C2 Avery

“A golden martini for the lady, straight-up this time.” Malcolm’s bass voice sent heat coiling in my belly.

It was like dark chocolate wrapped around a delicious candy center. He was dangerous.

“You must try this one.” He gave me a lazy smile. “House special that only our favorite clientele are offered.”

The bartender set a glass in front of me filled with a golden, glittery liquid. I’d never seen anything like it before. I needed a sample of this Fae roofie for Maggie to do a complete analysis on. Drinking it was out of the question as I didn’t know what it would do exactly, and my saliva would mess up the readings.

Malcolm’s laugh drew me back to him along with his hand, fiddling with the hem of my dress and making it hard to breathe.

“Never seen a woman refuse a free drink from me before.”

I shrugged a shoulder, pushing off his hand from my leg. “I’m not most women.”

“I’m beginning to see that.” He leaned back, taking a long sip from his beer and reminding me again how much I wanted those hands on me, on my neck, everywhere.

Don’t get attached. Don’t get swooped under his spell.

“So what’s this made of?” I swirled the glimmering liquid in the glass, smelling a hint fruit and something like vanilla. “Ambrosia? Idun’s Golden Apples?”

“Not exactly, though you’re a fan of mythology?” He quirked a dark eyebrow.

“Some.” I set the glass down, casually drawing my purse closer while unclasping the lock.

His sapphire eyes snapped to the movement. I didn’t need him suspecting I’d smuggle his specialty drink out or that I was here to kill him.

“You know, you’re right.” I slip my hand from my purse to rub the side of my neck, pushing back my chestnut hair. “I’d enjoy the martini and your company in a more private setting.”

For a second, he narrowed his eyes like he tried to read me. He backs out now and I’m screwed. This had to be tonight. I wouldn’t get another chance like this to be this close to him alone and find out what was in this drink. Killing Fae, especially one this strong, was better when they’re distracted. Like when kissing, which I gritted my teeth and did for only the sexy ones who were too cunning and dangerous for an all-out fight.

Sneaky?

Of course, but I didn’t have any other choice. They outmatched me strength-wise, and it wasn't often I could get an advantage over them. The viler ones who looked like nightmares were easier. I could ambush those well enough. Fae like Malcolm who looked human were clever and much more dangerous. I always used whatever advantages I could to tip the scale in my favor even if that meant compromising my morals.

My body involuntarily shivered from an image of Malcolm’s hands on me. God, me reacting this way from a mere thought wasn’t good. What would happen if he kissed me or I let him touch me in order to get close enough to kill him?

“Shall we?” He held out his hand.

Ignoring my own wariness, I slipped mine inside his.

A tingle spread up my arm. I tucked my purse under my arm, then grabbed the martini. Needed to distract him long enough to get a sample. For now, this took priority over killing him. This could tell us what had happened to the women who disappeared in the city. And if we found them alive, an antidote to whatever this sick Fae had planned. Though Malcolm would expect it to work shortly after I drank it.

He guided me through the bar to a private patio outback. Flowers dotted the wire screens and a small fountain with two lovers embracing stood in the middle of the miniature garden. We followed the stoned-trail path to the lush marble fixture. The water carried the scent of jasmine and oranges.

“Amazing.” I swallowed, setting down my purse beside me on the marble ledge. “This is beautiful.”

“Took me years to get the plants to grow.” He nodded to a rose bush in the corner. “Everything would die as soon as I left for business. I’d return to a decayed mess.”

“How did you fix it?” I brought the martini glass to my lips, forgetting for a second not to take a chance that this wouldn’t make me forget all my inhibitions.

“Tinder.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Surely I heard him wrong. Why would he use tinder and burn this place? Then again, why did the Fae do anything?

“You’ll see.” Malcolm let out a low whistle.

When a bell jingled nearby, I tensed. My hand moved to my hip where I had the iron and silver twined knife.

A black cat leapt into Malcolm's arms, purring so loudly I heard him from where I stood.

“This little guy saved the garden.” Malcolm rubbed his head. “Something about the magic of Tinder keeps the plants alive. I can’t explain it, but you can see for yourself how the garden is thriving, and I’ve been in New York for over a week.”

Unable to help myself, I set my glass down and strode closer, brushing Tinder’s dark fur. His purr vibrated against my palm. I didn’t think the cat was Fae, but there was something special about him.

The cat jumped onto the ground and I was so close to Malcolm his breath of mint and liquor enveloped me. When I moved to step back, his hand snatched on my forearm, stopping me.

My mind screamed to go for another knife, but my body froze again by his dark blue eyes like I had been inside the bar. I inhaled a hiss and tried to break the trance. My gaze shifting from his eyes to his luscious full lips.

Bad, bad mistake. Now I couldn’t stop thinking about him kissing me and feeling those lips on every part of my body.

His fingers pressed into my skin as he drew me nearer.

“What kind of game are you playing?” he asked in a growling tone.

Shit, that isn’t good. What had given me away? I had to remedy this fast. I placed my free hand on his chest, thrilled his heartbeat pulsed against my fingers through his thin shirt. I tilted my head up with a coy smile.

“Why don’t you find out?”