Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Guardian 9)

"Ah, yes," she said, and pressed a button.

I heard no bell, but two seconds later, a thin brown woman appeared out of a side door and gave me a welcoming smile. "Ms. Jenson," she said, "if you'll just follow me, Mr. O'Conor is waiting."

Her words swirled through me, oddly reminding me of the people who weren't waiting. Kade. Kye. The bitter darkness rose, but I shoved it back ruthlessly. I had a man who loved me - and whom I loved - waiting for me. It was enough.

No, that dark part whispered. It isn't.

I ignored it and continued to follow the woman.

We went through a different door, and the smell of chlorinated water began to dominate. But underneath that ran tantalizing wisps of vanilla, orange, and spices.

"This is the spa treatment area," the woman said, obviously doing the guided tour. "The message therapy rooms are in the other wing. If you'd like a treatment after your spa, we can arrange that easily." Her gaze skated down to my hands. "The two-hour hand and foot ritual is very relaxing."

I followed her gaze. My nails weren't that bad. Well, okay, the polish was chipped and my nails a little rough, but they didn't deserve the sort of look she was giving them.

"I'll keep that in mind," I said mildly, although I was betting this place was way out of my price range.

She nodded, then knocked on the last door before opening it. "Mr. O'Conor, Ms. Jenson has arrived."

"Thanks, Sasha."

Sasha nodded, then closed the door behind me. I raised an eyebrow at Quinn. "You're on a first-name basis?"

He smiled, his dark eyes twinkling. "Is that jealousy I hear?"

"Depends on why you're on first-name terms."

He laughed and walked around the bubbling pool that dominated the room. His feet were bare, and each step slapped softly against the dark marble floors, the sound oddly in tune with the water. The walls behind him were a warm brown and the fittings on the spa gold. Basically, the whole room screamed opulence. But even so, there was nothing in the room as sumptuous as the vampire who walked toward me. Not even the delicious scent of ham and fresh breads rising from the buffet tucked into the corner behind me could tempt my gaze away from him.

My nostrils flared, drawing in the rich aroma of him as he drew closer, then he took me in his arms and kissed me. Not sweetly, not softly, but with all the hunger of a man in need. I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned the kiss in kind, and for many minutes there was nothing but this kiss and this man and the need that rose like a bonfire between us.

He finally pulled back, his eyes aglow with desire. "To answer your question," he said, "a friend of mine couldn't raise enough financing to open this place, so I invested. I know the staff because I'm a silent partner."

"So that's why you could get this room on such short notice."

"I'm certainly not above abusing my position if the need arises."

My gaze swept across his clothed body, coming to rest on his groin. "And it certainly looks to me like the need has arisen."

"It has. Shall we retire to the water?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

I shucked off my clothes, then watched Quinn do the same. Once naked, he took my hand then helped me step into the tub. The water smelled faintly of chlorine, but it wasn't overpowering, and the bubbly warmth quickly worked its magic on my body, making me feel more relaxed than I had in ages.

I sank down into it with a sigh of pleasure. "This was a good idea."

"It was, wasn't it?" He floated over to me, a teasing smile on his lips and heat in his eyes. "But I thought you'd come here to have more basic needs sated ..."

"Maybe the water is enough," I teased, entwining my legs around his body and drawing him closer. The spicy, luscious odor of him, rich with the scent of desire, swam around me, enhancing my need.

I smiled and pressed myself against him, enjoying his warmth and his closeness.

"Meaning I shouldn't kiss you senseless?" he murmured.

His lips were so close I could almost taste them. Almost. It was like being offered chocolate but not being able to eat it. And it made me want him even more fiercely.

"Meaning," I replied, the quaver in my voice all desire, "you should only kiss me if you really, really want to."