Page 30 of Deadly Cravings
“What did he mean, Asher?” I rasped, straightening on my feet. A dull throb pierced my ankle. “Whose clothing is this?”
“Nothing for you to worry about, Pet.” His smile was stiff as he ran his hands down my arms.
I frowned, studying his expression as I shimmied the dress down another inch. “I don’t think it’s too much of a hassle to get my questions answered since one of you will end up offing me.”
His eyebrows raised. “We never mentioned killing you.”
“You all think very little of human intelligence for creatures that used to be one.”
“I believe we’ve underestimated you.” His lips quirked. “You do not let your fear cloud you.”
“So please, give me the grace of answering my questions.” I had nothing left to lose in facing him like this, but the way he looked at me, aware and intrigued, gave me the impression that I surprised him.
He hummed. “A woman we used to share... She was the one that brought all of us together.”
My stomach soured and I squeezed the material.
This belonged to that person. It suddenly felt so wrong wearing it. I yanked the dress off my body before stepping out of it. Lifting it, I handed it to Asher with my arm pressed over my bra covered breasts.
They used tosharesomeone?
“You used to share one woman?” I was simultaneously fascinated and envious.
“Yes.” His smile slipped and became blank. I had no idea what caused his shift but I had a damn good guess. Had he loved her? That uncomfortable tightening started up at my chest and I forced my attention to dressing myself.
“Where is she?” I tacked on, trying to be as nonchalant as possible.
“Dead, Pet.”
There was still tension in my throat, but I valiantly tried to shove it off.
“I-I’m sorry.” My apology tilted up at the end as if it were a question.
“It’s not a problem, for me at least.” His smile widened. I didn’t have time to nitpick at those words because he continued. “It looks like I can’t take you today, but I express-ordered you a few outfits. They should be here tomorrow.”
“Ah, okay.” My voice sounded pitifully small. Asher stared into the distance, his gaze unfocused. I rushed to finish dressing while he was distracted. “How did she die?”
The corners of his lips twitched, and he turned his attention fully on me.
“You fret too much about matters that don’t concern you, Pet.” Asher lifted a finger to my lips. The featuring touch fluttered through my chest and I swallowed hard.
The recollection of his teeth sinking into me shot flutters through my belly and I cleared my throat and dropped onto the couch.
My teeth clicked together. No more shaming myself.
“We’ll continue this another day, Pet.”
I couldn’t help but feel disappointment, it was because of the dead vampire—I was sure of it.
Tobias entered. “Already done?”
“Yes, tell her the plan.” He looked to the frowning English vamp.
Asher paused at the entrance as Tobias settled on the cushion beside me. His eyes flashed, but whatever was there quickly disappeared. Looked like I could clear a room quickly. I swallowed the bitterness growing in my throat.
I lifted my gaze to meet Tobias’s. The corner of his eyes wrinkled, and his throat bobbed. I frowned at the tension lining his face and he squeezed his eyes closed. He expelled a slow sigh.
The harsh set of his lips indicated pain. Ending up closer to him on the couch, I grazed my fingertips across his cheek. His eyes flashed open and he jerked away from my touch. I clenched my lifted hand and stared at it in astonishment. Touching them so openly and thoughtlessly wasn’t like me. A sickness bloomed inside me and caused me to behave this way. That could be the only explanation.