Lingering Scents

Licking her lips Harper leaned her hip against the bar top as she scanned the crowds of bodies like a predator would its prey. Standing in the dimmest part of the bar Harper hadn't touched her drink since she entered the club. She didn't come here tonight to get wasted, hell she didn't even buy the drink the bartender gave it to her in the hopes that she'd give him a little something extra. Accepting the martini Harper gave the sexy blonde a flirtatious smile. Sure he was human and not her preferred type but he could remain as her backup plan if the supernatural beings were lacking tonight. A girl had to keep her options open.

After finishing her last client Harper didn't hesitate, tossing her equipment to one corner of her living room Harper jumped in the shower. She lathered her skin with the best smelling lotion she owned, straightened and curled her hair. Applying her makeup in record time Harper slipped on a ruby red mini dress along with killer red pumps and strutted out of her apartment with only a small clutch. In the small gold clutch was a pack of condoms, her apartment keys and a pair of panties. She came prepared for a night of nothing but sëx. Now all she needed was a male. Hell she was considering women at this point, any gender would work so long as she could find release.

Narrowing her eyes Harper continued to watch the swarm of bodies moving to the beat of the music pulsing through the nightclub. Her heart pumping faster as she watched strangers grinding strangers, her breath coming out in choked pants as her eyes fell into the slow rhythmic lull that was their hips. Her fingers itching to reach out to them, her lower abdominal burning as if to remind her of her neglected body. Every inch of her skin heated with arousal as she watched the wave of dancers with a longing yet she didn't join them even as her body leaned forward as if to do just that. The sight was like a siren's song, beckoning her to come closer, to step into the ocean of bodies and lose herself to the hypnotic music. Shaking the thought away she had to remind herself that she wasn't here for a night at the club. If things went according to plan she'd have a quick tumble in a secluded area and leave this place within the hour. Harper didn't just want any old fück, oh no she wanted a dirty, hard fück in the darkest corner of this place. She wanted a man that would push her against the tiled wall by the bathrooms, lift her dress, forget all priorities and manners and just give her exactly what she craved more than her next breath. An orgaśm.

She crossed her legs to relieve some of the pressure between her hips. Damn Kiev drove her to this. To scoping an infamous hunting ground for the darkest creatures of her world in the hopes that one of them would satisfy her. It was a new low she knew that much but it was better than bowing down to Kiev, besides the bastard had no idea what she was doing and that's how she intended to keep it.

"Hey sexy."

Turning towards the newcomer Harper offered the tall redhead a smile. Her eyes raking down his length, across his strong shoulders, his wide chest and down his leather clad thighs than slowly up to his face. His red shaggy hair fell across a set of baby blue eyes, his nose small and wide. His jaw was a bit narrow with a visible of a five o'clock shadow sprinkling across his alabaster skin and a wide flirtatious smile on his lips.

  Arching a brow Harper watched as his gaze slowly slid down the length of her legs, the corners of his mouth spreading further as he slowly slid his gaze back up to meet her gaze. "You see something you like?" Harper asked as she turned to face him, testing the waters before jumping in.

He sank his teeth into his bottom lip, his eyes dropping down to her middle section as he gave a nod. Unimpressed by his wordless reply Harper resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the area of her body he was staring at. Taking in his attire -a pair of dark jeans, a grey t-shirt with a fitted smooth leather jacket that was meant to give an edgy vibe to his rather good guy appearance. She snorted, he didn't seem like the rough type in fact he looked a bit soft for her. In fact the man looked like boyfriend material, she barely resisted a shudder at the thought of a serious relationship. That was not an option, she thought gruffly. Turning her attention back to the stranger she noticed his distracted stare trained on the very part of her that led her to this club in the first place.

  To confirm her suspicions Harper saw a brief flash in his hazy lust filled eyes as his lip curled above his teeth. "Let me guess you're a wolf." She stated with a sigh. Of course a puny wolf would be the first man who noticed me. With the pressure in her lower abdominal Harper wouldn't be surprised if he brought his pack too.

  It was a statement not a question and it took him by surprise. Blinking up confusingly, the stranger looked taken back by her comment and judging by his expression she was right. The mixture of surprise and confusion was replaced by a fierceness as he crowded her space, forcing her to lean back against the bar top. The hard edge dug into her back as she arched away from the large figure pressing against her. In an attempt to intimidate her further he placed both hands on either side of the bar, trapping her between his large arms.  With a snarl he lowered his head so they were eye to eye. The sudden change brought a smile to her lips as she stared straight into his hard blue eyes, her original image of the stranger vanishing from her mind. The stone look in his eyes had her lower abdominal clenching as her mind formed different situations where his attitude and strength would come in handy. Like in that back corner with his pants around his ankles and me straddling him. She felt the moisture forming between her thighs at the mere thought.

"Relax big boy, I just wanna have some fun." she said in a sultry voice, she pushed her hips forward to get her point across. Pushing off of the bar behind her Harper lowered her gaze to where their bodies touched and bit her lip as she felt his member rise up in attention. The girth of him through the denim wasn't disappointing, but then again werewolves were heavily packed. Releasing her bottom lip she looked up through the false lashes she put on earlier, her lips curved into a smile as she met those hard blue eyes. "You see I have a bit of a problem and I think you can help me."

His features softened at the playful tone she used, his brows arching in what she recognized was interest. His gaze dropped down to the same spot between her legs before they returned back to her, the cold look missing from his sapphire eyes. "Does this problem have anything to do with the heat that led me to you?" he asked in a gruff voice.

  Rolling her eyes she set him with a dark look, she was in no mood for the cat and mouse games. Kiev wore the game out long ago. "Listen I need a man with a solider dangling between his legs. That can be you or any other man in this place."

An amused smile spread along his face at her uncensored honesty. Shifting his weight off of her he made sure to pull back enough for his hips to brush against hers but not in direct contact like they were a few moments before. The cocky demure came off of him in waves from the smirk gracing his lips to the extra twinkle of mirth in his gaze. The hope she had of ending the dry spell dimmed as her mood dampened by his overconfidence. If this stranger had any chance of getting lucky tonight then he better impress her and quick. Harper spared a glance behind the stranger towards the crowds of people with longing. When was the last time she danced? She couldn't remember.

"Are you into the whole dirty fück in public or are you a classy girl who needs a bed?" he teased

His comment brought a faint smile to her lips. Pressing her palm flat against his chest Harper stood on her tippy toes and pressed her lips to his jaw, her lips grazed the smooth skin in a soft caress before she whispered a reply. "Beds are overrated."

With a howling laugh as he slid his arm around her hips and stepped between her legs. His eyes raked over her form in appreciation, the slow motion of his soft blue eyes took in every inch of her before returning his gaze to hers. Harper offered him a sultry smile as she snaked her arm around his neck, pushing her fingers into his smooth auburn hair. She arched her chest towards him, feeling her nïpples perk up at the feel of his body. There was no denying she needed this stranger to quench the thirst Kiev hadn't been able to and judging by the growl vibrating from his chest Harper could tell he was more than ready to take the burden of her recent celibacy. But there was something she had to know first.

"Tell me Red, are you mated to anyone?" she asked bluntly. There was no sugar coating the question. She refused to ruin a relationship. Even one as dumb as the werewolves old and very worn out traditional mating one.

Shaking his head he lowered his head "I'm a rogue. No mate, no pack and no strings attached."

"Perfect." Harper mumbled as she stood on the tips of her toes and pressed her mouth to his. Her lips brushed his, gently coaxing his thin lips apart as his tongue slipped out in search for hers. With a smile Harper parted her legs as he stepped between her open legs, his arousal alining with her throbbing core. She nearly cried as she felt his erection poking into her, his length inciting a moan from her throat. This was actually happening. She wanted to scream out her excitement, the adrenaline shooting through her veins helping her to drown out the noise of the club and ignore the buzzing of the people around them. Nothing mattered now, not the public scene she was about to create or the fact that a stranger was currently kneading her ass. Her self respect and dignity flew out the window and she couldn't give a fück!

  Kiev drove her to this. To a desperate fück at the end of the bar counter with a rogue who she wouldn't ever see again. Just the thought of Kiev caused anger to flare within her. Her fingers tightened in the strangers hair as she thought of Kiev's smug smile as he left her dreams every night after bringing her to the brink of euphoria. Her tongue plunged into the strangers mouth as Kiev's face flashed in her mind, his mocking laughter echoing in her head. With a deep growl Harper lifted her leg and hooked it over the stranger's hip causing her cocktail dress to ride up as she pressed herself closer to him as images of Kiev flashed through her mind like a silent film. Harper pressed herself closer to the redhead if it were possible to get any closer, her intention less sexual and more anger filled. She was hoping the image of Kiev would disappear if she attempted to drown in the moment. In this stranger. In the confusing feelings swirling within her. But much like the man himself the image wouldn't fade and neither would his looming presence in her mind. The images of the smug green eyed bastard fueled her anger and urged her further into the arms of the stranger. Further into the dark ditch of desperation that she continued to fall deeper and deeper. Further into the lowest she has ever stooped with a man. As much as she wanted to to deny it Kiev was getting to her, he had slithered under her skin and drove her to this madness.

  Tearing her mouth away from the stranger Harper released a frustrated groan as Kiev continued to nag her, his dark, piercing eyes burning in her memory. The redhead took her groan of annoyance as a groan of sexual frustration, he slid his hand down the length of her thighs, his fingers grazing the sensitive skin at the inside of her thighs as his lips brushed across her jawbone. Squeezing her eyes shut Harper willed the image of Kiev away while the stranger continued on oblivious to her internal struggle. Damn you Kiev. Harper cursed the incubus for the torture he put her through during the last few days, cursed him for invading her thoughts now. His tall, full form appeared in her mind as she pictured him watching her, his pitch black eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tight, those full lips pressed firmly together showing his displeasure in the scene before him. Scolding herself for her foolishness Harper willed herself back into the moment as she felt the stranger's lips brush the column of her neck when suddenly the warm lips lifted abruptly off her flushed skin.

  Fear gripped her insides as her eyelids snapped open, her eyes darting from one end of the bar to the other in search the incubus. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as she scanned the area, nothing seemed out of place. Yet her heart wasn't convinced as it slammed violently in her chest she turned to face the red headed stranger whose expression was filled with pure terror. His eyes were wide with disbelief and fear of something unknown, his skin had lost all color leaving him a pasty white as his mouth parted but no words escaped. He's here.

  Sparing a quick glance over her shoulder Harper's brows pulled downwards in confusion as she once again found only strangers surrounding them. Turning back towards the stuttering, pale stranger Harper shook her head and took a step forward when he took a cautious step backwards. Taken back by the action Harper realized that the fear filling his eyes were directed at her, he was afraid of her.

"You're...you're taken." He stuttered in a soft voice that was barely audible over the music. 

  Shaking her head, Harper squeezed her eyes shut wondering how Kiev had just ruined this for her. How the hell had the bastard showed up without actually showing up? "It's complicated but I'm not taken, not really anyway."

"You're taken by them." He whispered, his eyes darting nervously around the way Harper's were only moments ago. Taking another step back he scrubbed his hand over his face as he shook his head "Shît." he mumbled as he finally met her puzzled stare with an expression of pure terror. "Look I didn't know you had a you know..."

"No, I don't know. What do I have?" Harper asked in the hopes of clarifying why this man who seconds ago was kissing her was now looking at her as if she would pounce at his throat at the drop of a pin.

Careful not to frighten him anymore than she already had Harper crossed her arms across her chest to keep from shaking the answer out of the gaping fool. The stranger opened his mouth to speak but paused just before any words passed his lips. Pressing her lips together Harper resisted the urge to yell as she watched the redhead gather whatever courage he could muster at the moment and tried once more to speak. Patience wasn't Harper's greatest trait but she didn't want to scare the man without getting something out of him first, so she watched his second attempt at finally responding.

"A demon." He finally said in the same hushed whispered he has been using since he pulled away.

Sighing Harper pressed two fingers to her temple to ease the throbbing at the side of her head. "I don't have a demon."

"I smelled it." He blurted, his eyes widening as he gestured his hands towards her body "I smell him in your blood, you belong to one of them.."

"I don't...I'm not..." Harper halted in mid sentence wondering what exactly she would say that would prove she wasn't a demon sëx toy. Which she sort of was. Pressing her lips together she realized there was no explanation to her relationship with Kiev. It's not a fling, not a one time thing, hell she didn't even know if this crazy fück and go routine would even be considered as a booty call.

Sighing Harper lifted her head to explain to the strange redhead that Kiev meant nothing to her when she realized he was gone. Twisting around Harper searched the sea of bodies surrounding her in vain, he was long gone. Releasing a soft sigh she turned back towards the bar, her shoulders sagging in both disappointment and defeat. It was no use trying to get around Kiev, he would ruin everything without being anywhere near her. How could she remain strong against Kiev's attempts at breaking her when she was a mess on the inside? Scratching the itch behind his back obviously wouldn't work, not while he has set her blood to repel all males. Out of curiosity she raised her hand up to her nose and sniffed the inside of her wrist. When no foul scent reached her nostrils Harper lowered her hand and ignored the odd stare from the bartender as she ordered a couple of shots. Kiev couldn't stop her from drinking her sorrows away at the side of a bar. Snorting she realized that the bastard just might show up, he seemed to show up whenever he was least wanted. Maybe he'd stop by and gloat about còck blocking her.

When her drink arrived Harper wasted no time in downing both shots. Motioning for a refill she turned and leaned against the side of the bar, her gaze set on the swaying bodies before her as they moved in an almost synchronized movement with the music. Releasing a soft breath Harper watched in envy as they danced without a care or in her case without a demon. A small voice sneered she deserved this and Harper only partly disagreed with it. Hell she shouldn't be at a club getting shít drunk like a desperate spoiled child. She should be putting all her effort and time into finding a way out of this deal. Her lips twitched into a dark smile as she thought of her father scolding her for her lack focus. He always said she became distracted over any small thing during her hunter training.

  Shaking her head Harper felt a twinge of guilt as she thought of her father.  How would he feel about this deal? Scoffing, Harper knew the answer to that question. How would he kill her? That was the real question. Deciding she really needed that shot Harper turned with her hand outstretched when she spotted a familiar figure by the front of the club. No, it couldn't be.

  Forgetting about the drink all together Harper tossed a crumbled bill in the direction of the bartender as she made her way through the sea of bodies. Using her elbows Harper made a straight path towards the front steps of the club, turning a deaf ear to the complaints of the strangers around her as she watched the figure slip out of the sleek blue doors. Quickening her pace Harper ran after her and finding herself pushing through the front doors nearly hitting the two bouncers in her haste to keep up.

Craning her neck from side to side she saw a quick flash of dark brown hair turning the corner confirming her suspicions. Without a second thought she darted forward as several questions filled her mind. What the hell was she doing here? Her confusion mixed with annoyance as Harper recalled them last time she saw her sister at a club. Hadn't she told her to stay away from these kinds of clubs? And wasn't she grounded?

Harper turned the corner with the intent to call out to her sister and give her a piece of her mind and escort her home when something collided with her from behind. Taken by complete surprise Harper stumbled forward landing on her hands and knees. She squeezed her eyes shut against the pounding ache in the back of her head. What was that? Sparing a glance over her shoulder Harper saw a dark figure approach her.

"Hello love." the stranger said in a thick Australian accent as he stepped under the street light. She squinted trying to identify him but came up blank as her eyes swept over his tall, lanky figure, across his mocha colored skin and short curly hair.

  Pushing against the floor she managed to stand on her feet, despite the pounding in her head. Sweeping her gaze over the stranger once more Harper was sure she had never seen him before. Was he with Olivia?

"Sorry love, it's not personal." He shrugged with a gleam in his dark eyes. "It's just business."

"What business?" she asked well aware that they were alone.

His lips spread into a broad grin, revealing a set of stark white teeth. "Mostly family until the hunters' got involved."

She stiffened as a voice warned for her to be cautious. Keeping her ground, Harper felt the familiar prickling of her skin confirming this stranger was indeed a supernatural being. "And what family would that be?" she asked hoping it wasn't who she thought it was.

Shaking his head, he took two steps forward causing her to tense further as warning bells sounded in her head.

"I'm sure you know them. In fact.." He breathed in deeply and grinned as his dark eyes glossed over. "It seems you have been acquainted with my little brother."

  A cold shudder trickled down her spine as she took in his words. Kiev. This was Kiev's brother. He didn't resemble his brother that was for sure, she thought as she looked over his figure again. But what did he want with her?

  As if hearing the question out loud he appeared directly before her, his cool hands settling on her bare shoulders. Lowering his head to eye level he took a moment to look over her body. Regretting her choice of clothing Harper met his gaze when it finally returned back to hers.

"Such a shame I won't get a taste." He sighed almost sounding sincere. "But, this is a business meeting."

  His fingers dig into her shoulders and before the pain could register in her mind Harper was tossed down to the ground. The hard concrete scraped her bare skin as her arms rose to cradle her head just before it slammed to the ground. Her left side ached where she landed on as her head spun from the impact despite her effort to lessen the damage to her already throbbing head. Before she could open her eyelids she felt a fist slam into her jaw causing her head to fall back and hit the cold sidewalk. The blow came again, this time a bit lower as Harper brought her hands up and blindly swung at her attacker.

  Her punches missed their target but they did stop the assault. Crawling backwards Harper opened her eyes just as the tall man pounced at her. Rolling to the side she ignored the pain in her side as he just barely missed her. Gritting her teeth against the pain she scrambled to her feet when she felt fingers dig into her scalp and grab a fist full of her hair. Yanking her backwards before slamming her face first into the side of the building. Her face burned as he pulled her a fraction of an inch back only to slam her face against the brick wall.

"Sorry love, but we got send a message with a body." He spoke into her ear as he whipped her around only to shove her back against the wall.

  Harper struggled to breathe as her legs quaked, threatening to drop at any given moment. We? She didn't have much time to process his words when he slammed his fists into her torso. With a groan she dropped to her knees as the pain in her abdomen burned her insides. Fighting back the tears that welled in her eyes Harper struggled to clear her mind when he lifted his leg and kicked her side.

  All air left her lungs as she collapsed to her side wheezing for breath.  She blinked feeling panicked as he lifted her up by the shoulders.

"Unfortunately I have to leave some bruises, so bare with me here." He said in the heavy accent of his, not a hint of empathy in his tone.

Meeting his cold, emotionless gaze Harper's stomach dropped as a sense of dread filled her, he was going to kill her. The lack of emotion showed this stranger wouldn't mind taking her life in the middle of an empty street. The realization had her hunter instincts kicking into full gear. Her chest rose in fell as she took long deep breaths, her eyes dropping to the ground in search for any form of weapon.

To her dismay she found no objects she could easily lift and inflict any pain. Think Harper, a voice hissed just as the stranger threw another closed fist to her torso.

Doubling over with her arms wrapped around her midsection Harper fought back tears as the man burst into laughter.

"You're making this too easy." he boasted.

Dropping her head in both shame and pain at the situation, she stared at her feet when an idea struck her. Straightening her bent position she met the strangers' gaze with a heated glare before swinging her fist. Taking a step back the stranger released a dark cackle at her pitiful attempt. Anticipating his move Harper raised her leg and quickly snatched her shoe off of her foot. Standing on the tips of her toes Harper wasted no time and lunged with the heel pointed at him. Channeling all her energy into that one move she thrust it forward just as he registered what was happening and attempted to snatch the heel from her hands. Squeezing her eyes shut when the six inch heel connected with a hard surface Harper felt the bile in her throat as she felt it sink into his chest before she pulled it out just as swiftly.

  His howl of pain rang in her ears as his fingers wrapped around her wrist. Fight, a voice hissed as he pushed her arms away from him. Opening her eyes Harper forced her trembling legs to hold her up as she swung her arm upwards catching him by surprise. Shocked the stranger raised a hand up to the blood trickling from his left cheek giving her the perfect opportunity. Gritting her teeth Harper tightened her fingers around the shoe and rose it over her head and with a ear shattering scream jammed the dark heel into his eye socket. Her stomach lurched as the blood pooled out of his eye and his cries of agony echoed in the streets.

  Releasing her hold on the heel, Harper stepped back as the stranger dropped to his knees, both hands clutching his face as the metallic smell of blood filled the air. The blood trickling down his arms glistened in the street light as the gush of red oozed down the the pavement beneath him. Glancing down at her trembling hands Harper saw they were covered in the sticky red liquid. No, no, no, no....

  Flashbacks of the night her mom died played in her mind, the suffocating fear from that night crept around her like an old friend. Her heart thumped against her ribs as she shook her head, her eyes blurring with tears as the past slowly returned to haunt her. All the emotions of that night flooded back into her and once agin Harper felt like that same scared teenager from all that time ago. Gulping past the lump in her throat Harper heard loud voices in the distance. Turning back to the withering stranger Harper knew how this would look to a crowd of strangers, so without a second thought she turned on her heels and ran. She ran from the growing voices behind her. From the howling, bleeding stranger. From the past that despite all her efforts kept up with her after all these years.