The Scent (The Bryn and Sinjin Series Book 2) (16 page)

“Good,” I answered, without bothering to look up at him. I figured no eye contact was the way to go; I didn’t want to encourage him or anyone else, for that matter.

Pushing through the double doors of The Bar, I was quickly engulfed by thick cigarette smoke. The twang of country music filled the small place, which couldn’t have been more than twenty feet long by fourteen feet wide. The bar made up the majority of the room along with four small wooden tables, each of them occupied.

I immediately scanned the corners for Sinjin as I made my way farther into the bar. Not seeing him right away, I strode up to the bar and tried to ignore how every man’s attention was suddenly centered on me. Swallowing down the gulp of anger that accompanied my thought, I forced myself to concentrate on my mission.

No one is going to touch you, Bryn,
I resolved.
You have your magic to protect you.

“What’ll it be?” the bartender asked me. His mouth didn’t move from beneath his handlebar moustache. He had red hair that matched his ruddy complexion. A round face and an even rounder body, he resembled a toad—bloated with bumpy skin.

“Where’s your restroom?” I asked, thinking that maybe Sinjin preferred a little more privacy than what was afforded him in the crowded and rowdy room.

“At the back; go through the door and make a right,” the bartender answered.

I nodded my thanks and headed toward the rear of the bar as I wondered where the hell Sinjin could be. The image of him kissing a random woman dropped into my head like a bomb. I had to beat the visual away as jealousy started to writhe within me. Then I was flooded with anger over feeling jealous in the first place. There was no reason for me to be experiencing the feelings I currently was because I’d promised myself that I would never be subjected to another man ever again. But somehow I couldn’t shake the feeling.

I reached the rear of the establishment and opened the door. It led to a long hallway. Crudely painted on the wall was the word “Men” with an arrow pointing to the left, and the word “Ladies” with an arrow pointing to the right. Since Sinjin claimed he only fed on women, I quickly took a right and started down the corridor. Coming to another door, I pushed against it and found myself in a small, dank bathroom with two stalls. One of them was free, but the other one was definitely occupied.

“Honey, you are the besht lookin’ man I have eva sheen,” chimed a woman. Her Southern drawl might have been more fetching if I hadn’t known exactly whom she was talking to.

“Flattery will get you everywhere with me, my dear,” Sinjin replied with a deep chuckle. Seconds later, his laughter died only to be replaced by the sounds of heavy breathing and feminine moans.

I suddenly felt frozen in place—my feet wouldn’t shift, and I couldn’t move. I just stood there, my stomach plummeting to my toes. I felt like I was going to throw up. My hands grew clammy as bullets of sweat broke out across my forehead.

What are they doing in there?
I wondered, even though I obviously didn’t have an answer.
If Sinjin drinks her blood, does that mean they’re going to have sex too?

Probably,
my other voice responded.
Sinjin seems about as lustful as they come; why wouldn’t he take more than just her blood?

That thought preceded a heavy veil of anger, which soon overcame me. My hands started to fist at my sides and I could feel my cheeks growing hotter. There was no way in hell I could just stand there and allow Sinjin to violate a woman who wasn’t in her right frame of mind. Not after everything I’d been through, and all the pain and anger I’d suffered.

And just like that, my immobile feet freed themselves from the tar pits of my mind. I went on autopilot and shot forward. I gripped the handle to the stall and threw it open. Sinjin turned around to face me, obviously taken by surprise. The woman eyed me too, but there wasn’t any expression of surprise on her face. Instead, she looked indignant, even angry. But I couldn’t really say I was concerned.

“Bête Noire,” Sinjin chuckled, seemingly not in the least bit irritated by my rude interruption. “How nice to see you again, although your timing could have been improved upon.”

“Get away from her,” I warned him, nearly seething. My chest rose and fell with my rapid breathing as my heart hammered away intensely.

“Go find jer own man,” the woman railed, slurring each of her words in a way that meant she had to be very inebriated. “Thish one’sh already taken.”

“You heard the lady,” Sinjin retorted with a smirk.

“I’m not playing games,” I stated, my voice frosty. “I won’t let you force yourself on her.”

“Force myself on her?” Sinjin repeated with a mocking laugh. He glanced at the woman who was now clinging to him as if she were drowning in the sea and he was her life buoy. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Honey, he ain’t forshin’ himshelf on nobody!” the woman prated. She had a difficult enough time trying to focus on me, so I figured she had no idea what she was talking about. In fact, she probably had no idea where she even was.

“You know what I mean, Sinjin,” I fumed. “Let her go now, and then, you and I are going to have a little conversation about this.”

“We have nothing to discuss,” Sinjin said as he stood up straight and pushed the woman’s arms away from him. She immediately started to pout, but I doubted Sinjin even noticed since his eyes were riveted on me. “You knew the reason we stopped here.”

“Yes,” I agreed since I couldn’t argue that point. “But that doesn’t make it right.”

Sinjin chuckled again. “If you intend to try to convince me of the advantages in becoming a vegetarian, I am afraid your idealism will be in vain.”

“I don’t intend to try to convince you of anything,” I replied, glaring at him all the while. “What
I
am saying is that I will not allow you to exploit someone who can’t think properly given her …” My voice trailed off as I noticed the woman had passed out in the corner of the stall. Her head rested on the top of the toilet, but somehow, she’d managed to wedge her body between the toilet and the stall door. “It looks like dinner might be delayed, since it just passed out.”

Sinjin glanced back at her with little interest. “So it appears.” Then he faced me again. “If anything, that simply makes dining etiquette unnecessary.”

I vigorously shook my head. “I refuse to allow you to touch her!” Crossing my arms on my chest, I stood with my feet shoulder-width apart and hoped I wouldn’t have to fight him. It wouldn’t have been much of a fight—Sinjin was infinitely stronger than I was. But, either way, I wasn’t going to allow him to take anything from this woman—neither her blood nor her pride.

“You do realize, pet,” Sinjin started as he took a few steps toward me, “that this woman practically seduced me as soon as she saw me?”

“I don’t care,” I answered, refusing to let his words evoke any sort of reaction from me. I remained steadfast in my decision. “She isn’t in the proper frame of mind to make any decisions.”

“So, you intend to make them for her?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “I intend to.”

“And what of me, then?” Sinjin asked as he took another few steps closer, smiling all the while. “If the hunter is forbidden to hunt, what becomes of him?”

“I don’t care,” I replied, unmoved.

“He dies,” Sinjin answered immediately. “Would you allow me to starve to death?”

“You’re already dead.”

He cocked his head to the side as if he were actually pondering that fact before shaking it. “I am not as dead as you prefer to believe,” he finished. He swiftly closed the gap between us until maybe only three inches of air separated our bodies.

“Luce attempted to invade my thoughts,” I said, deciding to change tactics because the first one obviously wasn’t working. “And I don’t know if I managed to keep him out.”

“And why should that little tidbit worry me?”

“Because!” I yelled anxiously. “Because he could be on his way here right now!”

Sinjin yawned with deliberate purpose. “If that is the only information you wish to convey, you may be on your way now,” he said. Glancing down at the woman, who was now snoring despite her uncomfortable position, Sinjin added, “I fear my dinner is getting rather cold.”

“I meant what I said,” I persisted, my lips tight. “I won’t allow you to feed off her.”

“Then what can you offer in her place?” he demanded. “Your own neck, perhaps?”

Swallowing hard, I considered the question. “Yes,” I answered after a few seconds as I remembered the sound the woman made as Sinjin did whatever it was he was doing to her.

THIRTEEN

Sinjin leaned down and looped his arms around the woman. She was still snoring despite appearing completely uncomfortable. He pulled her up, freeing her from the wall and the toilet. Then he carried her out of the stall into the main restroom, lifting her as if she were as light as a feather. It was just proof of his incredible strength because she was a tall woman and rather stout. If I had to guess, I’d say she weighed more than one hundred seventy pounds. But Sinjin made it look like she weighed no more than five pounds.

I watched him gently place her on the floor of the restroom, carefully resting her head and back against the wall. He checked her pulse as well as her respiration before smiling at her still-sleeping form.

“I do hope you have pleasant dreams of raven-haired men with very long … fangs,” he semi-whispered to her before turning back to me with a self-satisfied grin.

“Really?” I replied, shaking my head to avoid showing him any encouragement. Sinjin’s ego already exceeded all bounds.

Since it appeared we were finished in the bathroom, I started to walk out of the stall. But Sinjin quickly caught up to me and planted a hand on my right shoulder before pushing me back into the narrow stall. Once again ensconced in the small area, Sinjin reached over and slid the latch on the door so it was locked.

“Do we really have to stay in here?” I asked wearily as I glanced down at the toilet and then back at him with a frown. “It’s not exactly inviting.”

“Privacy, pet, privacy.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled. “Let’s just get it over with.”

“I am pleased that you have not changed your mind.”

Sighing, I didn’t say anything more and neither did Sinjin. After eyeing me for a few seconds, his expression became one of tempered hope. The seconds ticked by, and so did the silence, neither of us saying anything. Instead, we just stood there, facing one another, with only a few inches of air to separate us.

I wasn’t sure if it was due to our close proximity, or the realization of what I was about to put myself through, but my heart suddenly started to pound faster. Sinjin smiled down at me, and his countenance was surprisingly one of understanding and encouragement. Seeing his expression, I knew he was aware of exactly how nervous I was. Even if he couldn’t hear my heart’s rapid beating, he would have sensed my anxiety simply by my panting.

“I trust you will allow me to anesthetize you?” Sinjin asked finally, breaking the silence between us. His voice came out more as a whisper, which did nothing to allay my nerves.

“If by that, you mean, will I let you bewitch me before you bite me,” I started, challenging his gaze, even while trying to appear completely in charge, “then the answer is no.”

At hearing my response, his lips immediately tightened. “You have my sworn word that I would never attempt anything … untoward.” Either he was seriously bent on making me numb, or he really intended to bewitch me so he could do whatever he chose to.

“Your word isn’t good enough,” I barked back, although I actually believed he wouldn’t take advantage of me. Yes, my bravado was a complete façade, which was swiftly dissolving second by second.

“Very well,” he replied, and I saw something in his eyes, or maybe it was in his upturned lip, but it was fairly obvious he knew my bark was worse than my bite.

He reached for my hand, and as soon as his skin made contact with mine, a shiver shot up my arm. From there, it spread through my core, and all the way down to my legs and toes. Lifting my wrist, he rotated it so that the inside faced him before running the pad of his thumb over my veins. Goose bumps immediately broke out over my skin and soon covered my entire body.

“There now,” he crooned while stroking the inside of my wrist, something which only caused more shivers to convulse through my body. His eyes were plastered on mine, and his gaze dared me to break contact with him.

I suddenly couldn’t resist the urge to touch him, to trace the outline of his lips and rub the rough shadow that colored his cheeks, jaw and his chin. I found it hard to restrain myself from leaning forward and inhaling his crisp, clean scent.

Bryn, what’s wrong with you?
I screamed at myself.
Why are you feeling like this and … acting like this? How can you even think this way after everything you endured over the last three weeks?

Of course, I had no answers to my questions. Although it was wrong on every possible level, I had to admit to myself that I definitely desired Sinjin … that I was in the process of desiring him even now.

You shouldn’t be surprised!
I railed back mentally.
That’s how you’ve always felt about Sinjin! Why should it be any different now?

Because!

Confusion, guilt and anger flourished inside of me as I tried to make sense of my emotions. I just couldn’t understand how I could feel such blatantly amorous sensations and desires for any man after what happened to me. I’d sworn off men forever and promised myself I’d never again suffer the anguish of having another man force himself on me.

But Sinjin isn’t just a man!
I argued.
He isn’t Gus or Will or Jack. And what’s more, Sinjin is your friend.

Yes, but …

There is no but! You know he would never and could never hurt you!

“Princess?” Sinjin’s voice snapped through my thoughts and drew my attention back to him. “You have my word as a gentleman that I will not take advantage of you, not now, not ever.”

He was still trying to convince me to allow him to take the pain of his bite away. Truthfully, there was nothing I wanted more than to yield to his request and offer myself to him. I wanted to trust him. I gulped when I considered what I was doing—forfeiting any chance to protect myself in case he proved not to be the gentleman he professed he was.

But you know he is a gentleman,
I continued to argue with myself.
You also know that Sinjin is a man of his word. He’s honorable.

Really, the pain of his bite wouldn’t be that bad …
I argued with myself.

The pain isn’t the point! Sinjin is asking you to trust him! And you know you want to trust him just as much as he wants you to!

“Look at me,” he commanded. Tipping my chin, he forced my head up so I could look into his azure eyes. When my eyes met his, he smiled a smile I’d never seen on him before. I was accustomed to seeing boyish, charming and, most often, salacious grins on Sinjin. But this smile was totally different. This one was … sweet.

“I would never harm a single hair on your beautiful head,” he whispered, his cold breath fanning across my cheeks. My eyes closed of their own volition. The sound of his voice was enticing and soft, so soothing that I couldn’t possibly keep them open. His ice-cold breath continued to chill my skin, almost making it burn. “The favor you are offering me by sharing your blood is a gift that I will cherish and honor.”

He will be warm soon.
The thought caused a frenzy of butterflies to flutter in my stomach.
As soon as he drinks your blood, he will grow warm.
Your blood will warm him. No one else’s… just yours.

I wasn’t sure why, but that thought also filled me with pleasure. I wanted to make Sinjin warm, I wanted him to feel the radiant heat spreading through his veins, a gift of life, thrumming and pulsating throughout his body. I wanted him to know what it felt like to be human again. And knowing I was the only woman who could give him such a gift gave me a strange sense of calm.

“Please do not insist that I cause you pain, Bête Noire,” Sinjin continued. His voice encouraged me to open my eyes just as it had been the reason I’d closed them. I watched him bring his index finger to my face and push a few stray locks of my hair behind my ear. “Allow me to remove any discomfort inflicted by me … please.”

“I don’t know.”

“Now is not the time for brandishing your sword, pet,” he continued. “It is not the time for martyrdom.”

I didn’t respond right away as I stared into his hypnotic eyes and tried to make sense of my turbulent emotions. I was incredibly turned on, yes, but there was much more to it than that. I felt cocooned by Sinjin, even though he wasn’t holding me. Just the sensation of his fingers along the side of my face somehow made me feel … safe.

“Please,” he repeated while he brought his finger to my mouth, running the pad of it across my lower lip. My heartbeat pounded at such an increased pace, the rush of blood seemed to fill my head, making me suddenly dizzy. Every nerve in my body was on high alert and tuned in to Sinjin, straining to feel his touch.

I didn’t say anything but just simply nodded, letting him know that I was forfeiting my control, and allowing him to be in charge. A sudden blast of indignation bubbled up inside of me, but I ignored it. I couldn’t allow the feelings of outrage to take control of me. I couldn’t—not when I wanted only to trust Sinjin. Actually, it was more than simply wanting to trust him. I
needed
to.

He smiled at me again with that sweetness that was new to me and then brought both of his hands to the sides of my head so he could control the direction of my gaze. “Thank you, love,” he whispered softly. Suddenly, he appeared very tall, much more grand and large than I remembered. I felt dwarfed by his broad shoulders and impressive height.

I didn’t say anything and doubted I could have formed sensible words at the moment. There was so much going on inside of me—divergent feelings that overtook me although I couldn’t make any sense of them. All I could manage to do was stare, utterly transfixed, into the most beautiful eyes I’d ever beheld.

“Stare into my eyes, Princess, and do not break our contact,” he instructed. His voice was beginning to sound as if it were growing more quiet. “Banish everything from your mind and think of nothing else but our eyes … and us … connecting.”

That was easy to do. I had no other thoughts. All that existed for me was Sinjin. All that existed was us.

“I am going to protect you now,” he cooed. His voice ebbed and flowed with the tides of emotion now cresting through me. “There will be no pain, only bliss when I touch you. And when I take nourishment from your body, you will be transported to a place in your memories where you knew the greatest happiness.”

Even though my eyes were open, I couldn’t see anything except Sinjin. All I was aware of was his face right in front of mine, but I couldn’t process what was happening. I willingly succumbed to the pull of his oceanic eyes, and allowed myself to be carried away in his current. I vaguely remembered him pulling me closer, how one of his arms held my lower back while the other wrapped around my shoulders. I let myself drop as he dipped me down and brought his face closer to mine, descending ever closer.

Closing my eyes, I felt his lips on mine and electricity seemed to jolt through my mouth and down my arms, into my legs. The sensation of his soft lips was almost earth shaking—and I temporarily worried that my heart might simply explode because it was pounding so fast. When his tongue invaded my mouth, my knees buckled. Sinjin tightened his embrace as I feverishly lapped at his tongue.

He might have been surprised by my overzealous reaction because he broke the seal of our lips only seconds later with a deep chuckle. I opened my eyes and immediately became ashamed as a wave of embarrassment overcame me in a hot flush. My eyebrows knotted together in the middle of my forehead as I glared at him.

“You promised not to take advantage of me,” I started.

“And I kept my promise. That, my dear tempest, was
your
doing,” he interrupted, continuing to laugh. “As of yet, I have not fully bewitched you.”

I found I couldn’t respond and, instead, felt the irresistible need to stare into his eyes again, despite my humiliation and anxiety.

“I must admit,” Sinjin continued, gazing down at me unblinkingly, “that I missed your lips on mine and the way your body envelops mine so deliciously.” He paused for a few seconds, his eyes glued to me. “The truth is I could not get you out of my mind and became just as frantic as your sister to locate you during these three weeks.”

But his words were meaningless to me. While I could see his lips moving, his meaning was lost on me. I felt completely immobilized as I looked up at him. Looking down at me, he watched me with a curious expression in his eyes that I couldn’t identify. He just stared at me for the course of a few seconds before bringing his lips to my neck. He licked the tender area, just below my jaw bone, and I could feel the tips of his fangs, poised above my skin. It seemed like time stood still as Sinjin walked the line between biting me or not.