He waited for a moment, clearly thinking I would move of my own volition.
“Seriously, Darius, I’m good,” I said, staying firmly rooted in the doorway. “I’ve already pulled out some stuff for dinner.” I pushed the door closed a little more. “Thanks for checking up on me, kinda, but I’ve handled much worse. As you know.”
“Come now. Don’t be obtuse.” Darius moved faster than thought. One moment he was in the doorway, and the next I was staring at the void of my front porch.
“That’s breaking and entering,” I said lamely, shutting the door.
When I entered the kitchen, he was swapping out the wine for a more expensive bottle. The things I’d taken out had already been put away.
“Go and take a bath,” he instructed as he rolled up his sleeves, exposing toned forearms. “Relax. Take your time. Dinner will be ready when you return. Would you like a glass of wine to take in with you?”
I opened my mouth to argue, but that did sound good. It wasn’t like I’d be able to get him out of myhouse, anyway. He’d be making dinner whether I wanted him to or not, and I’d eat it, because he was an excellent cook and I was really hungry.
“Snack?” I asked, giving in.
“Of course. I’ll bring something in.”
Chapter Six
Not long after I’d sunk into the large tub in my completely redone bathroom, Darius knocked softly on the door. Since the tub and shower were separate, I didn’t have a shower curtain to pull closed to conceal my nudity.
“Hold on,” I said, sitting up to reach for a towel. Before I could grab it, the door swung open.
Darius carried in a silver tray laden with snack foods and wine. I crossed my legs and jerked my arms over my chest.
He set the tray on the tiled ledge near my head and perched next to it, looking down at me. “You have a beautiful body, Reagan. You should allow me to appreciate it.”
“No.”
His gaze roamed my face, like it had when I’d opened the door earlier, then shifted down to my neck, where it lingered. Hunger flashed in his eyes. Last time he’d looked at me like that, I’d shot him in the leg. Pity I hadn’t thought to take my gun to the bath.
“Nope,” I said. “Not going to happen. And you’re starting to make me uncomfortable, which is the opposite reason of why you’re here.”
“I apologize.” His gaze skimmed down my nude body, the heat in his eyes burning now. “I fed just two days ago, and already I want more,” he murmured. “Of you, specifically. What is this hold you have on me, Reagan?”
“No hold. I’m a naked chick and you’re a creepy dude. Your reaction is pretty standard.”
He shook his head slowly and reached for my face. I would later ponder why I didn’t flinch.
He feathered his thumb along my jaw. “If there is one thing I know from all my years as a vampire, it’s that there is nothing standard about my reactions to you.” His thumb grazed the edge of my bottom lip, burning my flesh. His hand fell away. “I will see to your supper.”
A moment later, he was gone and my body was on fire. Literally. The bath water steamed and started to bubble, my power reacting to my desire.
The guy was too hot for his own good. That was the bottom line. All vampires became more attractive after they were turned, but he was just ridiculous.
An hour later, after I had recovered from my temporary insanity (mostly), soaked, relaxed, and put on a robe, I sauntered into the living room feeling like awhole new me. Darius was lounging on the couch, reading a book. A delicious aroma tickled my nose from the kitchen. I started to salivate.
He looked up when I came within a few feet, and held up the book. “This is garbage, but I can’t stop reading it.”
“Great.” I fell onto the couch and sighed.
“Will you be dressing for dinner?”
“I am dressed for dinner.” I plucked at my robe. “This counts.”
“Are you hungry now, or would you like to make love first?”
“Nice try, Fabio.”
