Page 100 of Her Dark Knight

“Apparently the lady doesn’t want to dance with you.”He shoved the man toward his security.“Take him out and don’t let him come back.Ever.”

“What?Hey!I was just—”

But Christien wasn’t listening.He was staring at Madelaine, soaking up the vision of her standing in his nightclub.Seven hundred years without her.It felt like an eternity and yet merely yesterday that he held her in his arms.

His breathing hitched and suddenly he was afraid.He, a man who’d lived seven centuries twice, who’d been waiting for this moment forever, couldn’t move.Could barely breathe.He reached out a hand to her, then let it drop to his side, forcing himself to stay where he was.To keep from snatching her up and carrying her away.

He had to go slow, when all he wanted to do was race to her.

His throat closed up, emotions battering him.

Madelaine brushed at her wet shirt, pushed the hair out of her face and looked up at him.Those cinnamon-colored eyes he’d dreamt about for centuries widened.

“Do I know you?”

Christien swallowed.“I…” He forced himself to smile and hold out his hand for her to take.His fingers shook.Was she the same Madelaine?She’d lived a different life, not exactly the same as the last.Had that changed her in some fundamental way?

“My name is Christien Chevalier.”

She stared at his hand for a long time.The crowd around them didn’t move, the music didn’t start up, but Christien refused to think about them.This was about him and Madelaine.

Confusion, excitement and fear crossed her face.Slowly she raised her hand and wrapped her fingers in his.Christien let out his breath and his knees went weak.He battled the tears building in his throat.Her touch made his soul sing.

Recognition flared in her eyes and she tilted her head.“We’ve met before.”

His lips twitched but he held back his smile.He suddenly felt light.Weightless.

He drew her to him.She came easily enough, her brows creased.“I can’t recall when.”

The rotating lights of the disco ball above them reflected off her necklace.A silver-and-diamond key.

“Have you ever been to France?”he asked, pulling his gaze from the key.

“Hardly.”She laughed and his uncertainty gave way to hope and love.He resisted the urge to take her in his arms, even though he ached to.Slow.He had to take things slowly.Mon Dieu,he had no idea how he was going to do that.

Gently he tugged on her hand until she was at his side, her lavender scent surrounding him.“Come, Madelaine.Let me tell you a story.”