A Vampire for Christmas(101)

He teased her with a soft nibble of her lower lip before getting down to business. Okay, it was time for her to join in the fun. She circled his neck with her hands and leaned in close. When he smiled against her mouth, she grew more adventurous and touched her tongue to his lips.

It was as if she’d touched a match to tinder. His tongue swept in and conquered her mouth, staking a claim, making her wish they were someplace a lot more private. This couldn’t go on much longer. She knew it. Hopefully he knew it, too. But for the duration, she was determined to enjoy every second.

Ahem!”

Someone nearby cleared her throat and then did it again. No doubt Lupe. Eagan broke off the kiss long enough to glare at the woman before picking up right where he’d left off. But then he gentled the kiss, slowly banking the fire, leaving only a few softly glowing embers when he stepped back at last.

I guess we showed them,” Eagan said for the benefit of their audience. Then leaned close enough to whisper near her ear, “And us.”

Her face was as red as her T-shirt when she bowed to acknowledge everybody’s applause. Rather than look Eagan in the eye, she kept her attention focused on the others in the room. “Okay, then, I guess it’s time to break out the eggnog!”

Everyone applauded again and retreated to their tables while she made a beeline for the kitchen. The eggnog was only an excuse to give herself a few seconds to catch her breath. Leaning her forehead against the cool stainless steel of the fridge, she waited for her pulse to slow down to normal.

That man should come with a warning sign pinned to his shirt. If his casual kiss was that potent, how overwhelming would it be if he’d really meant it?

And darned if she didn’t want to find out.

Della, are you all right?”

Darn it, she’d forgotten all about Daniel coming in to work. She straightened up and opened the refrigerator. “I’m fine. Just a bit of a headache.”

Did you take something for it?”

Not yet, but I will if it gets worse. How about you? How was school today?”

Okay I guess.”

He started scrubbing one of her baking pans with renewed gusto, a clear sign he didn’t want her to pursue that line of questioning any further. Too bad. He might have a mother, but the woman was overworked and had three other kids to worry about. As Daniel’s employer, Della claimed the right to do some nagging of her own.

Why did you blow off school?”

His shoulders sagged, but he didn’t respond, telling her she’d been right on target. It would be one thing if this was the first time he’d skipped, but it wasn’t. She knew for a fact he’d been spotted hanging around the neighborhood during school hours at least twice in the past month.

She started pouring cups of eggnog. “Is something going on that I can help you with?”

I’m handling it.”

He rinsed the pan and reached for the next one. Odd that he still had on his hoodie despite the heat in the kitchen. She couldn’t very well demand he take it off, but it bothered her even if she couldn’t quite figure out why.

When you finish with those, you can call it quits for the night if you’d like. I’ll run the dishwasher one last time when everyone is gone.”

She picked up the tray. “I’m going to close up early tonight. It’s been slow all evening, and I’m tired.”

Not really, since Eagan’s kiss had left her feeling buzzed, but it was the only excuse she could think of on short notice to give the boy a break.

That he didn’t argue indicated just how tired he really was. “If you’re sure.”

I am, but promise me you’ll go straight home and get some sleep.”

Will do. I’ve got homework, but that won’t take long.”

She’d done all she could to help without talking to Daniel’s mom. He wouldn’t appreciate her going behind his back, but she would if that’s what it took to get him back on track. Crossing her fingers that it wouldn’t come to that, she headed back out to the dining room.

Eagan was nowhere in sight, a good thing. Harry was still looking pretty proud of himself, but Lupe clearly wasn’t happy. Too bad. It was just a kiss. Well, not just, but it wasn’t as if it was going to happen again.

At best she suspected Eagan might be up for a brief fling, but she wouldn’t risk her heart on a man who wouldn’t stick around. She was looking for a man who would build a life and a family with her. Since her mother’s death ten years ago, Della had been alone. Her friends here at the diner helped fill in the gap, but it wasn’t the same as having a man who loved her and would give her children. Unfortunately, Eagan wore his solitude like a second skin.