Page 61 of Enchant the Dawn

“Depends on what you’re going to buy.”

“I was thinking of having steak for dinner. If you want to stay, that is.”

“What do you think?” Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he stood and reached for his shirt.

* * *

Dominic hadn’t been inside a grocery store for a good long time. At home, the house and pretty much everything that went on there was his mother’s realm. Sure, she had sent him to the market from time to time when he was a teenager, but that had been ten or twelve years ago, and then usually only for milk or bread and butter.

Trailing after Maddy was a whole new experience, one he thoroughly enjoyed, he thought, as he admired the provocative sway of her hips. She was a careful shopper, checking prices, looking for specials. She bought a lot of fruits and vegetables, as well as eggs, milk, and bread. At the meat counter, she selected a couple of thick rib eye steaks. She also picked up a quart of Neapolitan ice cream, a can of whipped cream, and a bag of candy. Sweets for the sweet.

Maddy was keenly aware of Dominic trailing behind her. She had never gone shopping with a man in tow before—especially a vampire—and she wondered what he was thinking.

She had no trouble knowing what the other women in the store were thinking, though. One and all, every woman over the age of puberty slowed to look at Dominic. She glared at a pretty young woman who smiled at him, felt a hot rush of jealousy when he smiled back.

She chided herself for feeling that way. He was a handsome man. It was only natural that other women would check him out. There was no harm in looking. Heck, she would have done the same.

He followed her to the checkout line, and she felt another sharp stab of jealousy when the female checker smiled and batted her big blue eyes at him.

Dominic grinned inwardly, pleased and amused by Maddy’s reaction.

He insisted on paying the bill even though she assured him it wasn’t necessary.

“Hey, you’re doing the cooking. It’s only fair that I pay for the meal.”

Outside, he loaded the groceries into the Mustang’s trunk. When he opened the driver’s side door, she handed him the keys. “Why don’t you drive?”

“Sure, if you want.”

With a smile, she went around to the passenger side. “I’m curious about something,” she said as he pulled out of the parking lot.

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Everywhere we go, women stare at you. I know you’re a good-looking guy, but I can’t help wondering if you’re purposely exerting some kind of vampire voodoo on them.”

“Vampire voodoo?” he said with a grin. “No way. I’m just sexy as hell. Haven’t you noticed?”

“Conceited much?” she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

“Hey, I’m kidding. It’s just part of what I am. It’s a little hard to explain.”

She frowned at him. “So, they have no choice?”

“Of course they do. Maybe not initially. Mortals have a natural attraction to vampires of the opposite sex. It makes it easier for us to . . .” His voice trailed off. He probably shouldn’t be telling her any of this.

“Easier to what?”

“To entice them.”

Her brows went up. “So, this is all about seduction,” she said, and then frowned. “Does that mean my feelings for you aren’t my own?”

“The initial attraction doesn’t last longer than a few minutes. Believe me, whatever feelings you have for me now are yours. The initial attraction just makes it easier to . . .” He raked his fingers through his hair. “It helps to . . .” Damn, this was harder than he’d thought.

She stared at him a moment and then understood. “It makes it easier for you to . . . to prey on them.”

He nodded curtly.

Looking thoughtful, Maddy settled back in her seat. She guessed it made sense. Lots of animal predators had an innate allure to their prey. Why not vampires?

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