Excerpt from Shadows of the Stage

As Jolie filled a glass of water from the tap, Danny continued speaking. “I’m not exactly sure why I came by either. I was heading home and found myself here.” Hos voice wavered slightly during his non answer. He took a step closer to Jolie, “We’ve been checking employment records, but it seems that Burlesque clubs aren’t exactly known for their thorough record-keeping,” he explained with a hint of frustration.

Jolie shook her head at his statement, a small laugh escaping her lips. “It’s all part of the act, keeping our day jobs separate from our ‘naked jobs,’” she joked, her smile widening. For a moment, she forgot about the danger that lurked outside and the weight of responsibility that rested on her shoulders. In that moment, it was just her and Danny, sharing a lighthearted moment amidst the chaos. But as quickly as it had come, the moment faded, and Jolie was once again reminded of the gravity of their situation. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down, not even for a moment.

            Danny smiled charmingly as he reached for the glass, his hand brushing against Jolie’s. A rush of heat spread up her arm at the intimate contact. Her eyes narrowed as they focused solely on him, her senses heightened by the scent of his blood. She could feel her fangs press against her lips, craving the taste of him. Her gaze traveled down his body, imagining the way his muscles would move under her touch. She could feel her fingers itching to run over his smooth, supple skin. Her thoughts turned to burying her face in the hollow of his neck, feeling his pulse throb against her lips. She took a step forward, her mind clouded by her desire for him. But then, his voice cut through her haze, jolting her back to reality. “Jolie, hey, are you alright?” She quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, afraid that her fangs had extended in her momentary lapse of control.

“Yes, sorry. It’s been a long few days,” she replied, trying to compose herself. But Danny didn’t seem to notice her moment of weakness.

“Let me take you to dinner tomorrow, as a thank you,” he offered, taking another step closer to her.

Jolie’s mind raced, torn between her primal desires and her moral code. “No, no thank you. You don’t have to do that,” she said, trying to resist the pull towards him.

“I want to do that,” Danny insisted, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on hers. “Or we could order in, my treat.” He boldly placed his hands on her hips, his gaze intense and purposeful.

Jolie recoiled in horror, realizing that she had inadvertently used her powers to seduce Danny. She had always struggled with controlling her glamours, but now she had gone too far. Danny took another step closer, pulling her body against his and sliding his hands up her back. For a moment, Jolie considered giving in to her desires and dealing with the consequences later. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers, begging her to give in. His strength was just as she had imagined. But then, she pushed him away both physically and mentally. She couldn’t do this; she couldn’t manipulate him for her own pleasure. She was better than that.