Alexi headed to the bar and got a drink. She was sipping it when a vaguely familiar scent drifted to her, more potent than the alcohol in her glass.

“What are you doing here?”

Alexi looked down at Tatiana. She was very lightly made up and clad in a black dress that enhanced the lines of her curvy body.

“Wow,” she breathed. “You look beautiful.”

Tatiana smiled shyly. “Thanks. You look pretty hot in that suit.”

“Here with the family or the boyfriend?” Alexi had to remind herself this one was off limits, no matter how attracted to her she was.

“Ewan,” she said and averted her gaze. “But I did think about what you said last night. I can’t go on living this way.”

“You can’t.” Alexi faced Tatiana fully.

Her black hair was pulled back in a sleek bun with a single tendril hanging down the side of her face. The corkscrew curl was begging for Alexi to curl her finger around. The necklace at her throat was a simple one of gold.

She would look better in diamonds.

Still, Tatiana was the picture of understated elegance and just the kind of woman Alexi’d want on her arm.

“I guess you brought a date?” Tatiana asked, and there was a hint of anger in her tone that flashed in her eyes for only a second before Tatiana looked away.

“No.” She shook her head. Her cat was more than a bit thrilled by Tatiana’s resentment of another woman enjoying her company.

There was surprise in her face as their eyes met again. “Why? You’re an attractive woman, nice.”

Alexi grinned. “I am nice,” she said. Would she think she was nice when she killed her brother? Would she still think she was nice when she found out what she did for a living?

Yeah. Tatiana was off limits.

Tatiana leaned toward her, resting a hand on Alexi’s arm, and electricity sparked on her skin from the simple touch. Her cat strained to get closer, wanting those soft hands all over it.

“I enjoyed last night,” Tatiana said softly, her stare heating, and pheromones came off her as if she was sending a clear signal to the cat.

Hunt me. Catch me. Take me.

Alexi fought back a growl as her primal instincts threatened to take over. “Me, too. You look stunning.”

“I—thanks for taking care of my car. You must be one of the club’s favorite patrons to get them to do that.”

“I’m glad you got it back intact.”

“It was stupid not to check the gas gauge and to walk,” she said with a frown. “I thought someone was out there following me, but I guess it was just a dog.”

“Probably was,” Alexi agreed. She had seen a wild dog on that stretch of road before.

“I got your flowers.” She smiled. “They’re lovely. Thank you. I guess you got my work address from my application?”

“I did,” Alexi agreed. “I guess it would be inappropriate for me to ask to see you again?” Alexi stepped closer to her, and the quick thud of Tatiana’s heart reached her, exciting her animal.

The cat already loved the scent of her, the silky feel of her skin and the almost inhuman warmth of her energy. It intrigued, seduced, but not frightened.