Page 40 of Midnight Enchantment

“I can take care of my own.”

“And I intend to help you.” Raedan held up his hand when he saw the protest rising in her father’s eyes. “I owe you an apology.”

Quill raised one brow. “Is that so?”

Raedan nodded. “I want to court Liliana and I don’t want to sneak around to do it.”

Lily grinned at his use of such an old-fashioned word.

“And if I refuse?”

“Please, do not.”

Quill raked his fingers through his hair as he weighed his options. “Very well. You have my permission to see Lily, but only within the confines of this compound. You will be welcome in my home, butnotin Lily’s bedroom.”

Raedan inclined his head. “As you wish.”

Quill looked at Lily, his expression bleak. “Don’t make me regret this.”

“I won’t. Thank you, Papa.”

Quill grinned inwardly at the use of her childhood name for him. With a curt nod, he left the room, leaving the door wide open.

“Looks like you got your way,” Raedan said, taking her in his arms again.

She smiled up at him, then pulled his head down and kissed him, her tongue teasing his. He drew her closer, his mouth hot and hungry as he claimed her lips with his.

Abruptly, he put her away from him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I am not supposed to be in your room, remember? And with good reason.” Bowing from the waist, he said, “I will call on you tomorrow evening, Miss Falconer.”

Lily grinned at his formality.

Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm. “I love you, Liliana. Whatever happens in the future, always remember that I love you.”

And with that, he left her standing there, her lips bruised from his kisses, her whole body aching for his touch.

Chapter Eighteen

Varden wandered through New Orleans, his temper rising with every step. Where the hell had the girl gone? He had explored every residential area street by street, every shop, every restaurant, every damn place in the city and there was no sign of her.

Muttering an oath, he went in search of the pretty red-headed vampire he had spoken with before.

He found her in the same club, in the booth she claimed as her own.

She glanced up, one brow raised when she recognized him. “Still here, I see.”

He grunted as he slid into the booth across from her. “Where’d she go?”

“Where did who go?” Claret asked, though she knew perfectly well who he was talking about.

“You know damn well who I’m talking about. I’ve looked everywhere for her. Where is she?”

“How should I know? We aren’t girlfriends, you know. We don’t share secrets.”

His eyes narrowed ominously. “Don’t play games with me.”

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