Chapter 6

I see Louis.

Target in view.

I feel like a secret assassin, waiting for the right time to poison a drink.

I am at the bar with cash in hand, the colorful bills tucked in my white-gloved hand. I take a shaky breath and avoid many stares my way; some people openly gape at me.

I didn't realize what a sore thumb I am.

All of the F.G.I. agents.

"Dolly, what is a respectful drink?"

She looks at me in her bot form and says, "Most expensive and high-class drink for a woman. It says... is the Faerie Blood. It's a dark red wine that is most sought after. Served in a tiny crystal glass."

I nod at her and get a bartender's attention.

I gape. "Star," I breathe.

Her eyes widen. "Holy shit, how are you doing?" she looks around, "This is nuts."

I cover my mouth with my glove. "Can you believe it?" I look around then back to her. "You look beautiful, by the way," I say. She does, in her tight brown corset that matches her chocolate skin. "You get a word in with Louis?"

She smiles. "Louis has already ordered three drinks from me, actually requested I make them."

My eyes widen. "Well, shit," I blurt then redden, and look around, I need to keep my voice down.

She rolls her eyes. "It's hardly anything. What do you want?"

"Faerie's blood."

She smirks. "Popular drink, the other agents ordered the same," She laughs.

I groan.

"Charlie," I hear and freeze, heart pounding.

Louis.

I turn to see him walking up to me with Brittany on his arm. I feel irritation rise in me, and I give her a bitter smile. His gaze flickers over me. "You look stunning, my dear. But, I am sure you know that," he says. "Did you find your room to your liking?"

I take the drink from Star and look at him. "Yes, I did. But I like it when I hear the compliment from you," I say and smile at him.

I almost want to cringe.

So cheesy.

He laughs. "I can't imagine you would lack from compliments Charlie; you are truly stunning." Brittany leaves to the bar, clearly annoyed. "Lovely drink choice," he says with approval, not noticing Brittany's departure.

ONE POINT FOR ME.

So lame that I am keeping track of the dumbest stuff, but this is a competition.

Louis looks at a pocket watch. "Do you care if my brother joins us? I know you two got off on the wrong foot, but Jules is quite persistent in getting to know you," Louis says oddly.

His voice fades off.

Fucking hell.

Shock courses through my body, making my vision swim. My eyes lock with the crystal blue ones, vivid and intense. I know those eyes, but fate could not be so cruel. Could it? This could not be the Jules in the face mask, from earlier? No. I can feel my pulse take flight as I try and remain calm. I need a snickers bar to swallow me up. Or, maybe a sinkhole.

Jules walks up to us, his eyes zoned in on me, and me alone. I look away, steadying my breath.

Like a coward.

I will not admit that Jules is... he is...I won't say it, I cant.

I feel Dolly poke me, but I don't look at her. I want to yell, fuck off! And I rarely curse. I take a sip of my dainty drink that I hate with a shaky hand, the slight burn reminding me that this is real — never been a fan of wine. I am more of a whiskey and scotch girl.

I glance back to Louis with a forced smile.

Louis turns and grins at Jules who is a head taller. "Jules, you're scaring the Lady. Do you have to be so imposing? If you smiled, you would not scare half the people in here," Louis chuckles.

Shit.

I look at Louis and fakely laugh. "He is not, sorry, I just had a long trip to get here. And it was a shock to have his men pull over the bus so rudely," I stammer and force myself to look up at Jules. I hope I am glaring, not panting.

His is currently gazing at my body then back up to meet my stare, a smile pulling at his lips. I exhale slowly and see that his face is tan with perfect—I mean, attractive features. A tattoo graces the side of his face, by his hairline. Not hot at all, I tell myself. I notice that is long brown hair is highlighted with golden-blond like he is out in the sun most of his day. It's pulled back save for one tantalizing—not tantalizing, healthy golden strand.

I have never been a fan of facial hair, but on him, it works very well. It's trimmed short and well-manicured. He might be too pretty without it, like Fabio on a romance cover.

I mean, I need to give credit to where it's deserved.

"Ms. Brey," Jules says in his accent that forces a shiver down my spine.

"I really do not have much to say to you," I get out rather rudely.

Louis almost spits out his drink.

Jules does not seem fazed and continues to study my face, then back down over my breasts, not caring that I saw. He puts an arm on the bar right next to me, forcing me to look at him. "I can't fault the lady in her opinion of me. That's her prerogative," he says and taps Louis on the back rather roughly. "I will be at the card table, come find me later when you are done chatting with all of the," his crystal gaze lands on mine, "Respectable ladies." Jules winks and gives me a sexy—normal smile. Normal. And, turns to leave with an irritating smirk.

I repress a flinch.

Dear goodness, he's not going to forget the naughty undergarments he saw from Pierce. Wonderful. But, didn't Peirce say to keep him on the hook? Like, it might throw off his scent. Be a tease? I can be a tease.

"Jules is all bark and no bite, do not fear him," Louis says as he studies me, sipping his drink. "He loves the beautiful women, just like I do," Louis comments as his gaze flickers over me. "And the Dahlia seems to acquire the cream of the crop."

"I do not fear him," I say and smile up at Louis, giving him my come-get-me smile.

Louis's eyes gaze lingers on my lips then back up to my eyes. "I am so glad you made the trip, such a pleasant surprise," he murmurs.

I think Louis is coming on to me.

I take a tiny sip as my eyes drift over to the card table and see Jules leaning back in his chair, staring straight at me. A smile playing on his lips as he glances to his brother, then back to me.

I look away.

He is making fun of me, that cocky grin.

I wish I could splash my drink in his face. I can feel my cheeks redden as I try to ignore Jules's penetrating stare. I don't like him watching me, judging me. I look at him, and he raises his drink to me, taking a sip while his light eyes lock with mine. I look away again, feeling slightly violated. When that man looks at me, it's like he is seeing me in those risky corsets.

"So, Charlie. What is your aim? To tour the city? I'd be happy to show you around," Louis says as Brittany walks up to us.

She glares at me, then glances at him. "Louis, would you be so kind and show me the copper rooftop? I want to see the stars; I hear it's spectacular."

I roll my eyes.

I slightly glance at Jules, and he still regards us with amusement, the only thing he is missing is damn popcorn. Women are flocking around Jules, but he seems not to notice them. His black sleeves are cuffed up, showing his muscled forearms. The dark vest is pulled so tightly against his muscled torso, it looks like it might pop off.

I glance back to Louis.

Don't give that man the pleasure of ogling him.

"Charlie, forgive me. But I promised Ms. Decker to show her the interplanetary modifier. I will be back," he says, and I nod at him. I take another sip and refrain from making a face, hating the smug look on Brittany's face.

This is not easy.

"Dry your eyes, Dove."

I tense but I don't look.

"Louis will not leave you for long. He is not a moron," comes that smooth voice.

The hairs on my neck stand up.

I take a slow breath and look at him. I can smell the scent of him, and it's not unpleasant. He smells like a very clean man. There. "What do you want?"

"You know what I want; you just won't tell me where it is," he says darkly. "I am going to get it out of you, eventually."

I swallow. I force a glare at him and decide to play a little. "You really think you know everything, don't you?"

He is so close, Jules puts his long arms on either side of me. Our legs are touching, and I am on edge, hoping no one is witnessing this. I don't breathe.

"My Dove, you have a venomous bite," he whispers, sending butterflies to my stomach.

"Don't call me that," I get out.

His eyes lower and trace over my breasts, making my skin feel on fire. "You let Louis call you by your first name. I am starting to think you like him."

I will play on that. "I think Louis is a very handsome, polite man. Not like you, a complete ass," I hiss, lowering my voice. "Move away from me."

Jules smiles at me and looks back, probably to make sure Louis is nowhere in sight. He leans in closer, "I am very good at reading people, and I think that Louis is not your type."

I laugh, feeling my ticking heart quicken. "You're jealous?"

"Absolutely not."

I look away. "Then leave it be."

He shifts, tilting his head at me. "I like watching you make a fool out of yourself. Batting your eyes and pushing out your tits, all for a man that is not right for you."

I think my face is going to ignite on fire. "Then who is, if you're so smart."

"Me," he says without missing a beat.

I suck in a breath. "You are arrogant to think that."

"No, I am right to think that," he says with an expression that has my thighs squeezing together.

Double damn.

I have to change tactics, or I will be ripping off his clothes in front of everyone. "You hate me, so what good is that?"

"Very true," he says with a smile. "And your loss. Must be hard being related to a soulless bastard."

I don't know what his game is, but I am on edge.

"Oh darn," I say as mellow as I can. "Please excuse me while I go and mourn about what we could of had. I will have to settle for your brother. Louis doesn't seem to mind who I'm related to."

He does not miss a beat. "After a drink, a toast to our new friendship," he mocks and does not move so I can get up. He takes my delicate crystal and sets in on the bar behind me, almost breaking the glass. He looks up, and his black-gloved hand gleams in the low lighting as he holds up a two fingers. "Two Otros. Salt."

I hear Star say, "Right away."

"I am not taking a drink with you," I say breathlessly.

He looks down at me. "Yes, you will because you are not a coward, Ms. Brey."

I look to my left and see two shots of amber liquor and a tiny copper salt shaker on the table. Jules looks behind him then back to me. "Roll up your sleeve, I'll show you how to take this."

I am intrigued. I smile coyly at Jules, wanting to give him a taste of his own medicine. I take off my glove and toss it on the bar, then roll up my white sleeve. "Let me guess; I lick salt off my skin?"

He smiles at me. "Dove, I am surprised you know that. Yes, do you need help?"

Jules looks like he is enjoying this immensely.

I would be lying if I say that am not affected by the predatory look he is giving me. Jules is quite the male specimen. I bend down and lick my forearm slowly, glancing up at him.

"Damn woman," he mutters as he watches me.

I pour salt on my arm, lick it up, then take the shot like a pro. The burn of the liquor reaches my stomach; the taste is caramelly sweet. "Delicious," I say.

His gaze burns into me. "My turn."

His gloved hand reaches up and opens my high collar making me tense. I try and pull back, "what are you doing?"

"Tilt your head," he whispers, making my skin tingle.

I do.

Can't help it.

When I tilt my head, he leans down to my neck and brushes his lips across my skin. I stop breathing, feeling his arm wrap around my waist. I almost moan when his tongue licks me, and I can feel his sexual energy engulfing me. He pulls up and grabs the salt, eyes pinning me. "Hold still."

I don't move.

I can feel the salt on my skin and in the next moment, his hot mouth sucks and devours the spot. My heart is pounding, the heat pooling in my girl parts. His hand squeezes my waist as his lips suck one last time before he raises his head. A grin spreading across his mouth as he takes the shot.

"Delicious," he says with a wink, slamming the shot down.

I feel like he just did something he should not have.

"I wonder if Louis would have done that?" his eyes flicker to my breasts, probably seeing how turned on I am.

My face reddens. "He might," I breathe. "You underestimate him."

He laughs and says something under his breath. I can see his jaw flexing as he looks back to me."I want to see what you are wearing under your prudish clothing. Will you show me?" He asks and tilts his head.

Damn.

Jules is going in for the kill.

My eyes flicker to his groin, and I feel my face heat. He has quite the impressive bulge, his dark pants fitting him snugly. I look up at him, heart pounding. "The answer is no. But I will tell you that it is transparent."

I can play his game.

"Transparent? Prove it, Dove," he says in a husky voice.

"Maybe Louis will get to see it," I smile at him.

He looks down then back up to me, his expression is dark. "Play nice Charlie, I should hate for something to happen to you."

Jules turns and leaves without a second glance.

Did he just threaten me?

"Sugar, you're on his hit list," Dolly says beside me. "But damn that boy is fine."

I shiver.

I'm in trouble.