Prologue
Rune Ferguson was getting lucky tonight.
He hoped, anyway.
After three weeks, he’d finally invited Audrey over for dinner. He’d planned a simple meal of coq au vin, roasted potatoes, and a fresh green salad. Since his baking skills were horrible, he’d ordered an apple tart from a local bakery that he enjoyed.
The chicken was simmering on the stovetop and smelled delicious. The wine was chilling in the fridge.
He’d bought some short white candles and a bouquet of flowers in a squat vase, and then he’d arranged them in the center of his kitchen table. He’d forgotten the tablecloth, but the table still looked nice.
As far as setting the mood went, he thought he’d done a good job.
It had been a long while since he’d found a woman, he liked enough that he wanted a second date. It had been even longer since he’d found a woman he wanted in his home.
Audrey was intelligent and attractive. And a vampire.
He enjoyed her company and she understood him because they were the same.
Vampires always had trouble finding mates in the human realm unless they wanted to turn a human. That was something Rune had absolutely no interest in.
The last time he’d taken a chance and revealed himself to a human woman had been right after those books had come out. She seemed excited about the idea that he was a vampire but was quickly disappointed when she learned that he wasn’t much different than a typical guy.
Erasing her memories of him had been tricky but necessary. Especially after he caught her trying to take a picture of him for her blog.
After that, he’d decided no more humans unless they already knew about vampires.
Yes, Audrey was exactly what he needed. Hopefully, tonight, they would take the next step in their relationship.
He ran upstairs to his bedroom, checked his hair, and brushed his teeth.
He was just finishing up when the doorbell rang. Audrey was right on time.
Rune ran back down the stairs and opened the door, a smile on his face.
Audrey stood on his porch, her short brown hair in a sleek, chin-length style, and her slender body draped in a pink cotton dress and white cardigan.
“Hi, Audrey,” he greeted. “You look lovely.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Thank you.” She inhaled. “Something smells delicious.”
“Dinner should be ready soon.” He stepped back. “Please come in.”
Audrey stepped over the threshold and paused just inside the door. “Oh, my. Um, your house is…interesting.”
Rune shrugged before he shut the door. “It’s a little sparse right now. I haven’t had a chance to finish decorating.”
“Finish? So, you’re doing your own decorating?”
“Yeah,” he said with a smile. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
Audrey stopped looking around with wide eyes. “That sounds great.”
“Let’s go into the kitchen and you can watch me finish dinner,” he said with a wink.
“You made it yourself?” she asked, sounding surprised.
“Sure. Cooking, decorating, my skills are phenomenal in both areas.”
