Paragon - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

I rose in the elevator wearing fifty holes in my clothes.
The smell of their blood flickered in places on my shirt. But it was at the back of my mind. The dull burn was nothing of consequence. Nothing compared to what it would soon be.
When the doors opened I strode down the dimly lit hallway that shined with mahogany side tables and well carved doors. I passed a maid who almost tripped over when she glanced at my chaotic appearance. We would not be staying long either way–her acknowledgement of me meant little. I turned the corner and saw two men in suits posted outside the door at the end.
Their eyes locked onto me instantly and they straightened. I flicked a wrist behind me and they moved from her door calmly and passed me with murmurs and nods.
I flicked the key card over the gold bar and the door clicked. I let myself in and was hit with a direct wave of Quinn's scent. I had been away from it too long. Now it assaulted me more than any spilt blood ever could–and far sweeter. I should have sated the need earlier.
I checked the ornate rooms. I checked the bedrooms. My blood ran colder at every empty space. Then I checked the bathroom. I felt the hot steam as I turned the handle in a warm invitation. There at the end of the marble room was Quinn Adams. With her legs propped over the edge of the cavernous bathtub set into the floor and wireless headphones in her ears.
Her head bobbed to the rhythm of music and her face was relaxed into one that soaked in the foam and scented air with eyes closed. I tilted my head watching her. I let that thick scent wrap itself around me, letting my inner demon bare its teeth and fight for dominance. I wondered what it was she listened to.
I stepped out of my shoes at the threshold and walked forward silently.
Her head kept its rhythm to the beat as I dropped into a crouch before her. Her golden tan skin shined in the fog of the heat and her hair was in a damp bun over her head. I caught a loose strand about to pull it into place when her eyes flashed open in shock and she splashed her arm out into my face.
I kept still as I felt a layer of foam drip slowly down my face. Quinn lowered her arm with panicked breaths as she took me in. Then the shock melted into laughter. I wiped a hand over my face clearing it as I shook my head.
She pulled out her headphones and threw them up onto the counter.
"Give a girl warning Fletcher–" She muttered, wiping a line of foam off my jaw and suddenly freezing. Her eyes ran over my clothing quickly and widened. "–what on earth happened–are you–you're not–" She sputtered.
I caught her hand and her heartbeat pulsed enticingly.
"It's done."
"You didn't answer any of the many questions I tried to ask." She retorted, pulling her hand back and pushing the collar of my jacket away to see the dark patch staining my shirt. I shuddered at the warmth of her wet hand on me.
"There's no more work to be done here, that's all that matters." I murmured, catching her disbelieving eyes.
She ignored my calm and placed her hand against my neck. I froze under her and pulled on my restraint tightly. Her fingers drifted down wiping away what I knew was someone else's blood. She lingered on it before shaking her head and nodding next to her.
"Get in."
I almost choked on the air around us.
"Quinn absolutely not–"
"I'm not having you walk around like a Jackson Pollock painting."
I smiled despite it and raised an eyebrow, "You're a fan of his work?"
She ignored me and tried to push my coat off my shoulders. I rose out of her grip and savoured the way she glared back.
"Quinn, coming back and breathing you in is already testing me. How on earth do you think being bare skinned beside you will be remotely possible?" I asked incredulous.
She leaned back in the porcelain floor bath that could easily accommodate four people. I thanked every heaven that the foam covered her chest. She was already enough of a sight for imagination. She leant the back of her arms over the edge and tilted her head. "I'm not going anywhere until you clean up, detective."
"I can do that without an infuriating mortal inches from me!" I shot back.
She smirked. "Take off your jacket."
I glared. She glared back. I shrugged it off me with the nonchalance of royalty. It hit the floor heavily and revealed my ravaged shirt with the guns still secured at my ribs.
"Come here." She ordered with no doubt over her own power.
I rolled my shoulders out of habit before taking two steps to her. She moved from the edge of the tub and came to prop her forearms along the edge as she watched me. She raised an eyebrow and I dropped into a crouch before her. Our eyes now level.
"Was that so difficult?" She murmured with a smile still firmly in place.
I took a measured breath and felt the full fire of it tearing down my throat. I swallowed and held her gaze. She gave me a warning look before raising her hands to my shoulder and unclipping a holster. I didn't stop her as it clattered to the marble below us. She did the same for the other and it echoed around us in the hot air.
"Why do you always tread on ice?" I asked in a low voice.
The corner of her lips twitched and she remained focused on my shirt. "Solid ground loses its novelty don't you think?"
I small chuckle left me and she briefly glanced at my eyes. As usual her summer green were beautiful and always alluring. I grit my teeth when her fingers found the top button of my shirt. I stopped her hand and sighed.
"I'm not here to end another life. Stop trying to incite your own."
"I'm doing no such thing. I only promised to keep my hands off you," She smirked, "I'm sure you can wash yourself well enough."
My brows raised, "Then why not let me do this alone–"
"Because detective–" Her eyes took on a darker shade, "–then I wouldn't get to watch."
My shock was evident and I let out a breath I did not even know I held.
"You are unbelievable."
She grinned in the water and moved to the other side to lean her arms back again. "You made these rules."
My indecision kept me in place. The proximity was one thing. The nakedness an entirely new thing. But if she kept true to her word and firmly across the other side of this porcelain deathtrap perhaps–
"The water is getting cold." She mocked.
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose before deciding I had it inside myself. That she was right and I had indeed starved her of one thing so another would inevitably take its place. I didn't give more time to hesitation as my hands moved to the top of my shirt. Quinn's answering smile made my entire body hum in cold anticipation.
* * * * *
Her eyes roamed shamelessly over my body as I shrugged out of my shirt. The muscles on my stomach tensed in the humid air and those dark eyes flicked down to them briefly. Her lips twisted and she sighed deeply.
I rolled my eyes and pulled the rest of my clothes off unceremoniously. I had long ago got over the fear of exposing the body. That was not the problem. The problem were the ideas running plainly through the mortal's mind as I placed one leg in and dropped into the water slowly.
"So definitely no–"
"Do not even think about it, Quinn." I warned, settling against the tub and relaxing my body.
She grinned anyway and fought the urge to say something. I watched her cautiously before raising my arm and assessing the amount of blood left along it. I caught her gaze.
"I think I am about to ruin the colour of your bath." I deadpanned.
"Worth it." She said without hesitating. "We might just need another." She shrugged.
I shook my head and rubbed my hand against the gore until it became pink, then nothing at all. She was silent for a few moments just watching the tension and shape of my arms move before I was satisfied and relaxed them. Then they lingered on the water line at the curve of my breast–
"Was it bad?" She finally murmured.
I met her eyes. "Define bad."
"Did any... innocent lives get taken in this work." She got out, glancing back along my arms and trying to work out how they had their otherworldly strength. I instantly thought back to the mugger whose head was snapped like a tree branch. William's actions were not my own.
"I only ended those that jeopardised the objective." I answered instead.
"That sounds like a lawyer's response." She snorted without humour.
I didn't have a response for her. So I turned over my shoulder, smelling where the remaining blood was. I tried to reach behind when Quinn stopped me.
"Turn around." She told me. At my hesitation she rolled her eyes. "I won't try anything. God, I've never had to say that before..." She mused while I laughed.
"Looking the way you do, I'm not surprised." I stated honestly as I turned to face the wall. The water moved as she shifted closer.
"Stop complimenting me," She complained. "It's like giving an alcoholic a shot and telling them good luck in the future."
I grinned ahead. "And you would be the alcoholic?"
"Oh I'm definitely addicted to something I shouldn't be." She muttered with emphasis as she pulled a sponge from the side and poured a vanilla scented liquid over it. It did nothing to block her scorching scent but at least it was a distraction. When the sponge hit my skin I had to focus intently on my control again. She rubbed over my back pulling the gore away and filling my senses with nothing but her touch and heat.
I shut my eyes and took a very measured breath.
"I think someone was following me earlier." She admitted casually. I stilled under her and she continued like nothing was wrong. "A couple of men actually. Well dressed but had an ex-military look about them. You wouldn't know anything about that would you, Tara?" She asked with heavy humour.
Of course she realised. She was too observant for her own good.
"They were supposed  to be subtle." I grunted.
"You really don't trust me to look after myself do you?"
"You weren't armed." I shrugged.
She slapped my bare arm and I stiffened at the way the water seemed to make it feel... different. "Can you not do that." I grit through my teeth, feeling the urge to push her back into the water and colour the tub red entirely.
"Stop saying ridiculous things and we'll be on a level playing field–"
I whirled on her and snatched the sponge from her hand in seconds. Her eyes widened and her heart raced between us. Our faces were too close. Much too close for sane action. It had been too long since I tasted that rich life blood–
I shook my head and glared darkly at her.
"You keep poking a wolf and expecting a sheep. It is going to bite eventually." I growled.
"I haven't gone back on my word. What you do about it is up to you." She stated unfazed and matching my glare. I flicked between her burning green irises and felt the urge rise.
The need and desire not just for her blood. But for the feel of those soft lips and the press of her skin against me in the warmth of it all. Something in her drove my senses mad and I was losing the fight to run.
I tried to stop my eyes from glancing at her lips but it was inevitable. The understanding was in the air between us. The only thing that stood was the question. Would I act on it?
I allowed my face inches closer and savoured the proximity. The impossible scent of her to fill my mind and body before I forced a smile onto my lips. Her eyes closed and I could feel her body preparing itself for what came next.
"We have a flight to be on."
Her eyes flashed open and her glare could have killed. I pushed myself out of the water dripping shamelessly before her. I felt her stare on my bare back and legs as I waltzed across the floor to grab a towel. Every inch further was more sanity back in my mind. The water moved behind me and I did not dare to take her in as she rose out.
"Keep seeing how close you can tread the line, wolf." She called, as I walked through the door with a much darker smile on my face.