danny, caught both troublemakers by the backs of their necks and walked them out.

My gaze snagged on the woman when she stepped into my personal space and walked her nails up my arm to trace a finger over my chest. “Don’t worry about them.” She drew in another breath as my heart slowed to its normal rhythm. “May I have a little nip?”

A little nip?

She was stunning, but she didn’t do anything for me. “What?”

“I want a taste, my dear.”

Whatever the fuck she meant put me on edge and had me clipping, “No.”

Her face screwed up in anger. “You’d deny me? You’re a piece of trash.” She wound her hand around my throat.

I grabbed at her arm, trying to pry her away, my fingers digging into her skin.

Fucking bitch was strong. I kicked out, landing a good jab to her thigh with my boot, but she didn’t even flinch.

How is she this strong?

“Cellie, unhand him now.”

I flicked my gaze over her head to see Soren glowering at the woman in front of me.

My cock twitched from the sight of him and his sharp tone.

Christ, even when I was getting choked out, I still reacted to the guy.

No wonder I couldn’t stay away. It didn’t matter that I still thought he could do way better than me. Even if it was just for the night.

Cellie hissed in my face before she said, “Eminence, I asked nicely.”

“He said no. Listen.”

When she released me, I sucked in some much-needed oxygen.

Cellie spun around to face Soren, and I knew she was about to rant, but Soren palmed her face and shoved her to the side, where she stumbled back and dropped to her ass.