Page 10 of Vampire Soldier
That seems to crack the indomitable visage of his, as the side of his mouth twitches up like he’s trying not to smile.
“A necessary precaution for working primarily with humans here in Topside.” His words ring with amused honesty. “Which brings me back to you.”
Right. I straighten my back, readying myself to answer any question he may lob at me.
He taps his forefinger where it rests on the arm of his chair, watching me. I wish he’d take off the contacts. I miss the brilliant gold. Wait, what? I mentally shake the thoughts out. He could be my future boss, for goodness’ sake. I can’t be standing here, ogling him like we’re in one of my bedtime fantasies.
“Unfortunately, Ms. Taylor, I cannot hire you.”
ChapterFive
MALACHI
“Excuse me?”
Christ, she still looks as adorable as I first thought. She’s staring at me as if I’m speaking a different language. In the lighting of my office, her lilac hair is more purple, the small finger waves framing her face. It gives her a halo of sweetness. Would her blood be as sweet as her?
Fuck, this is exactly why I can’t hire her.
“Why not?” Blake continues, stepping closer to my desk, her eyes sparking with indignation. “Is it seriously because I forgot to give you back your license after you dropped me off at my place?”
Her heart rate is quickening, a siren’s temptation. When was the last time I fed? Fed properly, not just from one of the donated bags from screened volunteers. Too fucking long ago, if the way my fangs are prickling and my mouth is watering.
“Of course not.” I dismiss her question. My gaze drops to her lips, pursed ever so slightly. My cock leaps as the memory of how soft they were against mine returns. I break away, clearing my throat and sitting upright to straighten the already tidy folders on my desk.
“However, I make it a personal policy to never work with someone I’ve had a personal...” I trail off, struggling to find the right word. “Assignation with.”
When Blake doesn’t respond, I look up at her. She’s staring at me incredulously, as if I’ve grown a second head. Her expression becomes shuttered and unease pricks at the base of my spine.
“So, you don’t find anything lacking in my work history or my audition performance?”
What’s she planning? I study her, seeing her in an opponent’s light. I know better than to answer that directly. If I say yes, then she could have grounds to bring a lawsuit against me. I retrieve her application’s file, flipping it open on top of my closed laptop. I make a show of glancing over it before relaxing back into my chair.
“While your performance was one of the better ones, your résumé is limited in experience compared to other candidates. Factoring in that we’ve—well, I’ll be blunt—that we made out in a car not even three days ago, I question the validity in the interest now that I’m aware of your interest in this position. Why else wouldn’t you tell me your name?”
I’m such a fucking asshole. I know she didn’t set herself up to be rescued. Once the words have left me, though, a seed of genuine doubt is planted. She’d hesitated when I’d handed her my license while introducing myself. I may be a vampire, but we have businesses that require an online presence. A simple search of my name would link me to this business. It wouldn’t be the first time a human woman has shown interest in me for her personal gain. It’s not even the first time a woman has wanted to use me for something.
“You cannot be serious.” Blake’s tone has gone from professional to cold disgust. Her cheeks are pink with the anger my vampiric sense of smell picks up. “You can’t be suggesting I knew who you were and just thought”—she throws her hands up in the air and changes her tone—“I should totally make out with this stranger I just met because maybe I’ll get the job I first interviewed for weeks ago and was passed over for.!”
She drops her hands, leveling me with a glare on par with one of Ambrose’s. The intensity of her anger is enough to know she hadn’t. If I concede to her, though, I will have one less official reason to hire her.
So, to protect us both, I play the card that Blake won’t—shouldn’t—forgive me for.
Lifting a shoulder in a shrug, I use two fingers to flip her file closed to conclude the conversation. “I would expect that someone who has worked at a strip club for over ten years wouldn’t hesitate to use her beauty and body to secure a job.”
I want to take it back immediately. Blake’s lips part as she steps back, as if I’ve physically struck her. I knew saying that would hurt her, but I don’t expect how much it hurts me to see the pain in her eyes. My chest physically aches and I grip the armrests to keep me from going to her and swearing I didn’t mean it.
She swallows hard enough I can hear it. Her scent of acidic anger turns into hurt and I can’t look at her anymore. I glare at the half-empty tallboy of whiskey, like it’s the reason I’m in this damn mess.
“Well. Then.” Her voice wobbles on the second word and it tears my gaze to her. She’s got the grace of a queen. Looking at me with a pleasant, practiced smile even while the wetness in her eyes is like blades to the gut. “It is clear that this position, unfortunately, will not be a good fit for either of us. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Blake turns, hurrying over to the chair to pick up her fans and escape. I watch her, hating myself for hurting her. She doesn’t look back as she reaches the door.
I’m moving before I know it. My chair hits the wall at the same time I press my hand flat against the office door before she can open it. She squeaks, surprised, but doesn’t let go of the doorknob or turn around. I lower my head, trying not to drink in her floral and tart scent. To not move my hands to her body and taste her skin the way I wanted to that night.
She barely comes up to my chest and I know I’m crowding her, but I can’t bring myself to step back yet. My knuckles go white from how hard I’m pressing against the door, not letting myself give in to my every urge. The best I can do is keep her from feeling how hard she makes me.
“Malachi?”
