Page 19 of Enchant the Dawn

They fell silent for a moment when their dinner arrived.

Maddy grimaced when she saw his sandwich. “Are you sure that steak is cooked?”

“Just the way I like it.”

“I thought you didn’t like blood.”

“Well, there are exceptions.” When she looked away, his gaze moved to her throat. Just one taste, he thought, to see if she was as sweet as he suspected.

* * *

It was the perfect night for a movie under the stars, Maddy thought as they pulled into the theater. The sky was clear, the air was warm. They arrived just as the trailers started.

Dominic found a parking place, killed the ignition, and rolled down the windows. “Do you want popcorn or anything?” he asked.

“Not right now. I’m still full. The new Jurassic World movie looks good. I can’t wait to see it.” She glanced at Dominic. “Chris Pratt,” she said, feigning a swoon. “He’s hot.”

Dominic laughed. He liked her more every time he saw her. And more than any other woman he had ever known. He thought of what Ava had said about drive-ins and grinned. Had he known Maddy better, or longer, he might have suggested they crawl into the back seat and make out like horny teenagers. Because that wasn’t an option, he reached for her hand and held it until the movie was over.

* * *

“Can I see you tomorrow night?” Dominic asked when they reached her front door.

“It’s getting to be a habit,” she said, her eyes twinkling.

Drawing her gently into his arms, he murmured, “One that I don’t want to break.”

“Me either.”

“Seven o’clock good for you?”

“Six would be better.”

“Anxious, huh?”

She laughed softly. “Should I play hard to get?”

“No.” He pulled her closer, his gaze caressing her before he kissed her, long and slow, as if they had all the time in the world.

She was breathless when he lifted his head, her heart beating double time.

“Maybe five o’clock,” he muttered as he released her. “I don’t think I can wait until six. Good night, Maddy.”

“’Night.” She watched him descend the porch steps and slide behind the wheel of the Camaro. She smiled and waved when he blew her a kiss.

Lordy, but she had it bad, she thought as she went inside and closed the door. How was she going to wait until tomorrow night to see him again?

Chapter 9

Jasper ghosted through the streets of New Orleans and the surrounding towns, looking everywhere he could think for the Hungarian vampire the Elder Knight was seeking. He found a few Transylvanian bloodsuckers, but he had no interest in them, although he destroyed a couple of the younger, weaker ones.

And then his luck changed, and he found a Hungarian vampire bending over a young woman. Hoping it was the right one, he donned his invisibility cloak and sprang at the vampire. A moment later, the creature was his prisoner, his wrists bound by silver manacles, a noose coated with silver around his neck.

Jasper paused a moment, trying to decide who he was more afraid of—the Elder Knight or the witch. In the end, his fear of Gregory’s retribution won.

Murmuring the words of his favorite transportation spell, Jasper transported himself and the vampire to the stronghold of the Knights of the Dark Wood.

* * *

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