Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jenson Guardian 5)

I raised my eyebrows. "And why would he do that?"

He shrugged. "The boss likes pretty girls." He paused, his gaze running down my body suggestively. "And you are certainly that."

Despite it being an obvious line, I smiled. Hey, a woman has to take compliments when she can get them. "And is your boss around?"

"No, he was called away on some emergency business." He shrugged again. "They don't tell the plebs anything."

The wryness in his tone made my smile widen. There was something almost cunning in this big wolf's eyes, something that suggested he didn't actually miss much at all. And that could come in very handy.

"Do the plebs get lunch breaks?"

The interest in his eyes flared deeper. "They do. In half an hour."

I touched his arm lightly, leaning forward conspiratorially, in the process giving him a nice view of my breasts. There was nothing in my agreement with Kellen that excluded flirting. "And are they allowed to... talk... to the customers? Accept a drink or two?"

"They certainly can talk." Amusement teased his lips as his gaze flicked down then up. "And as long as the drink is nonalcoholic, that will be fine."

I ran my fingertips lightly down to his hand. "I might see you inside, then."

"I think you just might."

I walked away, feeling his gaze on my butt as I headed in. And I have to say, I worked it. Nothing like the interest of a man to make the wolf flirt outrageously.

The main room was hot, suggesting the air-conditioning still wasn't working properly. There weren't as many people pressed onto the dance floor this afternoon, but most of the booths were full. I flared my nostrils, sucking in the scents, allowing the lust and the scent of sex to flood through my body. My pulse, already racing, stepped up another level.

It was a shame I couldn't actually do anything, thanks to the promise I'd made to Kellen. This might be a scouting trip, but if I had sex here, it would be because I wanted to, not because I had to. And that wasn't in the spirit of our agreement.

I walked down the steps and did a circuit of the room, then stopped and got a drink from the almost empty bar. "So," I said, showing my pass as the bartender slid a beer across the counter. "Where's a girl to find some real action in this joint?"

"The Executive Room? That'll be the doors to the left of the bar, ma'am." He pointed out the silvery doors wrapped in shadows. "Just slide your pass through the slot. The Executive is on the left."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning interest when I already knew the answer thanks to Jodie. "So what's the room on the right?"

"It's for guests of the owners, and by invitation only."

"Thanks." I collected my beer and headed for the doors.

I swiped the card through the appropriate slot. The little red light flashed for several seconds, then flicked to green. The door clicked, then opened, revealing a short, shadowed corridor. Better and better.

I stepped through the door, and almost immediately saw the sturdy-looking guard to my right. Bang went my plans for a little easy breaking and entering.

"The Executive Room?" I asked, my gaze skimming the shadows, looking for cameras and infrareds. There were three of the former - one covering each door, and one near what looked to be an elevator - but none of the latter.

"Door to your left, ma'am," he said politely.

"Thanks." I lowered a shield and carefully felt for his mind, my psychic probe little more than a barely there caress.

The guard wasn't shielded, and his mind was wide open for invasion. Which suggested they either had nothing to hide, or that they didn't think they were ripe for trouble in the safety of their back rooms. It was mighty tempting to do a full mind-raid, but the cameras were on me and I couldn't afford to stand still. Not even for the short amount of time it would take to read his mind.

I turned on my heel and headed for the lushly padded doors to my left. While the cameras weren't infrared, disappearing into shadows in the middle of the corridor was likely to gain more than a little attention from whatever security forces were watching the screens.

The velvety doors slid open as I approached, and the soft purr of music spun out. Like the main room, the dance floor here dominated the space, but there were fewer tables and more sofas and beanbags spread out along the walls. The room itself was warmer in tone, the walls a rich gold and the furnishings a mix of leather and plush materials. The sensual and erotic melodies of the music mingled with the scent of lust and sex in the air, creating an ambience that was relaxing yet sexy. I breathed deep, allowing the atmosphere to soak deep inside. An answering tremor of excitement coursed through every fiber. Now, this room was more my style. I guess it was the more intimate atmosphere I found sexier - the main room was just too large for someone used to smaller venues.

I walked down the steps and around the dance floor, looking for anyone resembling Adrienne's drawing. The sights and sighs of mating were all around, and my own lust rose, sweetening the air. A shifter gravitated toward me, drawn like a bee to honey by the scent of a willing wolf in heat. I gave him a smile and shook my head. I'd made a promise, and I intended to keep it.

I claimed a booth toward the rear of the room, placing my drink on the table before tugging off my shirt and dumping it beside the drink. If anyone happened to come looking for me - and there was no reason why they should - they'd think I was on the dance floor. After a quick look around to be sure there were no eyes or cameras pointed my way, I faded into shadow.

It was easy enough to slip through the darkness hugging the dance floor. The tricky bit was timing the sweep of muted lights with someone going through the main door. I missed several chances thanks to the timing of the lights, but finally followed a panting and naked couple out of the door. They went right, to the bathroom. I stepped left, into the deeper darkness.