Part 2

Are you just going to stand there alone all night? A cool voice infiltrated
her carefully constructed shields. Skyler gasped softly and turned quickly
to see who was in the vicinity.

Over here.... The voice sounded amused, it could sense her anger and
confusion. She finally turned in Ransom's direction, and he smiled slightly
at her.

"Oh.... For christ's sake, most people introduce themselves, have a cup of
wine, whatever before they enter a person's fucking mind...." She muttered
to herself as she turned from him and threw up heavier shields.

Ah, so, do you talk to yourself often then? There was definitly amusement in
that cool voice as it again infiltrated her mind.

Stop that! She shot back at him, turning to give a glare for good measure.

I'll stop if you come over and properly introduce yourself, instead of
sulking and muttering about my lack of manners.... His smile widened as she
narrowed her eyes across the room at him.

She took a deep breath and calmly walked over. "Fuck it all, there goes my
game plan."

"Ah, so the mysterious angel has come to grace me with her presence...."
Ransom drawled as she came to a stop at his feet.

"Charmed, I'm sure." She smiled brightly, catching him off guard. He
narrowed his eyes for a brief second before throwing his head back and
laughing. The women beside him looked at him in astonishment before glaring
at Skyler.

"So, mysterious angel, do you have a name?" He went on, ignoring the looks
he had recieved. She decided to do the same. Against her will, she was
actually starting to like him.

She smiled darkly at him, "Skyler."

"Ah, so, Skyler, have a seat, and we'll have a glass of wine." His eyes
glinted, reminding her of what she had said earlier about wine. The women
both jerked up at the same instant and left his sight. He smiled at her
impressed look.

"Come.... Sit.... Shyness is not a good ally." He mocked lightly.

"I am not shy." She stated while still standing before him. He grinned and
reached out a hand to capture her gloved one and tugged her down beside him.
Too close beside him.

Quickly wrapping an arm around her, he kept her exactly where he wanted her.

"I'm Ransom Blooded." He informed her as he reached over to grab a glass of
red wine from the small table beside the couch.

"Good for you. Do you usually treat women like this?" She asked, mock angry
now.

"No, just you." Again he laughed down into her face. She laughed with him in
amazement. All that she had been told about the man had not prepared her for
him. He was nothing like the descriptions. Witty, enigmatic, charming...
Handsome, she mused with amusement.

"So, 'Ransom', what are you supposed to be?" Skyler looked up and down his
lean length very thoroughly.

He grinned again and then leaned in to whisper into her ear, "A big bad
vampire who eats witchs. Whole."

She laughed with him and then he went on, "And you, my dear, how did you
decide to come as an angel?" He handed her the glass during the question.

She took a quick sip of the full wine before replying, "I go for the
unexpected."

"I like it... Very nice... Especially the dress..." He gazed intently down
at her, stroking with his eyes all of the curves the dress did little to
disguise, "You realize, that you're out to seduce me in that..."

Skyler's heart jumped into her throat, but she just snuggled into his side
and grinned up at his down-turned face, "Is it working?"

"I'll have to see..." He leaned down and placed his lips against her's in a
light kiss that took her breath away. He pulled back to look fully into her
eyes before smiling, "I'm still not sure. I'll have to try again."

They were both laughing when he put his mouth against her's in a kiss that
was pure sex of the mouth. She clung to him as her mouth opened of it's own
accord, and his hands plunged into her carefully done hair, sending pins
flying.

Before Skyler knew it, she was across his lap as he kissed his way down her
throat to the low neckline of her dress. She whimpered and clung closer as
he kissed along the neckline, across her breast, before coming back up to
claim her mouth again.

He pulled away to take in her currently blue passion-hazed eyes and
delicately flushed pale skin, before he settled back on her swollen lips. He
groaned on a ragged breath, "Let's get out of here before we do something
that will shock the entire room."

He rose with her still in his arms, letting her slide along him to the
ground before he clasped her hand and walked toward the exit.

Skyler was completely unaware of her surroundings, and didn't even notice
Ash's quick thumbs up as she passed him. All her thoughts were on the man
beside her and how his silky black hair was hanging into his eyes in a most
beguiling way.