Page 12 of Shadows of Eternity

“Why not?”

“I broke up with a guy not long ago. I haven’t been ready to plunge into the dating scene again.”

One brow arched. “Oh? You’re out with me.”

She felt a flush stain her cheeks. “Well … ”

“Go on.”

“It’s kind of a thrill, being seen with someone famous,” she admitted, and felt her cheeks grow hotter. “I guess I’m a little star-struck.”

His laugh made her stomach curl with pleasure. “I’m hardly a star.”

“But youarefamous.”

“I suppose. So, if I was just some guy on a dating app, you would have said no?”

“Definitely. That’s how I met Ben.”

“Ah, the ex-lover.”

“We weren’t lovers,” she said quickly. “How about you? What do you like to do when you’re not dancing? Or hunting?”

“I enjoy being with a beautiful woman, like you,” he said, his voice low and seductive. “Let’s dance.”

Rising, he took her hand in his and led her onto the dance floor. Since he danced for a living, it was no surprise that he was light on his feet. As before, she had no trouble at all following his lead. She felt small and feminine in his arms. She had never been so aware of a man before. Or so aware that she was a woman.

They danced and talked for hours. Leia found herself telling him how she had always envied her friends who had lots of brothers and sisters and how she had always wished she had a sister to share secrets with.

“I’m lucky to have Janae,” Leia confided while sitting at their table. “She’s like the sister I never had. I can tell heranything.” She smothered a yawn as she glanced at her phone. “Merciful heavens, look at the time. It’s almost one.”

“The shank of the evening,” Rohan murmured.

“What?”

“You’re right, it’s late. Come on, I’ll take you home.”

Leia nodded, although she hated to see the evening end. He was so easy to talk to.

At home, he walked her to the door. “Okay if I kiss you good night?”

She smiled up at him. Emboldened by the drinks she’d had, she whispered, “I was hoping you would.”

Leia swayed against him when Rohan took her gently into his arms, her eyelids fluttering down as his mouth covered hers.

Lost in his thrall, she was oblivious to his tongue laving the tender skin beneath her ear, and the prick of his fangs against her throat.

Smothering his guilt, he took only a little, wiped the memory from her mind, and kissed her again. “Can I see you Monday night? Same time as this evening?”

“Yes,” she murmured.

“Until then.” He kissed her one more time and bid her good night.

Still caught up in the magic of his kisses, she opened the door, floated inside, and went up to bed.

Leia groaned as the ringing of her cell phone roused her from a wonderful dream. She answered on the second ring with a grumpy, “Hello.”

“Are you still asleep?” Janae asked. “Good grief, girl, it’s almost noon.”

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