Page 29 of Midnight Enchantment

I am no good for you or anyone else. His knuckles caressed her cheek. You are inherently good and kind and gentle, my lovely Liliana. You deserve someone better, someone who can offer you the kind of good, decent life you deserve. The kind I can never give you.

She gazed into his eyes, eyes filled with pain and loneliness. I don’t want anyone else.

He groaned low in his throat. You will never be safe with me. The demon inside me … ”

She pressed her fingertips to his lips. We’ll defeat him together.

Do you think I have not tried?

Shh.Removing her fingers from his lips, she drew his head down and kissed him, her hands moving restlessly over his broad back, threading into the dark hair at his nape while she pressed her body against his.

Liliana!Lost in her nearness, in the warmth of her body, the heat of her lips, he crushed her close …

Lily woke with a start when the bedroom door flew open and the light came on. Heart pounding, she glanced around, searching for Raedan. But he was nowhere in sight. Tears stung her eyes as she realized it had only been a dream.

“Where is he?” Ava asked, her voice sharp.

Lily blinked against the light. “What?”

“Where is he?” Ava asked again. “I know he was here.”

Eyes wide, Lily stared at her great-grandmother. Maybe it hadn’t been a dream at all.

Raedan blew out a sigh as he willed himself to his lair. Right or wrong, he vowed he would see her again, do everything in his power to win her trust. And her love. Having held her in his arms again, tasted her sweet kisses once more, how could he ever leave her for good? She was the light to his darkness. The goodness of her soul strengthened him, acting as a buffer between himself and the demon.

Her scent was carried to him on every indrawn breath. The memory of her kisses made him smile as he tumbled into oblivion.

Lily woke with a smile on her lips. What she’d thought had been a dream the night before had been reality. Ava’s sense of Raedan’s presence in the house proved it had really happened. He had been there in bed beside her, holding her in his arms. Where was he now? When would she see him again?

She was still smiling when she padded into the kitchen, drawn by the mingled scents of coffee and bacon.

Her smile faded away when she saw the look on Ava’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to talk.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” Lily asked, hoping to lighten the sudden tension in the room.

“This is no laughing matter,” Ava said, setting a plate of bacon and eggs in front of her. “You’re in danger, child. And not just from your vampire-demon.”

“What do you mean?”

Ava took the chair across from Lily. “Your brother called me earlier. He had a visit from Claret late last night.”

“Claret!” Lily exclaimed. “What on earth didshewant?”

“You remember I told you people were interested in you because of the circumstances of your birth?”

Lily nodded as she reached for her fork.

“Apparently there’s a vampire looking for you.”

“Someone you know?”

“No. This vampire went to Claret seeking information. He believes if he mates with you, it will produce a child.”

Lily laid her fork back on the table. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Apparently he’s determined to try.”

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