Page 21 of Last Shot at Love

The guy gave me an abashed grin. “I thought about waiting for you to awaken naturally, but figured I would come across as a creeper sitting in the corner watching you. So I decided it was best to wake you. Unfortunately, clearing my throat, coughing, and even speaking didn’t rouse you. You must have been sleeping well.”

“It’s fine.” My throat was tight. Not from fear but from something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

I was betting at least part of it was due to the fact that this man could have played a Greek god in a blockbuster film, and the team wouldn’t have needed to use any special effects on him.

His tan skin shimmered and glowed as though reflecting the waning light coming through the open doors.

The chiseled angles of his jaw and cheekbones, combined with his Romanesque nose, gave him a sculpture-like beauty. He was so perfect that I bet he pulled people to him like a spider drawing its prey into a web.

And did I mention he was butt-freaking-naked?

I shouldn’t keep staring, but I couldn’t seem to find the strength to look away.

Pull yourself together. I gave myself a little shake.

Hades! I’d grown up around vampires, a species known for their exotic beauty, so I should have immunity to it. So why was he affecting me so much?

The fine lines around his eyes and the slightly sharper angles of his face told me he was no longer in his twenties. Yet, his looks and easy-going vibe reminded me of the thousands of sandy-haired surfers who flocked to beaches around the world.

This man was aging like a fine wine. He was the type of guy who could wear a suit and look like distinguished royalty rather than like a washed-up hippie.

Which might create a problem for me.

I’d never be able to take this man to a business meeting because there wasn’t an eye in the room, male or female, who’d be able to look away from his beauty… I still hadn’t managed to drag my gaze from him.

The whole point of accepting the arranged partnership was so I could get people’s focus off my personal life and keep their attention on business matters…. and there was no way that would happen if I showed up with the real-life version of a certain ridiculously handsome squid in a TV episode of a popular kid’s show.

His brow furrowed. “Does my appearance displease you?”

I slowly shook my head. “You’re gorgeous. It’s just… Well, if I find you this distracting, I can’t imagine what would happen if I took you to a business meeting. How often do people drool on you?”

The man chuckled. “Darling, if you’re worried about me stealing your thunder, you needn’t worry. I’m an expert at blending in, the king of wall-anemones.”

“You mean wallflowers?” I asked.

“Oh, yes. Wallflowers. It is an ability my kind excels at.” His words were smooth, rising and falling like the waves of the sea. “Besides, I can’t imagine I’d be noticed in a room with a woman as beautiful as you.”

An unfamiliar sensation bubbled in my chest. Was it heartburn? Hiccups?

No, it was pleasure.

He thought I was beautiful.

I’d spent my life frustrated with men flirting with me, yet I was delighted with his compliment. Catching my bottom lip between my teeth, I chewed on it, trying to work through my odd reaction to him.

Lifting my gaze back to his face, I watched his eyes slide to my mouth, and for a moment, a blue color seemed to flash beneath his skin. It happened so fast I thought I might have imagined it.

“What are you?” I asked, suddenly curious.

His royal blue eyes met mine. “An octopus shifter. And you?”

“Vampire.” I studied his reaction, looking for any sign of disgust.

P-Harmony made each applicant fill out long questionnaires to aid in creating a perfect match. So, although we didn’t choose what species we were to be matched with, they wouldn’t have matched us together if he had a problem with vampires.

“I’ve never met a vampire before.” There was no judgment in his tone, only open interest.

“Would you like me to give you a quick rundown?” I pushed myself into a sitting position, bracing my back against the headboard.

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