Forever Immortal: Immortal Series, Book 4, page 1
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Forever Immortal
Immortal Series, Book 4
Copyright © J. K. Coi 2009
Cover art by Scott Carpenter
ISBN eBook: 978-1-60202-122-8
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Linden Bay electronic publication: June 2009
Forever Immortal
Book Four in the Immortal Series
J.K. Coi
Dedication
For Carlo. Always.
Chapter One
Lyssa Elora James had been stood up. After an hour perched on the most uncomfortable barstool known to man, cooling her heels, nursing a watered-down gin and tonic, she couldn’t ignore the truth any longer.
Pulling her cell from the slim black purse, she flipped it open, looking down at the softly glowing screen. She knew exactly what time it was, but still felt a compulsive need to verify—for a third time—that she wasn’t early, Paul was unquestionably late. Again.
“That’s it,” she grumbled under her breath, stuffing the phone back in her bag. “That was your last chance, buddy.”
Swiveling her stool around to face the bar, Lyssa set down her empty glass. She slid a ten across the bar and smiled at the server. “Thanks for keeping me company all night, Ben.”
“A distinct pleasure, my dear. You just let me know where to find that loser of yours, and the deed is done.” He winked.
Lyssa smiled and shook her head. “No need. As of right this minute, I’m going to forget he even exists and move on.” A glance into the mirror on the wall had her spinning back to the crowd again. “Speaking of moving on... Whoa, now who is that?”
She searched the front entrance for the dark-haired hunk she’d glimpsed in the reflection. The front doors were being guarded by a burly bouncer who stood next to a much shorter, curvy hostess holding a clipboard and snapping bubbles between her lively chatter and flirting touches of the bouncer’s well-defined bicep.
Lyssa turned her gaze from the cozy pair to the lurid mob of men and women all crammed into the tiny club.
“He must have been on his way out,” she muttered to herself in disappointment, her hopes of salvaging the evening going up in smoke before they’d even fully formed. The man she’d seen—or thought she’d seen—didn’t belong in a place like this anyway, and that’s exactly why he had drawn her attention. He’d been hot—holy sweet sex on a cracker—which in itself wasn’t so extraordinary in LA, but contrary to every other person in the joint tonight, his look seemed uncontrived, dare she even say natural, with a focus and intensity that was seriously sexy.
Letting out a soft sigh, Lyssa lifted her head.
There he was.
Leaning against a doorframe at the other end of the crowded room. She pursed her lips together and swallowed hard, crossing her legs as heat immediately bloomed between her thighs.
She ogled him shamelessly, but thankfully he didn’t notice. Lyssa didn’t think she could lower her gaze even if he did. The man was too prime—no, primal. In stillness, he reminded her of a sleek, fierce cat just before it pounced on unsuspecting prey.
His attention focused elsewhere, Lyssa stole the opportunity to leisurely look her fill, taking in the contrast of his attire and his manner as opposed to the rest of the trendy crowd. Definitely a hunk, but not a pretty one—he mustn’t be from LA. Dressed in casual, worn jeans and a black leather jacket, he was a huge raven among a gaggle of clacking geese.
The leather biker jacket concealed the breadth of his shoulders, but it broke open in front, the white tee stretching nicely across drool-worthy pecs. Natural or chemically induced, she wondered.
Did it really matter? Her gaze continued to wander over his hard body, absorbing everything she could see and wondering about the rest. She wasn’t the only woman looking her fill, although surprisingly, he seemed mostly oblivious as he scanned the crowd.
The easy style of his dark hair accentuated the angular lines of his face and showed off his odd, glittering crystal eyes—a strange light color that was distinctive even from across the room. He had one shoulder propped against the doorframe. Casual, but as though he expected to have to leave at a moment’s notice.
Suddenly he turned, his gaze unerringly finding hers across the crowded bar as if he’d known all along that she had been watching him. Lyssa felt a telling warmth spread across her cheeks.
Surprised at her own daring, she continued to look instead of turning guiltily back to her empty glass. He nodded, a very slight inclination of his head, but it was enough that she knew without a doubt he had definitely noticed her noticing him. She experienced just what it was like to be on the receiving end of his hot stare as he boldly returned the same appraising perusal she had given him. A slow, sexy tug at the corner of his mouth acknowledged that he returned her admiration. His eyes glinted like liquid silver. The way they moved over her made Lyssa feel naked and hot.
Her pulse galloped. She wondered if her evening was going to end as badly as it had started after all. Sending him a small smile of her own, Lyssa did a half-swivel on her barstool. “Ben, get me another drink. I think I’m going to stay a little while longer.”
The bartender chuckled and glanced over at her stranger. “I figured as much. Do you want some water? You might need it with the way the two of you are setting the room on fire.”
“It is hot in here suddenly, isn’t it?” She grinned, turning back around. Would he approach her? After the day she’d had, did she even want him to?
Hell yes.
He hesitated for a moment, looking away from her and back out into the crowd, searching for something...someone? Damn.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
Oh well, it had been a nice thought—very nice—but now reality intruded. The last thing Lyssa wanted was to encourage a flirtation with a guy whose girlfriend was due to descend at any moment. No matter how hot he looked...or how hot he made her feel.
Having decided that he wasn’t going to come over, she gave a little sigh of relief...until his gaze turned to her once more, and he pushed off from his place along the wall.
As the stranger advanced, those long legs ate up the space between them like the room was completely empty. His every movement smoothly controlled and deliberate. Although the bar was packed with people, he didn’t have to weave his way around the clusters and cliques loitering on the floor, or push anyone aside to get by, but incredibly, a path appeared before him, the throng of bodies parting as if compelled by the strength of his will.
Having been so entranced by her stranger, Lyssa jumped guiltily in her seat when a smooth, masculine voice beside her said, “Hello there, sweetness.”
No! Lyssa rolled her eyes and had to stop herself from uttering the swear words that came to her lips. Great, just what I need. She turned around, forcing her attention to the man that had sidled on up to her left shoulder.
He leaned in too close, ostensibly to make himself heard over the loud music. Lyssa was treated to a generous whiff of stale cigarette smoke combined with the whiskey that sat heavily on his breath. “The name’s Dan. Why don’t I get that drink for you?” He treated her to an appraising look that dipped down into the vee of her dress.
Taking in the slicked-back hair and metallic shimmer of his open-throated, disco-reject club shirt, Lyssa tried not to let her shudder of horror show on her face. This was exactly the type of guy she expected to find in a place like this, the kind who was still trying to make it to the big leagues and thought hanging out in trendy bars was the way to get there. A player in full trolling mode.
“I’m waiting for someone,” she answered shortly, and then felt ashamed of her curt response. “Look, I’m sorry, but I’m just waiting for my friend. I’m not looking for any extracurricular entertainment tonight.”
Liar.
Her words seemed to act as a challenge and his smile widened. “Baby, don’t be so hasty.” His voice was slippery and suggestive. Lyssa gritted her teeth together to keep from reverting back to her earlier rudeness.
“I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful you are,” he continued. “You have great bone structure and a killer figure. I just thought that if you were looking to get into the Business, I could help you out with that. I have some important connections, and maybe we could, you know...do each other a few...favors.”
Had he really just suggested what she thought he had? Lyssa stared at him, open-mouthed with shock. Tried desperately to keep a tight rein on her temper. It wouldn’t help her night if she caused a scene, although wiping that disgusting leer off of Danny-boy’s face with a loud slap would probably make her feel much better overall.
“Listen, don’t do me any favors.” Her voice had reverted back to sharp and rude, but she didn’t care anymore.
“No, really.” Dan seemed undaunted by Lyssa’s disinterest. “I watched you for a while. You’ve been sitting here all alone for at least an hour. Whoever you’re waiting for isn’t worth it. You better believe I would never have left a hot piece like you alone for five minutes in a joint like this.”
Geez, didn’t she attract the charmers. Lyssa groaned inwardly, her patience reaching the snapping point.
Urgh. She just could not catch a break today. This slime-ball was going to continue to play dense and pretend she wasn’t ten seconds away from clocking him. Meanwhile, her stranger would get scared off, thinking she was with this guy.
“Really, I’m not—”
“What’s your name, by the way? I was thinking we could get out of here and—”
“Hi, sweetheart.”
* * *
Gideon smiled as the redhead started in surprise and swung to face him with wide eyes. She had stunning green eyes. A sharp buzz of electricity ran between them, entrancing Gideon. Even while he’d made his way across the crowded room, he had been telling himself not to get involved. He was there to do a job, not pick up women. It hadn’t worked. There was something about her that drew him and he didn’t want to ignore it. Not tonight.
He put himself between her and the smarmy loser that he’d watched slide on up to her side. “Sorry I’m late.” He winked and leaned forward, pressing his mouth against the leaping pulse of her throat. Her eyes dropped closed and he felt her shiver. Knowing he was crossing a line, he opened his lips over her neck anyway, touching the tip of his tongue to her skin just to hear her soft gasp.
A world of sensation concentrated into one touch, everything else forgotten for a brief moment, including the music blaring around them, the room full of people, and one oily lounge lizard who was no doubt staring with his mouth hanging wide open.
“Uh, hi.”
Gideon hesitated at her neck for a second longer before pulling back and turning his attention to their gaping audience. He curled an arm behind her. Her body was warm beneath the thin silk of her dress as he splayed his fingers over her back, fighting the urge to step in closer still.
“So who’s this?” He narrowed his eyes at the lounge lizard. “A friend of yours?”
“This is, um...Dan. He offered to wait with me until you arrived.”
“Dan, I hope you’re not trying to pick up my girl.” Gideon noted with pleasure that the overconfident smile finally started to falter.
Apparently deciding not to waste any more time when he obviously wasn’t going to score, Slick made his apologies to them both for intruding on their evening and slithered away. The beauty breathed a sigh and turned to him with a smile. “Thanks. That was just about to get ugly.”
“It was no problem.”
“I’m Lyssa James.” She reached out. Closing his hand over hers, he rubbed his thumb gently across the slim curve of her wrist.
“Lyssa.” He said her name slowly, liking the way it rolled on his tongue. “Nice to meet you, Lyssa. I’m Gideon Bennett.”
“It’s nice to meet you too. You don’t come here often, do you?”
She pulled in the edge of her bottom lip, bit down, and Gideon couldn’t for the life of him remember what had brought him here to begin with. “No. Do you?” Great conversation skills you’ve got there, Gid. What are you going to do next, ask her about the weather?
“Uh, no. First time.” She winced and shook her head. “Geez, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was this dull until just now.”
Lyssa smiled as she un-crossed and re-crossed her legs. Gideon followed her movement, taking in the curve of her foot wrapped in delicate-heeled sandals, and the line of leg that disappeared beneath the hem of her dress at the knee.
“I wouldn’t have said you were dull.” His gaze roved up her body. From her slim waist to her hands, wrapped around a squared crystal goblet. He skimmed past her small but perky breasts. When he got to her face, he locked on her lips, fighting the urge to lean into her and lick them. She swallowed hard, and he liked the way the light in her eyes deepened. “No, not dull at all.”
“Well, that was a definite ogle.” Lyssa lifted her eyebrow and her drink, taking a long gulp. “I think I should probably be insulted right about now.” In contradiction to her words, she smiled, setting the half-empty glass down on the bar.
Gideon grinned back at her. “You should definitely be insulted. That was a dead-obvious ogle even by our new friend Dan’s standards, and I think my intentions are less than honorable, if you want to know the truth.”
“Hmm. In that case, would you like to have a drink with me?” Lyssa returned his smile with a sultry one of her own and Gideon’s cock stood at attention, knowing an invitation when he saw one. “Or better yet, let’s skip the drink altogether and get a cab.”
As much as he had been enjoying their banter, Gideon knew it was a bad idea. Frowning, he half-turned, scanning the crowded room. “I can’t, actually,” he said with a sigh of regret. “I’m kind of working right now.”
“Working?” She paused and Gideon held back a wince. He shouldn’t have said anything. He could see her brain turning over the possibilities. “Are you a cop?”
Gideon blinked. He hesitated before answering. “Not really, but kind of, yeah.”
Lyssa tilted her head, a decidedly curious expression that he found endearing. “Kind of, yeah? Hmm, so you’re undercover then? Is there something illegal going on in here? Is it drugs? It’s probably drugs, isn’t it? With this crowd I wouldn’t be surprised. Will you—”
“Whoa,” he stopped her, chuckling. “Take it easy, sweet. If I were undercover, you’d have blown the whole deal for me right there.”
“Oh no. You’re right. I’m sorry.” She put a hand to her mouth in dismay, then dropped it back to her lap and narrowed her eyes. “Wait a minute, does that mean you aren’t undercover?”
“No, I’m not. I’m just looking for someone. I got a tip he’d be here tonight, but so far I haven’t seen him.”
“Good. Well...I mean, not good that you haven’t found him, but...that you’re not...that I didn’t, you know, blow your cover or anything.”
“You didn’t,” he assured her.
“Good. You know, this place is pretty busy tonight. It would be hard to spot anyone in the crowd.”
He finally gave in to the urge and leaned closer as he breathed the words against the side of her neck. “I spotted you.” Just like that, the heat in the room jacked up to a thousand degrees. His pulse matched hers, thumping hard and fast. He pushed his hip against her outer thigh.
“Um.” Turning her head, her lips grazed his earlobe as she spoke. “And I spotted you.”
Lyssa put her hand under the heavy leather of his jacket and let it rest lightly on his waist. She took his ear between her teeth and gently bit down, then soothed the spot with her tongue. Gideon held in his groan...just barely.
He leaned back just far enough to gaze into those brilliant green eyes. “So why are you here alone?”
She grumbled in response. “I was supposed to meet a friend, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to make it.”
“He?”
“Of course.” She grinned. “However, his loss...”
“Is my gain.”
Lyssa nodded. “Before you showed up, I was just about to throw in the towel and make my way home.”
“That’s probably a good idea. You shouldn’t be out alone at night, especially in a cesspool like this place.”
Lyssa cocked her eyebrow. “Oh, and why is that? Maybe I’ll get hit on by complete strangers who will want to kiss my neck?”
Gideon chuckled and raised a palm in defense, “Okay, okay, that was appallingly chauvinistic, I admit it. But still true. You should be wary of strangers. There are dangers in this world that you couldn’t possibly defend yourself against.”
Lyssa looked at him as if he’d spoken a different language, which he supposed was true. It was an odd thing to say in this day and age. Too bad he knew the warning was all too necessary.
Lyssa’s ringing cell phone jerked Gideon back to his senses, making him belatedly aware of the chilling shift of energy in the air.
“Sorry, this is the friend I was supposed to be meeting. I should give him hell.” Lyssa sent him an apologetic smile before turning her back slightly for a semblance of privacy. Gideon became furious with himself for succumbing to distraction. While he was fooling around, evil had walked through the doors. He felt it now, his Immortal senses picking up on Damien’s presence.
