Free Redeeming the Night by Kristine Overbrook

myself if I hadn’t done that,” he said, his lips inches from hers.
    Her body reacted. Heat. Her face felt hot, and something seemed to ignite inside her. Things awakened; every nerve felt alive for the first time. Incredible. Intriguing. Infuriating. Damn him.
    Still gripping his hand she twisted, swept her right leg behind his, and stepped closer, tripping him backwards onto the floor. She released his hand and pointed a finger in his face while placing one high-heeled shoe on his crotch.
    “You didn’t have permission to do that.” The venom behind her words was lost when she realized he was still smiling.
    “You have beautiful legs.”
    Though this man confused her, she maintained her hard expression. “This is a warning.” He didn’t fear her, but he didn’t want to possess her, either. Every way she knew to control the situation was gone.
    “Yes, of course.” He remained on the floor, propped on his elbows as if it were the most comfortable speaking position in the world. “I would like to see you again. Maybe when you’re not out with your
sister
… ” He curled his fingers in air quotes around the word “sister.”
    “Perhaps you will. You said you’ve done so already.” She removed her foot and stalked off to find Nichole.
    And found her deep in conversation with a waitress. “Are you ready to go?” Ashley asked.
    “Yeah, sure.” Nichole looked from Ashley back to the waitress. “Thanks for the information.” She handed the woman a twenty.
    Once outside in the night air they both spoke at once.
    “So how’d it go?”
    “Why’d you pay her?”
    Giggling a little, Nichole answered first. “The waitress was talking to a bartender and bouncer about a guy that comes in every Tuesday and harasses her.” They climbed into their car. “Big tipper, but he’s getting annoying, and she feels uncomfortable now.”
    “So you bought his description?” Amateur mistake. “You didn’t need to pay her. You just come back on Tuesday and look for him.”
    “I didn’t know what he looked like.”
    Ashley pulled out of the lot and silently called to the universe for patience. “You can see his aura. If he’s prey, you’d be able to pick him out of the crowd, even if he were dressed as a woman or hiding in a box.”
    “Right.” Nichole sounded like she was pouting, but Ashley refused to look.
    “I’m trying to help you,” Ashley said with an even tone.
    “But there were no ripe ones there.”
    “The night is still young.” They pulled into the parking lot of another club. Ashley undid her belt and was out of the car before she realized Nichole hadn’t moved.
    “What are you waiting for?” She ducked her head to see into the car.
    “How did it go?” Nichole asked.
    “How’d what go?”
    “The talk with your new disciple. He seemed to want to worship you.”
    Ashley chuckled and closed the car door. If Nichole wanted an answer she’d have to get out too. It worked.
    “Well?” Nichole asked, slamming the car door.
    “Nothing special.”
    “He kissed you.” They walked across the parking lot.
    “Yes, and now he knows better.” She fought to stay irritated, but the remaining warmth of the kiss and the memory of Eric grinning up at her from the floor made it a losing battle.
    “Did you like it?” Nichole rubbed her hands together. “Did he ask you on a date?”
    “Who do you think we are?” Ashley snapped. “We don’t date; we no longer
need
men.” Best that she remember that, as well. “I was curious as to what he wanted. That’s all.” Ashley decided then that the best way to battle the memory was to ignore it altogether. “We have a purpose tonight.”
    “I know.” Nichole rubbed her hands together again. “All right, let’s go find some scum.”
    After a few moments in this club, they located several ripe men. But one, in a large cowboy hat and with a wrestler’s build, positioned against a wall near one of the side bars, stood out most.
    They kept their