Pressing a finger to her lips, Stefan led her onto the dance floor. She wore a gown of lavender lace that, though demure, outlined every delectable curve. A diamond necklace sparkled in the light of a hundred candles, drawing his gaze to her throat. She had left her hair loose around her shoulders, the way he liked it, pinned back on one side and adorned with a purple flower. “I thought it would be wise to arrive after dinner.” His gaze lingered on the pulse in the hollow of her throat. “I thought maybe you would give me a bite?”
She laughed as he twirled her around the floor.
When the song ended, she led him to a secluded corner and tilted her head to the side, giving him access to her throat. She closed her eyes and sighed when he bit her. How strange that something that should have been repulsive felt so wonderful.
She looked up at him when he lifted his head, a low growl rumbling in his throat.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, glancing around.
Stefan studied the three men who had entered the ballroom. Did they intend to attack him here, now?
“Stefan? You’re scaring me.”
He jerked his chin toward the men standing near the doorway. “Those men are hunters.”
“What men? You don’t mean Charles, Mr. Allen and Mr. Sinclair, do you?”
He nodded curtly. “I have seen them here before, speaking with your father.”
“Are you saying…surely you don’t think my father is a vampire hunter?”
“Not anymore.”
She stared up at him. “My father, a hunter? I don’t believe it.”
Stefan shrugged. “’Tis true, nonetheless.” He tensed as Barrett strode toward them.
“Relax, vampire,” he said. “They are here as guests, nothing more.”
Stefan raised a skeptical brow. “Indeed?”
Barrett glanced at his daughter, who was staring at him as if he had suddenly grown two heads. And then he glared at Stefan. “You told her, didn’t you?”
“She has a right to know.”
“If I’d wanted her to know, I would have told her myself.”
“Does my mother know what you do?” Bryony asked, still shocked by Stefan’s revelation.
“Of course not!” Barrett snapped. “And you’re not going to tell her. I’m out of the game now. The past no longer matters.”
With a shake of her head, Bryony grabbed Stefan’s arm and dragged him onto the dance floor.
“Calm down, love,” Stefan said, taking her in his arms. “Nothing is going to happen.”
“I can’t believe it! My father was a hunter? And all this time, none of us knew!”
“It is not the kind of thing people talk about,” Stefan said, drawing her closer. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
His voice, soft and low, wrapped around her, making her forget about her father and think only of Stefan’s kisses. She closed her eyes as he lowered his head to claim her lips with his. For a moment, nothing else mattered, no one else existed, only Stefan, his arms tight around her, his mouth ravaging hers in a soul-shattering kiss.
When he lifted his head, she felt bereft. “Don’t stop.”
He smiled down at her. “The music has ended.”
“Has it?” She glanced around. They were the last couple on the floor. She felt herself blush as he led her from the ballroom.
“Is it safe for you to be here?” she asked, as they moved to the balcony that overlooked the gardens.
