“If I had time, I would ravish every inch of your body,” he crooned. “Alas, I do not.”
I peered up at him. “Then why did you remove my top?”
“I just wanted to see what you looked like wearing nothing but the necklace so I can keep the image in my mind over dinner. You will be my dessert,” he breathed, running a finger down the side my breast. My skin quivered under his touch and my groin ached for him.
“I would prefer to be your entrée,” I said, standing on my tiptoes and kissing the side of his neck. “And your dinner.” I nibbled his earlobe. “And your dessert.”
He moaned and stepped back. “Stop or we won’t make it to dinner, and Rodney will be here any minute.”
“What?” I glanced at the clock.
“He is always early,” Karson answered casually, slipping on a white shirt he had laid on the bed.
“Why?”
“He likes to catch people by surprise,” he said, buttoning up his shirt.
I sighed. “I better finish getting ready, then.” I moved to the drawer and took out a lacy black bra and matching underwear.
“Amelia.” His voice sounded so grave I swung back. “Whatever is said or done tonight, you need to remember is done for a reason.”
“I know, he can’t know you’re in love with me.” I stepped into my underwear.
Karson watched me and almost laughed when I lost balance and had to hop a few times. Then he was serious again. “He knows we are together physically, but he cannot know I have fallen for you.”
I scowled. “He can’t be much of a friend if you don’t trust him.”
He turned away so I couldn’t see his face. “He has his benefits.”
I slipped my bra on. “How do you want me to act, then?”
“Act?” He swung back. “You are a terrible actor, and I do not want you to act at all. If you do, Rodney will know immediately and wonder why. Just be yourself and leave the acting part to me.”
“I can fake it like the best of them, you know.” I crossed my arms. “Dahlia taught me to hide my emotions.”
“Oh yes, Amelia, you are state of the art. Line up for the Oscars.”
I rolled my eyes.
He tucked in his shirt. “Do not even attempt it. I will work on teaching you to hide your emotions tomorrow and how to fight. If that’s the best Dahlia can teach you, I shudder to think how poor your other fighting skills are.”
“You keep that up and I might show you just how they are,” I said lightly, stepping to him and fixing his collar.
He chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on his black boots, so glossy they shimmered like a mirror.
“Just so I understand, I can show I’m in love with you, look at you gooey-eyed, but you are to treat me like I’m just a fling and you don’t think that’s suspicious?”
“I’m a vampire, Amelia, it’s only natural you would adore me.”
I struggled not to laugh. “Oh but of course, how silly of me, how did I ever forget.” I threw my arm over my forehead dramatically. “A lowly human cannot help but fall for your elite immortal charisma.”
“Correct. You are human and I am a vampire, so it’s the natural order of events.” There was no humor in his response, just a statement of fact.
I huffed a laugh. “That was sarcasm.”
He stood up. “I know.” He kissed the side of my head as I heard a car pull into the drive and four doors close. Karson stepped back, his face no longer relaxed but taut with somethingthat looked like apprehension. “I might have to be someone you do not recognize tonight.”
My chest felt tight. “I’ll be fine.”
