I mixed her drink and set it on the bar. “Wow, must have been really great sex if you felt the need to discuss another woman afterwards.” Okay, I know that was bitchy but I couldn’t help myself.
She took a sip and pulled back with a smile. “Oh, quite the contrary. The sex was outstanding. He’s one talented demon. Oh, but wait a minute. You already know that. Don’t you?”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” I snapped.
She assessed me salaciously and grinned. “Oh, don’t be shy, darling. I could tell that the two of you had a history so I asked him about it and the floodgates broke. He’s very fond of you and I can certainly understand why. You’re a beautiful woman, Karli.”
I scrunched my face. “Uh, thanks,” I said as I started walking away.
She grabbed my wrist, halting my progress. “No need to be so modest. Chad told me in great detail how electrifying you are in the bedroom. I know you’re certainly not a prude. I find myself wanting to experience it personally. Perhaps the three of us can get together sometime?”
“Um, thanks but no thanks. I don’t swing that way.”
She pouted. “What a pity. He said you wouldn’t agree but you can’t blame a girl for trying, right?”
Ugh. I was appalled! Who did this woman think she was? Before I could tell her to get the hell out of my bar, Leo marched up to her.
“Maria, I heard you were back in town,” he scowled. “What are you doing here?”
She gave him a fangy smile and grabbed his hand. “Oh, Leo, I was wondering when I would get to see you!” She threw her arms around his neck and leaned in to his body, lingering a little too long before pulling back. “Ooh, you are still as delicious as you always were! Can I buy you a drink? It’s the least I could do to repay you for everything you’ve given me.” Huh?
Leo stiffened and removed her arms from his neck. He gave me an uncomfortable look before returning his attention to her. “No, that’s quite unnecessary. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave this establishment.” Yay, Leo!
She stuck out her bottom lip, pouting again. “Oh, Leo, don’t be that way.” She sat back down and started trailing her finger up his forearm. “Really, after all we’ve been through? I was just getting to know your lovely bartender here. I hear she is most alluring. She’s managed to catch the attention of my two favorite men in Vegas... as you well know. No one has been able to do that since…well, since me!” She laughed and turned her attention back to me, staring intently as she spoke. “But this one is different. I hear that she’s managed to neuter one of the most insatiable, virile vampires I know. Heard he’s getting his blood from a bank these days. It’s a shame really, that he would deny himself the pleasure of taking directly from the vein. Makes me wonder what makes her so special?”
Leo’s face reddened, his pale blue eyes took on an eerie glow, and his fangs shot out like a switchblade. I jumped. Shit, I don’t think I’d ever seen him this pissed before. I risked another glance at him and winced. Pissed was an understatement. I didn’t even know what to call this. “That’s enough, Maria.” He grabbed her by the elbow forcefully, lifting her off the barstool. “I’m not going to ask again. You need to leave now. Do not make me ask you again.” He growled. I mean, literally growled.
She held up her hands in surrender. “Oh, put your fangs away, Leo. I’ll leave. I’m sure Ms. Lane and I will find other ways to get…acquainted. I’m back in Vegas indefinitely, you know. ”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Leo managed through fully extended fangs.
She took a fifty out of her purse and placed it on the bar. She leaned over and covered my hand with her own. I was trying my damnedest not to flinch but I don’t think I succeeded very well. “Goodbye, Karli. I’ll be seeing you soon.” She turned around and blew Leo a kiss as she strolled out of the bar.
He came up to me and said, “Are you okay, my love?”
“Leo, what the hell was that about?”
“Whatever do you mean, my dear?”
I put my hand on my hip. “Leo, don’t do that. What the hell was she talking about? How well do you know her? What did she mean by ‘after everything you’ve given me’? What have you given her, Leo? And how the hell did she become a vampire?” I gasped as it hit me like a brick in the face. “Oh, fuck me six ways from Sunday, that’s what you gave her! You made her a vampire, didn’t you???”
He looked around, uncomfortable with the attention we were gathering. He leaned forward and whispered, “I will tell you everything tonight after work. Can you come by my place?”
“You mean your actual home?” I asked, shocked by the invitation. “Not the club?”
He looked around nervously. “Go through the back door of the club and meet me in my office,” he replied. “I’ll be waiting for you. I can escort you downstairs.”
My curiosity overrode anything else I was feeling for the time being. “Okay. I’ll be there as soon as I get out of here.”
Eight
Vance arrived a few minutes after Leo took off. He spotted me and increased his pace until he was standing directly in front of me. “Leo called. He said Maria was headed here. Where is she?”
“Is Leo Maria’s maker?” I asked.
“What makes you think that?” he countered.
“Because of the way they were behaving towards one another. And what she said to him. There’s definitely a past between the two of them. I’ve never seen him get that pissed before. Ever. It wasn’t even close to the way I’ve seen him get with you.”