Crimson Truth (Onyx Assassins 4)

“Oh Goddess,” Jocelyn seethed.

Isabel blushed bright red.

“I...I know how to please a female!” Clarence babbled.

“Benedict,” Jocelyn warned in a hissed whisper, her hair wrapping around my arm as if to restrain me, but I smelled blood and I was going in for the proverbial kill.

I lifted up my forearm so everyone at the table could see the magic tattoo appear. I know how to please a female.

“I know every lie you speak, warlock. Let me help you out,” I said, leaning forward. “It’s this little bundle of nerves right between—”

Jocelyn covered my mouth with her hand. “I think we can call this evening a failure and just move on. Anyone else?”

“Every lie?” He paled.

Isabel blinked rapidly, then looked across the room. “I think I’ll join my parents for dessert.” She pushed away from the table before I could even help her with her chair, practically fleeing the scene.

“She brought her parents on a date?” Jocelyn blurted.

I ran my tongue along the seam of her fingers, tasting the sweet cherry of her drink and a hint of salt. Mine.

She gasped and snatched back her hand.

I took a deep breath, trying to beat back the instincts that demand I lay claim to the witch right here on the table. She wasn’t mine. She wasn’t even my kind.

“What is she, Benedict? Eighteen?” Jocelyn snapped.

“Twenty-eight, and she’s older than you.” I threw ten hundred-dollar bills on the table and stood, holding my hand out to Jocelyn. “We’re going home.”

Her jaw dropped, and her violet eyes took on a wicked gleam. “Maybe Clarence and I want to go dancing.”

“Actually, I don’t like dancing,” Clarence said slowly, like telling the truth was new for him.

“Learn,” I suggested. “It will help you in the other department.” My jaw locked and I fisted my jacket, lowering my empty hand to her chair. “We’re going home. Now, little witch.”

“Fine.” She pushed back from the table and sauntered off, her hair and dress swishing as she strode for the door, fully confident that I was following.

I did.

The cool night air didn’t lower my temperature as we walked onto the street, but the breeze was a welcome relief. I nodded to the valet, who took off running for the car.

“Just wend us home,” Jocelyn ordered, folding her arms across her chest as goosebumps rose on her arms.

“No.” Somehow, the single word came out toneless. At least I still had control in some areas. Noticing her slight shiver, I put my jacket over her shoulders.

“I don’t need anything from you,” she snapped, but clutched the lapels close.

“Are you sure about that? Because you sure as hell came here looking for something.” I pushed my hands into my pockets, keeping her in my peripherals while the valet drove my Pagani over.

“Why won’t you just wend us?”

“Because I need the ten-minute drive to calm the fuck down before the entire house hears me lose it on you for ruining my date,” I stated, locking down every emotion.

Like I even needed to look for Jocelyn anymore. My entire body was attuned to hers. I pretty much had Jocelyn-radar at this point. Fuck, I’d smelled her when she’d walked in the room tonight—

Wait.

The custom paint, so blue that it was almost indigo, reflected the streetlights as the valet parked the car right in front of us.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Jocelyn spat.

“Benedict,” the valet said, tossing me the keys, already having hit the button to open the falcon wing doors. “I can’t believe you have one of these!”

“Thanks.” I handed the kid another bill and made sure Jocelyn was tucked in tight before I got behind the wheel.

I pulled out onto the empty street, and stopped at the red light.

Jocelyn snorted, shaking her head.

“What, now?” I kept my eyes on the light, and not the expanse of thigh on my passenger seat. I never should have kissed her, never should have tasted just how sweet she was, not only because it was forbidden, but because I wanted more.

“You’re seriously driving an illegal car, but stopped at a red light.” She glared over at me. “You’re such a hypocrite.”

“How do you know this car is illegal?” I hit the gas as the light changed, the sports car purring beneath my hands.

“Because it’s a Pagani Huayra, right?”

My eyebrows rose with genuine surprise. Shit, when was the last time someone had actually managed to shock me?

“I’m not an idiot, Benedict.”

“If I’d known you’d crash my date, I would have driven something else.” I pulled onto the highway and accelerated. The car took off effortlessly, slicing through the empty lanes as we sped toward the manor.

“Oh really? Afraid I’ll hurt your precious car?”

“The airbags aren’t good enough. That’s why it’s illegal, and you’re a bit more fragile than I am, princess.” We hit ninety and I eased up. The Edgemont police and I had a deal. I kept it under a hundred in city limits, and they stopped trying to catch up. Not that they knew what I really was, just that I had an unlimited pocket from which to pay fines.