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Chapter 10
Fuck it.
He’d spent all evening watching Toni sip her wine and resisting the urge to pull her up out of her chair and kiss her sweet lips. He’d never been more jealous of a glass in his life.
They were attracted to each other. Desperately so. Lawrence had known that from the very first moment they met. But that didn’t mean the timing was right. In fact, it was horrendous. After more than seven centuries, Lawrence had learned a thing or two about women, both human and vampire, and he knew without a doubt Toni was not ready.
Despite knowing better, he found himself reaching out to cup the back of her head and pull her toward him. His lips were on hers so quickly, Lawrence knew he’d startled them both.
It was too late now for regrets.
The woman who’d tormented him all summer now kissed him back greedily. When her arms wrapped around him, Lawrence did not hold back. He swept his tongue inside her mouth, capturing hers in a tango older than he was. Relishing in the soft warmth of her, he pulled her even closer, his mouth slanting over hers.
Their pace frantic, as if they’d be split apart by an invisible force at any moment, he and Toni threatened to consume each other.
Surprisingly, it was he who pulled away.
“I’m sorry,” he said. Then qualified, “Though not for kissing you.”
He took a step back before he changed his mind. As if any distance would cool the desire that threatened to push aside the gentleman he was raised to be.
“Then what are you sorry for?”
Toni looked like a woman who had been thoroughly kissed.
“That I did it so soon.”
If she appeared confused, he was even more so.
“I know you’re not ready for this—”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’ve been there before.”
“Many times, I bet?”
He’d like to say no, but he’d be lying. Most experiences—good or bad—weren’t novel to him. Such was the nature of an eternal life. “A few.”
Toni frowned.
“Once, she was my wife.”
“You were . . . married? Alessandra never mentioned it.”
“Because she doesn’t know.” He smiled. “I don’t share everything with her.”
But I want to share everything with you.
The thought, unwelcome and unbidden, was nevertheless true. Her passion, her utter lack of guile, her ability to effortlessly draw people into her orbit . . . She made him feel as if he hadn’t been in love before—as if this were the very first time a woman had captivated him.
But he couldn’t let the timing come between them. He didn’t want their first time together to be tainted by any memories of Tyler.
“Don’t do that.”
She was staring at his mouth, and Lord help him, Lawrence had only so much resistance remaining. His pants were as tight as every other muscle in his body.
“I just . . .” She shrugged and tried to walk past him.
