Page 8 of Bound By Blood

“You should be pleased. He’s a wonderful man.”

“I’m sure he is. He’s got a wonderful daughter.”

“Flatterer.”

“Just callin’ it the way I see it.” He drew her closer, his gaze intent on her face. “Are you feeling what I’m feeling?”

She knew what he meant; she just wasn’t sure she was ready to admit it to herself. Or to him. Things were moving way too fast. She had only known him for a few hours. All she knew for certain was that he was drop-dead gorgeous, danced divinely, and owned a popular casino. Hardly enough on which to base a solid relationship. But somehow, with his arms around her and his devil dark eyes gazing into hers, nothing else seemed to matter.

One song blended into another, and then another, and they continued to dance, making Kaitlyn think he was as reluctant to release her as she was for him to let her go.

They shared several long, lingering glances, though few words were spoken between them.

The other patrons all left the room.

And Zack and Kaitlyn continued to dance, just the two of them, even after the musicians called it a night.

Usually, it made Kaitlyn uncomfortable when men stared at her for too long, but it pleased her that Zack couldn’t stop looking at her, because she couldn’t stop looking at him, either. His eyes were like dark, mysterious pools and she longed to dive in, to swim to the bottom and discover the hidden depths of his soul.

She smiled at her fanciful thoughts.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing you need to know.”

“Is that right?” Zack twirled her around, dipped her once, and drew her into his arms again, his gaze lingering on her lips, sliding down to the pulse throbbing in the hollow of her throat, then back to her delectable lips.

Kaitlyn shivered with anticipation. He was going to kiss her. She could see it in his eyes.

And even then he was lowering his head, claiming her lips with his.

She had never been drunk, never been high on anything, but his kiss made her feel like she was invincible, like she was soaring through rainbow-colored clouds. Like she never wanted to come down.

And it was just one kiss.

She had been right about him, Kaitlyn thought dreamily, one hand pressed to her rapidly beating heart. He was dangerous, in more ways than one.

“Can I see you tomorrow night?” he asked, his voice husky. “Say, around eight?”

Every instinct she possessed warned her that she was treading on shaky ground. As much as she wanted to see him again, she knew she had to refuse. She meant to say no, but the word that emerged from her throat was a breathless “yes.”

Chapter Three

The watcher frowned as he observed Ravenscroft walking the heir to the Sherrad throne home. When had the casino owner and the woman met? Was this just a casual encounter, or something more serious? Did it matter? And how was he to find out?

He muttered a pithy oath. With Zack Ravenscroft in the picture, things had just gotten a lot more complicated.

And a hell of a lot more dangerous.

He shook his head, then flipped open his cell phone and called home.

Chapter Four

Kaitlyn woke feeling bleary-eyed. A glance at the clock showed she had slept later than usual, and it was all Zack Ravenscroft’s fault. Last night, every time she had closed her eyes, his countenance sprang to mind while her vivid imagination painted ever-more erotic scenes of the two of them making mad passionate love in her bed. On the floor. On the kitchen table. In the shower. How was a girl supposed to get any sleep with all those full-color scenarios running rampant in her head?

She would see him again tonight. The thought brought a quick smile to her face and unleashed butterflies of anticipation in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t remember ever being this excited about a date. She could hardly wait!

After showering, she pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt and went into the kitchen. It was too late for lunch, too early for dinner. She couldn’t help grinning when she poured herself a small glass of AB negative. What would Zack think if he knew she was a vampire? Would he be horrified? Shocked? Disbelieving? Intrigued? Or totally turned off. Not that it mattered, because he could never, ever, know the truth. It was forbidden to tell mortals about their kind; still, it was fun to imagine what his reaction would be to the wordvampire.

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