His lips wrenched free of mine, and he took a step back. Squeezing my hand, he tugged me closer. “Back off, Hayden,” he barked. “Talon practically gave me his blessing.”
“Because your brother is a self-loathing idiot who’s still punishing himself for failing her. You really think he wants to see you two together?”
Vander shrugged. “I don’t know what he wants anymore.”
“How about what I want?” I poked my head between the arguing males then lifted my flask and shook the empty container. “I want a refill.”
Vander ticked his head at the opposite side of the rec room. “Flix and Valeria are that way. Maybe they’ve got another stash.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Hayden’s eyes darted back and forth between us.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” Vander’s arm snaked around my waist, and he ushered me toward the circle of Fae.
I could get used to this friendlier version of my wolfish protector. He was much easier to manage than the stubborn dragon. And yet the stubborn human side of me clung onto Talon with such fervor it wasn’t easy to shake.
“Hey girl!” Flix’s vibrant green eyes lit up at our approach. “I saw you breaking it down out there.”
“Looking good,” Valeria crooned.
“That’s actually why I’m here.” I lifted my empty flask and pouted. “I’d like to keep the party going, but I’m all out.”
“No problem, sweetheart.” He held up a finger and twirled around to the circle of Fae surrounding him. A second later, he spun back with a full glass bottle. “Hand it over.”
My mouth watered as he poured the effervescent purple liquid into my flask. I’d always heard stories about Fae wine, and now I understood why. The sweet, bubbly taste was addictive. And this was the crappy, bootleg version.
“How about you, Vander?” He held the bottle up to my bodyguard and indecision creased his forehead.
I leaned into him and whispered, “Come on, Wolfy. You’re much more fun with a few drinks in you.”
His lower lip jutted out as he nodded, handing Flix his flask. “Just a little more.”
I tipped my head back and took a long sip. The fizzy liquid coated my tongue, setting my tastebuds aflame. I licked my lips as I tucked the container back in the waistband of my jumpsuit.
Vander grabbed my hand and jerked me closer as the Fae circle enveloped us. “You’re driving me crazy with that,” he growled as his gaze fixed on my lips. My tongue darted out, wetting them again.
I twirled around as I danced, grinding my back against his front. From the corner of my eye, I could feel the burning glares of familiar eyes. Logan, Hayden and Dallas were all trying to ruin my fun.
“Get it, girl!” Flix sauntered up in front of me, swaying his hips to the rhythm. He ducked down and lowered his voice. “Something going on with you and the shifter? Because you know, what happens at moon fest, stays at moon fest.”
I cracked a smile as I continued wriggling against Vander. His hands tightened around my hips with each gyration. “Honey, right now, I’d jump you if you’d have me.”
Flix burst into a laugh and took a long pull from his bottle. “I didn’t think it was possible, but I believe I like drunk Azara even more.”
“Me too.” She’s much easier to control.
We danced with the Fae until sweat poured off my brow. For a bunch of arrogant faeries, they were surprisingly entertaining. Despite the pleasant distraction, hunger clawed at my insides. I spun around to face Vander, his hazel eyes glassy. “I want to see the boneyard.”
His sluggish expression brightened, and his mouth curved into a capital O. “Sure, right now?”
I nodded and leaned in closer, brushing my lips against his. “If you think you can handle me?”
Vander cleared his throat, and a flash of crimson coated his scruffy cheeks. “Of course I can.” He squeezed my hand and jerked me toward the rec room exit.
“Later, faeries.” I wiggled my fingers over my shoulder, and Wolfy tugged me to the door. Three pairs of eyes burned into the back of my head as we left. I refused to turn around. Tonight, I was in control, and no one was stopping my fun.
The hallways were quiet as we rushed toward the door to the yard. My head spun with the dizzying effects of the Fae wine and desire pooled in my core. I jerked Vander to a stop in the middle of the corridor and pushed him up against the wall. I pressed my mouth to his, devouring his lips as my hands trailed over his back. Hunger burned my throat but with this magical cuff, my power was too faint to grasp.
After a few heated moments, Vander pulled back. “Let’s go to the boneyard,” he rasped out. “I don’t want—” He cut himself off, snagging his lower lip between his teeth.
Talon. The unspoken word hung in the air. A pang of guilt scorched through my insides, but I swallowed it down. Pesky human emotions. “What are you waiting for?” I jerked his hand, pulling him off the wall and continued our flight down the hall.
Vander hauled the door open, and an icy breeze whipped dark hair across my face. Goose bumps puckered my arms, the thin tank top hardly enough covering, but I didn’t care. I inhaled the crisp air and bounded across the yard. A few inmates littered the snowy field, but most were inside the dozen wooden outhouses scattered along the fence.
A faint memory pricked at the back of my mind, but I tucked it back into the far recesses. I didn’t care to unearth any old memories; tonight, I wanted to make new ones.
A few of the old cabins rocked, and a wave of moans filled the night air. My core tightened in anticipation. Vander would make a pleasing lover. His fit form and obvious obsession with me would make for an entertaining evening. Not like those self-centered, arrogant dark lords of the Underworld my cousin had tried to force on me.
“That one looks empty.” Vander motioned at a rundown outhouse on the far corner. His fingers tightened around my hand as he tugged me toward it. His thumb moved in slow circles over my palm, his movements quickening the closer we got.
He jerked the door open, and my eyes landed on the worn mattress on the floor. Ugh, this was disgusting. At least the bedding in Thax’s castle would’ve been more comfortable. Standing, then.
The door slammed behind us, and I reached for Vander’s zipper. It slid down with a satisfying zip as he got to work on my dangling jumpsuit. His lips moved over my body as we undressed each other in a haze of Fae wine.
He stood before me, his tanned flesh fully exposed and a smile hitched up my lips. I was right. He would make a satisfying lover. At least my carnal hunger would be satiated, since my demonic one would not.
Vander’s blazing eyes raked over my own naked body, and a sigh slid from his lips. “Azara, you have no idea how long I’ve dreamt of this moment. I knew the first day I set my eyes on you that you were special--.”
I pressed my lips to his to put an end to his inane ramblings. This was a physical need to be fulfilled and nothing more.
The door whipped open and a pair of inmates stumbled in, a frigid breeze blowing in behind them. Vander tore his lips away from mine as the stench of bootleg liquor filled the cramp space.
“Get out!” I hissed.
The male vampire turned to me, his eyes glassy but his pointy fangs on full display. Was he really trying to scare me? Even naked, this bloodsucker couldn’t intimidate me.