Page 35 of Shadows of Eternity

“Well, I’m not one of them!”

“Leia,” he purred, drawing her into his arms. “I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. Or hurt your feelings.”

“Well, you did.” She had expected tenderness and he’d made jokes about ‘a quickie.’

He put his forefinger under her chin and tilted her head up. “I really am sorry,” he said. “Forgive me?”

How could she refuse when he was looking at her like that, his dark eyes filled with tenderness?

“Let me get some rest and then I’ll take you out for dinner. How does that sound?”

“I was planning to fly home late this afternoon.”

“And now?” His fingertips caressed her cheek, slid down her neck to settle in the hollow of her throat.

Her gaze slid away from his. “I don’t know.”

“Stay,” he coaxed.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with hurt and confusion.

He should have waited a while longer before he made love to her, he thought. But, dammit, she had been warm and willing and he’d been wanting her since the night they met. Still, that was no excuse for taking advantage of her in a weak moment, because she wasn’t the kind of woman who gave her body without giving her heart and soul, as well.

Gripping her shoulders, he pulled her up against him. “I’m crazy about you, Leia. I care for you as I have never cared for anyother woman. And I want you as I’ve wanted no other.” His gaze burned into hers. “Are you still going home?”

“No.”

“I’ll be back at six,” he said, and kissed her until she was weak and breathless. “Six,” he said again, and vanished from her sight.

Afraid her legs wouldn’t hold her any longer, Leia sank down on the edge of the bathtub, her arms folded over her breasts. When her breathing returned to normal, she took a long, hot shower. Then, wrapped in a hotel bathrobe, she went to the window and opened the drapes. Standing there, trying to decide what to have for breakfast, it occurred to her that if she stayed with Rohan, she would never have to worry about what to fix him for breakfast, or for any other meal, for that matter.

Staring into the distance, she wondered if staying with him was the right decision. He hadn’t made any declarations of love last night, or spoken of a future together, although this morning hehadsaid he cared for her. Perhaps vampires couldn’t love the way mortals did. She shook her head. What was she thinking? They had only known each other for a few weeks. Surely it was too soon to talk of love. But not too soon to let him make love to her, she thought wryly. She wasn’t even sure if what she felt for him was love, or merely infatuation for a gorgeous hunk of a man who had only to look at her to make her want him.

Still, she’d had no qualms, no doubts, about anything while in his arms last night. His sheer masculinity had been overpowering, his voice mesmerizing. But he was no ordinary man. She had to remember that. She shivered as she recalled something he had told her. If you decide you want to share your life with me, I’ll go anywhere you want to go, do anything you want to do. But know this, once you’re mine, I’ll never let you go.

It had sounded so romantic when he’d said it, but thinking of it now, it seemed more like a threat. It reminded her of something else he had said, something about his not being able to change what he was, but that, if she stayed with him, it would change her. At the time, she hadn’t thought to ask what those changes might be, but it would probably be wise to find out before she made any permanent commitment.

So much about him she didn’t know. He had told her a little about his past, about how he’d been made a vampire. He had told her what it was like. She had seen some of his supernatural abilities in action, like disappearing from view and being able to read her mind, healing her injuries, drinking from her and making her forget. And yet, he was still a mystery. Was he the man he appeared to be, or was there another side to him, a side he hadn’t let her see?

She stared down at the people on the sidewalk. Ordinary people leading ordinary lives, getting married, having children, worrying about braces for their kids and how to pay the mortgage and the rising price of groceries, with no idea that vampires were real. Or that there was one in their town even now. She watched a young family waiting at the corner to cross the street and wondered if Rohan had preyed on any of them.

With a shake of her head, she turned away from the window, stuffed her belongings into her suitcase, and called the airline to exchange her ticket for an earlier flight.

Chapter Fifteen

Rohan knew she was gone as soon as he walked into the hotel. Muttering under his breath, he went to the front desk.

“May I help you, sir?” the clerk asked.

“Any chance you have a message for me. Rohan Stillwater?”

“Let me check.” He returned a moment later and handed Rohan an envelope. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

“No.” Finding a quiet corner, Rohan opened the envelope and withdrew a sheet of hotel stationery.

Rohan ~

I have a lot to think about and home

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