Phoenix Fallen by Heather R. Blair Page B

the back of her neck, highlighting that elegant throat. Whispers of flame kissing silky pale skin. Jules swallowed, hunger flaring in him so fiercely he heard the blonde kneeling on the bar suppress a whimper as she swayed toward him in response.
    He stepped back, facing Rissa, his head cocked as he waved a hand, encompassing the whole mad cavern.
    "You call this tasteful?"
    "You prefer the woods?"
    Jules gave her a dour look and Rissa laughed, throwing her head back. That throaty trill made shivers dance down his spine.
    "This is the outer reaches, you might say. For the lookie-loos and those who like a faster scene. You and I are headed deeper. Normally you'd need sanget to go where we are headed, but you're with me." She smiled at him.
    Sanget. Huh. An ancient vamp currency Jules had never even seen. Very posh then and…
    Deeper. He wondered what that would mean.
    At Jules' questioning glance, she put a hand on his arm. Only then did he realize she was wearing gloves. Fingerless, black lace gloves. Her nails were painted a wine-red that stood out like blood against her alabaster skin. He got a vivid image of those slender fingers wrapped around his cock; a soft but firm grip, the rasp of the lace…
    He shook his head hard to dispel the vision, but the tension in his groin wouldn't dissipate quite so easily. Irritated with himself, Jules turned from the bar only to catch the flash of a familiar face across the room.
    Jesus, what the hell was Mags doing here?
    The para caught his eye and rippled her fingers at him slyly before her gaze drifted to Rissa and her eyebrows shot up.
    Fuck.
    Magdalena Foley was a telepath that had been employed at Phoenix for several years. He'd known her since she was a teenager. She was a pain in the ass, but she was also a friend. And there was absolutely no reason that he could think of for her to be at some vamp bleeder club.
    He gave her a suspicious frown, but she only raised her delicate eyebrows and toasted him with her drink.
    Mags looked like a modern-day Celtic princess, skin that had that subtle porcelain glow blushed with pink, hair black as a starless night and eyes of cerulean blue.
    “My god, she’s gorgeous.” This from Rissa, who had obviously noted their silent exchange.
    Jules shook his head. “No, what she is, is hell on wheels. Don’t let those angelic looks fool you. That girl has more power in her pinky finger than half the staff at Phoenix combined.” He gave Mags a short nod, letting her know they were going to discuss this later. Her lips curved even more before she nodded back, then turned away, disappearing into the crowd.
    “Who is she?”
    “A co-worker.” Jules dismissed Mags and turned back to Rissa. He was surprised to see her eyeing him narrowly.
    “And a friend.” The remark wasn’t a question.
    His eyebrows raised as he noticed a tiny tic in Rissa’s jaw. Oh …no way. He tried hard to hide the smile that wanted to come. This might be fun if he played it right.
    “You could say that.” He made his tone deliberately evasive.
    She tossed her bright head and moved off through the crowd. He followed at her heels, smirking at her backside. Her sweet, curvy backside that twitched back and forth with every quick, irritated step.
    “You’re jealous.”
    She stopped at his words.
    “Am I?” Her voice was cool, but he could see the flush working up her throat when he came alongside her. He chuckled and leaned over to breathe in her ear.
    “Yup. You are.”
    “Mmm, I think you mean curious.”
    “Nope. I mean, jealous. As is the green-eyed monster. Admit it, Rissa.”
    She gave him a side-long gaze. “My eyes are blue, see? Not a hint of green. Besides, I seem to remember you saying weren’t interested in me. So, what I think or don’t think about your pretty little co-worker should be irrelevant.”
    Now it was Jules’ turn to get hot under the collar. Not interested? She didn't mean that. Of course, he had said…
    He grabbed her arm as she