Really, really okay with it.
When she broke the kiss and eased back, he smiled at her. “Does this mean you believe me?”
Did she? Maybe. “I…guess I do.”
His expression softened. “No, you don’t. Not yet. It’s okay. I understand.”
He stared at her throat for a few long moments, long enough that her hand went to her neck. “Okay, I get it, you’re a vampire and my neck is bare.”
“No, that’s not what I was—yes, it is bare. I’ll be right back.” Then he was gone, only to return so quickly she didn’t know how he’d done anything in such a short time.
In his hand, he held a large burgundy velvet box. “As beautiful as you look tonight, this is only gilding the lily, but if you would indulge me…” He opened the box.
Delaney sucked in a breath. “That’s amazing.”
Nestled on the burgundy velvet was a dragonfly worked in gold. Emeralds made up its body, but the wings were set with amethysts, sapphires and diamonds. The insect was strung on a new black velvet cord, but the patina of the gold and the cut of the stones spoke to the age of the piece.
He lifted it from the box and held it up. “May I?”
If this was his way of marking his territory, so be it. “On one condition.”
He closed the box and set it on the entry table. “Yes?”
“Tell me about it. It looks old.” She turned and lifted her hair so he could put the necklace on her.
“It is.” He settled the piece around her throat, then held it there while she moved her hands. “It belonged to my mother.”
His fingers brushed the back of her neck as he fastened the clasp, raising goose bumps on her skin and causing her to wonder what it would be like to have his hands on other parts of her. Or his fangs… “That’s pretty old. It must be worth a fortune.”
“There. What do you think?”
She looked in the foyer mirror, conscious of the fact that he hadn’t answered her about the piece’s value. “It’s beautiful.”
Their eyes met in the mirror. His held emotions she couldn’t read, and his voice was low when he answered. “It suits you.”
Her fingers went to the dragonfly as she turned to face him. “I know it’s just a loan for the evening, but it’s still very generous of you.”
“It’s nice to see it worn again.” With the distance of memory lingering in his gaze, he opened the front door. “Shall we? I had Stanhill pull the car around.”
Hugh drove them to the club, which wasn’t far, but the trip covered some back roads that were new to her. When they arrived, she squinted at the place. Faded painted spelled out the name Caldwell Manufacturing on the old brick building in front of them. It looked like it had been new fifty years ago. “I’ve heard of industrial clubs, but this is hardcore. Are you sure it’s safe?”
He nodded. “It’s just a cover, I promise.” He pointed at the fairly packed parking lot. “There wouldn’t be cars here otherwise.”
She peered up at the building. “What’s this place supposed to manufacture?”
“Gaskets.”
She stared at him. “For a second, I thought you said caskets. Hah! See what I did there? Caskets? Vampires?” He wasn’t smiling. “Never mind.”
He narrowed his eyes like he was seeing past her dumb joke. “We need some places of our own. The tourist side of things wears on you after a while.”
“By ‘we’ I assume you mean supernaturals?”
He nodded. “Of which you are about to meet a large group.” He jumped out of the car, a beautiful old Jaguar, and came around to her door and helped her out.
“Anything I need to know before we go in there?”
He shut her door and locked the car. “Trust your instincts. Just like in any club, there might be elements to avoid. But I’ll be at your side the whole time.”
He put his hand on the small of her back as they started toward the building, then leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Have I mentioned how ravishing you look?”
His warm breath tickled her skin, sending the most delicious shiver through her. “Not in so many words.”
She linked her arm through his. “I have to say tonight you not only sound like James Bond, but in that suit, you look like him too.”
“A high bar indeed.” He opened a rusted steel door and let her in, then pulled it shut behind them.
Rows of worktables and machinery lined the vast open floor. The odors of dust and grease accompanied the utter stillness of the place. “Yeah, you’re right, this is a happening joint. How was there not a line to get in?”
“Reserve judgment a moment longer.” He ushered her toward a freight elevator and punched a code into a shiny new keypad. The down button lit and the whirr of gears echoed through the warehouse.
When the doors opened, they stepped in and he pressed the button marked basement. When the doors reopened, Delaney’s eyes went wide.
She stayed at Hugh’s side, happy to follow him while she gawked.
The place was gorgeous, but dark. All that stood out immediately was the decor. Moody, industrial, and sleek, but plush at the same time. Leather seating, brushed metal accents, lots of blue neon, water features and the occasion blast of the smoke machine. “It’s like a dream.”
“That’s the idea. Insomnia and all that.” He led her toward the bar closest to them. “Let’s get a drink and get comfortable.”