Page 21 of Midnight Enchantment

She slid the fingers of one hand into the silky hair at his nape while her other hand clutched his arm, afraid if she let him go, she would slide out of her seat and land on the floor at his feet, a helpless bundle of longing.

She blinked at him when he lifted his head, felt a rush of embarrassment when she realized the movie was over and the lights were on.

Taking her by the hand, he lifted her to her feet and put his arm around her waist. “You okay, my sweet Liliana?”

She looked up into his dark eyes and feared she would never be the same again.

Raedan drove her back to the hotel, accompanied her to the door of her room, waited while she unlocked it.

“Thanks for tonight,” Lily said. “I had a wonderful time.”

“As did I.”

Her cheeks warmed under the heat of his eyes, and the memory of how eagerly she had gone into his arms.

“Maybe we could do it again?” he said.

His voice, low and seductive, filled her mind with shadowy images of candlelight and the two of them lying entwined in each other’s arms amid rumpled sheets.

When she met his gaze, she knew he was aware of her every thought, every doubt.

“Do you trust me enough to invite me in?”

She licked her lips. Would he be offended if she didn’t? But surely he knew her reasons. He was far too sexy and she was feeling far too vulnerable.

Grinning, he brushed his lips across hers. “You are wise beyond your years,” he said. “Can I see you tomorrow night?”

She was playing with fire, Lily thought. He was centuries older than she was, not only in years but experience. Compared to him, her powers were practically non-existent. Ava would not approve. Neither would her parents. Or Dominic. And yet she couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing him again. Her voice trembled when she said, very quietly, “Yes.”

“Same time?”

She nodded.

He leaned toward her and when she didn’t back away, he kissed her, ever so gently. “Until tomorrow,” he murmured.

Tomorrow, she thought as she watched him walk away. How could she wait until tomorrow?

After leaving Liliana, Raedan willed himself to Hollywood. Spending time with the lovely witch tended to rouse his hunger, and since he didn’t want to think of her as prey, he sought satisfaction elsewhere. Hollywood was an interesting place, even late at night. Drunks and druggies wandered the dark streets. Hookers of every stripe lingered in alleyways, hoping for one more trick before calling it a night. The shrill sound of a siren bruised the quiet of the night.

He passed several people strolling along the sidewalk—tourists, whores, addicts looking for one more hit—but found none of them appealing.

Not willing to settle for anything unappetizing, Raedan willed himself back to his lair at the beach. Maybe he would have better luck tomorrow night.

And if not, maybe you can coax the fair Liliana into giving you a taste.

“No!” he roared. “Not Liliana! Damn you, demon, leave me the hell alone!”

Chapter Ten

Dominic thrust Lily’s letter into Ava’s hand. “What do you make of this?”

Ava frowned when she saw there was no return address. “Smart,” she murmured. “No way to tell where she is.” She might be able to work a reverse location spell, but she was pretty sure Lily—or Raedan—would have planned for that and conjured the spell accordingly.

Ava read the missive, and then read it again before returning it to Dominic. “When did you get this?”

“Last night.”

“And you waited until now to show it to me?”

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