Page 97
Literally.
He didn’t touch her or even attempt to come any closer. But she could smell him and almost feel him despite the fact that they weren’t touching.
There were so many impediments between them, namely that he still hated what she was. Could two people be together under such circumstances?
“So many things between us—”
He reached for her hand and pulled her to standing.
“Name one.”
With his other hand, Kenton flipped open his wallet, tossed a hundred-dollar bill on the table, and tucked it back into his wickedly hot jeans.
She liked him better this way. And suspected this was how he normally dressed, when he wasn’t trying to pretend he was only a centuries-old vampire, ruthless and cunning.
“You wanted to kill me.”
She let him wind his fingers through hers.
“And likely will again at some point,” he said with a grin.
She laughed, unable to help it. The promise of a future made her stomach flutter. Still, she made herself say, “You lied to me.”
He led her through the growing crowd, gripping her hand as if he’d never let go.
“A mistake I will never, ever repeat.”
They’d walked out into the cooler than usual night.
Kenton stopped, forcing her to do the same.
“I vow,” he said, looking her in the eyes with such intensity it made her want to turn away, “on the honor instilled in me as a young knight . . . I will never lie to you again, Alessandra Fiore.”
She believed him.
Stupidly?
No, with a full awareness of his limitations . . . and hers.
“You hate what I am,” she said, bringing up the most pressing problem.
This time, he was slower to answer.
“And have fallen in love with you despite it,” he answered finally. “The only promise I can make is to keep an open mind. We can figure out the rest together.”
The courthouse came into view, its large clock tower a beacon in the darkness.
“What other objections do you have, love?”
They were walking toward Kenton’s house. Neither spoke as they climbed the stairs to the street above. The Henry Hutton Mansion came into view, candles lighting its windows, a majestic throwback to a different era.
“I worked hard to get this PhD and am excited to teach”—she emphasized the next word—“here.”
Alessandra had fallen in love with Stone Haven and did not want to leave her new home. At least not yet.
“Just think of the lessons I can give you each night when you return home.”
She swallowed.
