Author’s Note:
The following scene is one that hit the cutting room floor during edits, but I really liked it and thought you might too. I hope you enjoy. (Note-none of the bonus scenes have been to an editor so you may see some typos and misspellings)
When I first wrote “draw under an impossible time constraint,” I originally wrote it from Julius’s perspective because I was completely fascinated by his vampire and wanted to explore him more. Below is that character tangent. You’ll notice that some parts get revamped and appear in the actual book itself, but there are a few tidbits that I just couldn’t fit in or changed to increase the tension between the two characters, but still love it all the same.
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4
Julius
Erica’s sweet scent was like honey to a bear. Delectable. But her touch was more addictive. He could care less what Erica was drawing, but he could have her ink him all day. The beast inside of him crooned at the velvety soft feel of her skin against his.
Her sure hands steadied against his and raced against the clock to sketch something that would delight him. It wouldn’t take much for her to impress him. He was already delighted. So, he sat in the VIP booth in a trance and watched as the cacophony of thick lines converged on his pale hand.
With her warm sun kissed skin against his, her pulse raced, thrumming from her wrist and through his. It radiated in his body and throbbed in his chest as if her heart beat for his.
“A Raven.” He blinked. Awe settled his cheeks into a smile.
It’s just a coincidence. Evan’s voice appeared in his mind as if he were sitting in the booth beside him instead of dancing in the tangle of humans down in the pit.
Or instinct. Of course, the girl in front of him would draw his house insignia. Julius was never a believer in fate, but when she began to shade in the bird’s feathers, he knew that it’s what drew them together.
When her phone buzzed, he wanted to wretch it from her pocket and crush it. Erica’s hand clutched onto his harder as the pen moved quicker. Their time was running out. Why did he wager a ten-minute bet?
Fine strands of her wavy blonde hair tickled his forearm as she leaned in closer. She pulled her lip into her mouth and bit on it pensively. The pen moved feverishly, the pressure digging into him harder. It built an equal intensity inside of him.
Her phone buzzed again. One minute.
Not enough time. Erica’s nails dug into him as her concentration surged forth. Ink splotched across his hand and the warmth of her intensified next to him. She radiated like a fireball as she worked.
The minute dwindled down to nothing.
“That’s time.”
“Five more seconds,” she pleaded, but her hand didn’t slow its frantic pace. The concentration on her brow was adorable. His heart warmed.
“I see what you’re trying to do,” he murmured against her ear.
In an instant, she’d broken apart from him. Julius frowned. She was supposed to chuckle and keep hold of his hands as she inked him. Not back away. Oblivious to the distance, Erica kept her keen gaze on the raven on the back of his hand. He watched her eyes dart around it for several seconds before a slight frown took its place. She didn’t like it. Then, her brow crinkled in worry as she glanced at him, then looked back at her creation. Was she upset? Afraid that she didn’t please him?
By the gods, he wanted to claim her.
The beast inside of him agreed and let his fangs drop. Julius pinched his mouth closed. He needed to will them away. Focus on something else. For a moment his eyes closed trying to evoke a calm over him. Erica set his nerves on fire. With her so close, it was near impossible to separate the beast from the man.
Look at her drawing. Evan’s somber voice tapped into his thoughts.
He’d try anything that would keep the beast in him from launching himself at the girl beside him and fucking her into the floor. So, he did. He focused on his pale hand and took in the drawing.
With a blotchy pen and an impossible time constraint, Julius was starstruck. Amazement blanched his thoughts at how it looked so much like the insignia of his house. Right down to the feather’s intricate crisscrossed pattern that beveled in long elongated diamonds. It was not finished, but what was visible passed for a perfect replica of what adorned the breastplate of the armor he wore back home.
It worked. His fangs retracted and his beast settled.
Then, Erica stood up, pulling at the hem of her shirt and steadied herself.
“S-so,” she cleared her throat, her voice tight with desire as his eyes raked over her frame. He should be less lewd, but the beast inside of him wanted her to know every inch of her would be his even if he couldn’t touch her. Yet. But, if he kept on, he was going to make her uncomfortable. Stiffening his shoulders, he forced his eyes to meet hers.
“Do we have a deal?” She asked.
No. Evan’s voice was clear in his head. You need to focus on the mission. Not this girl.
Despite his brother’s protests, Julius plucked a white business card from his wallet and handed it to her.
“Call me. We’ll set something up in the next day or two.”
For fuck’s sake. If you blow this for us, let it be on your head.
Let it be on your head? You’re even starting to sound like them, Julius teased but was diverted when Erica’s entire body came alive. She smiled wide and bounced on her toes in excitement as if the realization of what he’d said just dawned on her
Before he said anything else, footsteps bounded up the metal staircase toward them.
Erica put more distance between them. His beast let out a low growl but stopped short when he caught sight of the dragon. The owner of the club let off an encouraging smile.
“Mr. Craul,” the dragon greeted him after he made his way past the burly bouncer at the edge of his section.
“Please, call me Julius,” he returned Stick’s smile with one of his own, hoping he’d say whatever he needed to and left him to Erica.
“Julius.” The word was so light, like a feather on the air, that no one else would have heard it but him. His eyes popped to hers and held them for a moment. Please say it again, he pleaded. Wanting to hear it sung over and over to him.
“Julius,” her boss moved between them. Julius forced himself to focus on the man with the spiky hair and scale patterned tattoos that cascaded down his arms. “Let me show you the wares of the club. We have several music areas, six bars and even a performance stage,” Stick said in excitement.
This was the last thing Julius wanted to do. He wanted to stay with Erica.
Go. Evan’s voice crept up inside of his mind, even though at quick glance, he didn’t slow in his movements on the floor. We’re here for the club, not the girl.
End
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