“You’re right of course. At the risk of sounding like a walking contradiction, does anyone fall in love the old-fashioned way these days?” This said by a woman who had zero prospects of her own.
“What about Willow? She fell in love the old fashion way.” Saje pointed out. Their mutual friend and former coven mate was about to tie the knot to her gorgeous special agent boyfriend.
Alex proposed to Willow a few months back. Now their engagement party was just a week away, and Gillian still didn’t have a date. But Willow wasn’t the only one who’d been brought to her knees by the L word. Saje had fallen ass over elbow in love with one of Alex’s coworkers.
Gillian wasn’t sure what was flowing through the water of Raven’s Hollow these days. But it seemed like all of her friends were pairing off and blissfully happy. The click-clack of heels made her glance over her shoulder, catching the eye of the event hostess for the evening. “Almost ready to go?”
“I just need a minute.” Brooke walked up to their table looking like the picture of class in a red sheath dress and matching Louboutin’s. Her wavy blonde hair was pulled up in an elegant chignon. With her fresh face, blue eyes, and fair skin, Brooke was Gillian’s polar opposite. Gillian embraced her olive skin, dark eyes, and wavy, brown hair, grateful she’d inherited something from her mom.
Her cousin set down her tote bag, then reached inside to pull out score sheets and name tags. “Since you two are speed dating virgins, I want to give you a quick run-through of what to expect,” Brooke said with a bemused expression. “Once the guests have arrived, and the format is explained to them, each person will get a tarot card and a sample love potion—at which point they can embark on their dates.”
Even if Gillian wasn’t thrilled about the choice of tonight’s venue, she still planned to benefit from the publicity this event would bring for the shop and her charity. Having a corporate sponsor would be a huge boon on both fronts.
As much as she loved working at the shop, she needed to branch out on her own. She’d become too dependent on her friends. It was time to spread her wings and fly. Her ultimate goal was to combine her communications background with her gift for the tarot and launch a weekly radio show, which was slowly turning into an all-out obsession. She loved helping people realize their potential in love, career, and relationships through her readings. And radio was a great medium to reach a large audience. Hopefully, tonight would help her take a step in that direction.
“Crap, I forgot the decorations,” Brooke shouted, pulling Gillian out of her fog.
“I’ve got them right here.” Saje set the plastic bag on the table. The sound of voices drifted over from the bar. People lined up and made their way toward the tables. Everyone looked excited, some a little terrified; not that Gillian could blame them.
“Let me get those for you. Why don’t you greet the guests?” Gillian whispered to Brooke. With one hand full of streamers, Gillian reached inside the bag for the scissors and tape. After she climbed on top of a chair, she twisted the ends and taped them around a wooden pillar.
Suddenly, all the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Her whole body tensed. The chatter and music became muffled. Her eyes flickered across the lobby in search of who, or what, had caught her attention.
Then she sawhim.
Six-feet-three inches of tall, dark, and brooding stood at the front desk. Detective Garrett Mulroney?What the hell was he doing here? Seeing him again after all these months sent a jolt of shock rippling through her.
His gaze locked with hers, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. They both stood there, staring at each other. It was as though he could see beneath her armor, the kind she wore under the little black dress.
The word handsome didn’t even begin to describe him. Mythological titans like Adonis and Poseidon came to mind, males so stunning, they couldn’t possibly be real. But then she thought of other words too, like arrogant, brash…controlling…she could go on.
Mulroney crossed the lobby with a confidant gait, his long legs eating up the distance between them in a few easy strides. Her heart hammered in her chest with every step.
Every female head turned to catch a glimpse of the vampire. The closer he got, the more her body became hyperaware of his presence. He kept his thick head of dark hair short on the sides and longer in the front. The cut showed off the angles and hard lines of his face. Sexy stubble darkened a square jaw, and he looked every bit as dangerous as she remembered. Long, and lean, Gillian could make out the ripple of sinewy muscle beneath the jacket of his grey suit. In the past, she’d always been attracted to the artistic types. So, there was no good reason why she was drawn to this rough-hewn alpha.
But Goddess help her, he was magnificent.
Laughter drifted from the bar, and that’s when she realized she was still standing on a chair, gawking at him like some lovesick schoolgirl. She went to step down and her foot slipped out from one of her strappy sandals. Before she could fall sideways onto the marble, two strong arms wrapped around her waist and caught her in midair.
When she looked up and into Mulroney’s ice-blue eyes, her heart gave a little flutter. Apparently, the legends about vampires having preternatural speed and strength were real. But then, as his gaze filled with a kind of raw, primal desire, she had no doubt the steamy ones about them possessing a certain sexual allure also rang true.
“You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck,” Mulroney whispered close to her ear and set her on her feet. “What are you doing here tonight, Miss Howe?” The deep rumble of his voice did funny things to her insides.
“I could ask you the same question.” Gillian grabbed the scissors and scotch tape off the table, then shoved them in her black beaded bag. “If you must know, I’m working,” Gillian snapped. Ever since the prickly detective had been assigned to investigate the robbery of one of her clients, a local antique dealer, their paths had collided on more than one occasion.
Mulroney’s eyes did a slow sweep of her from the tips of her three-inch heels to the top of her head. Goosebumps instantly spread across her flesh. Gillian wanted to squirm from the flagrant perusal, but remained still, refusing to give him the satisfaction. Why would she? After all, he had tried to ruin her life. “Interesting work attire,” he murmured.
Her hands clenched at her sides, fighting the urge to tug on her dress again. “I’m sure you didn’t walk over here to comment on my choice of clothing. To what do I owe the unexpectedpleasure?” she asked with a healthy dose of sarcasm.
“Trust me, this wasn’t planned,” he said in a gruff voice, refusing to look her in the eye.
Gillian couldn’t help remembering the day he and his partner had showed up at the coven. Peppering her with questions and unwarranted accusations, they’d invaded her safe space, conjuring that too familiar lash of shame, and reminding her of the days when the neighbors used to call the cops to keep her parents from an all-out war.
He kept his hands stuffed in his pockets, his stance casual, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. There was no mistaking the predatory way he kept checking out the people strolling by as only a cop would. She followed his gaze as it took in every detail, restless with intensity, before finally landing on their banner. “Is this a private fundraiser?”
She nodded, not in the mood to elaborate. “Are you here in an official capacity? What’s the matter, no real criminals on the streets tonight?” Or maybe this was personal and he was meeting someone. He’d worked with Alex on several cases, and according to Willow, he was a confirmed bachelor, not that she had inquired or anything.
“A quick word, please, Miss Howe. We need to talk.” The object of her unhealthy obsession ignored her questions and reached for her elbow, pulling her off to the side. His touch seared through the thin material of her dress, leaving a hot flush along her skin. At five-foot-seven, she wasn’t exactly short, but even in her heels, he towered over her.
