The Blood Curse

Chapter 5: The Kiss

“I can hear your heart pounding from here," Atreus said in a low voice and kissed the top of Layla's hand softly.

And like her heart was at the will of the man sitting before her, Layla's heart did indeed start to pound even harder than before. Layla bit her lip as a full course of shivers tickled her body. Atreus' eyes narrowed on her in what could have been an almost dangerous expression filled with desire and hunger.

They watched one another, drinking each other in like their lives depended on it. Atreus ran his thumb across the expanse of Layla's hand like he was trying to soothe her racing heart. Layla swallowed gently and wet her lips.

“You are truly a stunning beauty, Layla," he said in that deep voice that rumbled through Layla's body. “I feel privileged to be here with you tonight."

Layla was trying to find a way to respond when the waiter arrives with their food. Atreus released her hand and their plates are set in front of them. That's when Layla realizes what Atreus has ordered. It was a plate of beef tartar dredged in oil and herbs. Layla eyes it with a bit of surprise.

Atreus notices and gestures to the meal. “Would you like to try it?"

“No, thank you," Layla said, shaking her head and giving him a wry smile. “I'm more of a well-done kind of girl."

Atreus chuckles as he picks up a small fork and takes a bite. Layla watches him in wonder as he chewed. She had always wondered what kind of people could eat their meat completely raw. Layla realizes she is staring and drops her gaze to her own meal before picking up her spoon and taking a bite. Layla moans softly in satisfaction as she takes another bite.

Atreus stiffens as he watches her for a moment, the grip on his fork tightening.

“This is amazing," Layla says in-between a bite. “Do you want to try?"

Atreus smiles as he takes a sip of wine and shakes his head. “No."

They grazed on their meal for a couple of silent minutes.

“So," Layla started before taking a small sip of wine. “Do you travel often?"

“I do," he said simply, placing his fork down.

Layla noticed that he had barely eaten anything on his plate.

“What do you do for work?" she asked casually.

There was a slight pause before he answered. “I don't really anymore."

“So, you're retired?" Layla asked, her eyebrow lifted. He couldn't have been older than his thirties.

“You could say that," he said with a small grin but didn't explain anything further.

Layla glanced down at the flash of his teeth and those elongated canines. For a moment she remembered the dream she had yesterday of the shadowed man pinning her hands above her head and running his teeth along her neck. She pictured Atreus as the man in the dream as he sunk those teeth into her neck.

Pleasure coursed through her body at the idea and her cheeks flushed. Atreus watched her, his eyes gleaming with entertainment almost as if he knew what she was thinking.

Layla dropped her gaze and took another drink. 'Get it together!' she thought to herself.

“What about you, Layla?" Atreus asked, bringing Layla's eyes back to his. “What are you currently pursuing?"

“Right now, I'm in college majoring in anthropology at the University of Miami in Florida. I'm actually about to graduate next semester. Then I'll pursue a forensic research position," Layla said with a shrug. “I've always been captivated with anything ancient and uncovering lost relics."

“That sounds fascinating," he said, interlacing his fingers and resting his chin on his hands. “Tell me more."

The next hour was filled with light conversation about Layla's educational pursuits and her life in America. Before they knew it, the restaurant was getting ready to close. The two stood from the table and Atreus once again offered his arm to Layla, who took it without hesitation.

As they walked through the restaurant to leave, Layla felt a bite of disappointment that the night had ended so quickly. Once outside, Layla released Atreus' arm and stood before him with a smile.

“Tonight was great, Atreus. Thank you," she said, reaching her hand out to shake his.

She immediately regretted it. What kind of signal was that giving him? Layla had never been one to have much finesse with romance and now here she was awkwardly holding out her hand like an i***t.

Atreus glanced at her hand before taking it into his own. But, instead of shaking it, he pulled her close to him in a gentle, yet swift movement. Layla gasped as she came nose to nose with Atreus. He smelled of wine and cool mountain air.

Without a word, Atreus leaned in and captured Layla's lips with his own. Layla stiffened for only a moment before closing her eyes and melting into the kiss. When he slipped his tongue into her mouth, she thought she would ignite on the spot.

Atreus ran his cool fingers up her bare arms and slipped his hand into her hair as the soft strokes of his tongue drove Layla into a space where time didn't exist. He tasted like wine and had an edge of sweetness that made Layla hungry for more. When she returned his kiss earnestly, a barely audible rumble sounded from his throat.

Too soon the kiss ended when he pulled away from her and ran his tongue across his lips. Layla was breathless as she looked into his eyes, which watched her in return with that familiar hunger.

“Until next time, Layla," he said, his amber eyes drinking her in as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

He turned to walk away.

“Wait," Layla said, trying to quell the earnestness in her voice. “How do I find you again?"

He gave her a small smile. “I'll find you."

***

After hailing a cab, Layla sent a text to Mia telling her that her date was over. She sat there running her finger across her lips, the shadows of his touch still sending shivers through her body.

'I'll find you.'

How in the hell was that going to happen?

Did she just get played?

Was tonight just some kind of game to him?

Frustration began to build in Layla's mind and body for more reasons than one.

Layla's phone dings and she picks it up to read a text from Mia.

Mia: How was your date?