Free Vampire's Companion by Jory Strong Page B

shoulders.
    The woman stepped out of the doorway. “I’m Sonya, by the way. Can I offer you a drink?”
    “I’d love one,” he said.
    “No thanks,” Cia answered, as if the offer had included her.
    Sonya snorted, the sound of it dismissive.
    The skin on the back of Cia’s neck sizzled then went cold when thin streaks of green outlined Sonya. She blinked, shook her head slightly, heartbeat pounding harder and harder when the color lingered.
    For no reason that she could discern, it disappeared when they reached a TV room with a bar along one wall.
    Sonya lifted a glass containing ice cubes and an inch of amber liquid from the coffee table. Eyes never leaving Israel’s face, she waved toward the bar. “Help yourself to anything I have.”
    Really? Why not just strip and pounce on him?
    But at least the hazy color didn’t return.
    Israel went to the bar, going around it, exploring, putting several bottles on the polished wood along with a tumbler. He fixed himself a drink, his movements smooth, confident. The lighting in that area caressed long waves of black hair, catching on the onyx studs in his ears so her eyes dipped to his nipples.
    Her mind stripped him out of the tank and sprawled him across Terach’s bed. Lifted his hand so masculine fingers tugged on the nipple bar in invitation.
    Her mouth watered. She wanted him.
    There, she’d admitted it to herself. Not that she’d been able to pull off denial very well.
    “Sure you don’t want a drink, Cia?” he asked.
    Was that a hint of triumph in his voice?
    Her lips thinned. His smile spread at having gotten under her skin.
    Last time it’s happening.
    He directed his attention at Sonya. “Refresh you?”
    “Definitely.” She handed him the empty glass, her fingers brushing his.
    He made the drink.
    Either he recognized what she was having or she was willing to take whatever he gave her. Cia was betting on the second.
    He offered Sonya the glass rather than set it on the bar, not pulling away when she extended the contact well beyond what was necessary.
    “We’re helping a private detective friend,” he said.
    “Let me guess, you’re looking for Kadence.”
    Sour expression. Sour voice.
    Israel lounged against the bar, the epitome of sexy bartender to Terach’s gorgeous bouncer. “Do you know where Kadence might be?”
    “No, and frankly I don’t care. Donna blew things all out of proportion. Did you know she went to the school and talked to the principal and guidance counselors? She told them that the girls had been caught drinking in my house. Like I need more grief piled on.”
    “No. I didn’t know.” Sympathy oozed from his voice. Cia envisioned a tip jar filling up.
    “Well she did.” Sonya took a big swallow of her drink. “I didn’t appreciate the implication that somehow I’m responsible for Kadence, or that my daughter is. Kids experiment.”
    Israel’s laugh was the husky promise of sex and bad-boy mischief. “They certainly do.”
    Sonya leaned in, probably regretting the top didn’t allow for more cleavage or the peek-a-boo of nipples.
    “So you knew they got into the booze?” he asked.
    “It didn’t amount to much. And if once in a while it tipped into overdoing, I blame my soon-to-be ex. He walked out to shack up with a girl who’s not much older than his daughter.”
    “What’s the girlfriend’s name?”
    “Mindy.” Her voice went catty on the name.
    The haze of color returned, bitter green like an unripe apple.
    Cia clenched her fists, willing it away, wanting to turn away, but that went against her police training.
    Israel moved closer, inviting further confession. “Are they a couple, your daughter and Kadence?”
    Sonya laughed. “Why would you think that?”
    “Kadence has a lot of new, pretty things, including dresser drawers full of Victoria’s Secret. Donna said they’d come from Chloe.”
    “Donna is mistaken. My daughter is as materialistic as they come, thanks to her father.”
    Israel took a