Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(10)

He’d met Anthony in Paris when the FRU had sent him there to protect Miranda. Anthony had met Tabitha in Paris, had liked her, and had come to

live in Texas in obvious hopes of them developing a relationship. Her high-priestess title, if not her attractiveness, made her a desirable

choice for a life mate.

Shawn, however, found her sister much more desirable. Miranda, a friend of his younger sister, had been on his radar for years. And it wasn’t

just because she was hot, it was … He couldn’t define it, but Miranda had something … something sweet and so unpretentious that she stood

out from all the women he’d ever met. Anthony could have Tabitha.

Or maybe not. Because unfortunately for the European traveler, Miranda had told him that Tabitha’s mom was against her daughter dating anyone

who wasn’t a warlock.

Not that he blamed Tabitha’s mom. He’d made up his own mind to marry in his own species. Not because he disliked or held any prejudices

toward others, but …

“Ah, I forget American men shy away from physical contact.” While Anthony still carried a touch of an accent, his English had immensely

improved from nine months ago. The guy had no doubt worked hard. Shawn admired him for that.

“A handshake will do.” Shawn offered his hand.

They shook. “The girls not here?” Shawn asked.

“Tabitha texted me and said she and Miranda might arrive late.”

“Okay,” Shawn pushed away his niggling guilt for letting his mother persuade him into staying for the repeated lecture. “Did they say how

late?”

“No,” he said.

Right then Shawn spotted the jewelry store next door. Perfect.

“Do you mind if we walk next door while we wait for them?”

“Not at all.” The bell on the door announced them. A pretty girl from behind the counter greeted them. Shawn went straight to checking her

pattern.

He noted she wasn’t all human, but part vampire, witch, and shape-shifter. His nod included a little extra enthusiasm to let her know he wasn

’t here to cause trouble.

Her widening smile told him she understood.

“You are in the market for some jewelry?” Anthony’s question pulled Shawn away from the girl.

“I’m looking for something for Miranda.”

“An engagement ring?” Surprise heightened his voice and his accent.

“No. Just a necklace or something.” They walked to the glass countertops. “Something that shows how I feel about her.”

“And what do you feel?” the store clerk asked, not at all embarrassed at eavesdropping. She smiled again and he noted the dimple in her right

cheek seemed to wink at him. “If I know how you feel, I might be able to point you to the right item.”

A tad uncomfortable with stating his feelings, he considered changing the subject, but why? “I like her.”

The girl tilted her head to the side, sending her brown hair sweeping across her right shoulder. It looked soft and touchable. “Like?”

The question caught him off guard, or maybe it was the girl’s bare shoulder. The red tank top she wore left plenty of skin visible. “Yes, I

like her. A lot.” A touch of guilt pulled at his gut, no doubt from appreciating the girl when he’d come here to buy something for Miranda—

who had really nice shoulders as well.

“But it’s not love yet?” Her soft brown eyes twinkled with tease. “Which I suppose is good news for all the single girls admiring you from

afar.”

His face heated slightly from embarrassment. “It’s almost love.” And it was, he cared about Miranda.

She chuckled, a flirty feminine giggle that pulled a smile from him even when he wished it hadn’t. Then she leaned in and whispered. “Is she

Wiccan?”

“Yes.” The girl’s soft perfume filled his air.

“I have some pieces with touches of Wicca influence. Let me pull a few.”

When he realized his gaze followed her as she moved, he looked away. Since he’d started dating Miranda, he’d lived the life of a monk. Not

that he was complaining. She deserved to take her time. That said, he was really looking forward to their weekend together and was thrilled

that Miranda seemed to finally be ready to take things to the next level.

He wanted the weekend to go perfect. She deserved perfect.

Anthony chuckled. “I do say, the pheromones are flowing. I think she likes you, too.” He looked to the door where the clerk had disappeared.

Shit! Shawn had forgotten he was with a vampire whose damn nose didn’t miss anything.

“No,” he denied, too quickly.

Anthony lifted one brow as if hearing the lie in Shawn’s heart.

“She’s attractive, but she’s not … Miranda.”

He laughed. “No worries. I do not judge. The heart does not stop the eyes from noting, it simply stops one from following their gaze.”

“Right,” Shawn said.

“But it is not love yet?” Anthony asked as if recalling Shawn’s words to the clerk.

“It’s close.” Shawn frowned. “Miranda wanted to take it slow.”