A Vampire for Christmas(45)

I might.”

She studied his mouth, which was slightly parted, and she could feel the heat of his breath kiss her cheek. So close, yet she didn’t want to kiss him with the cabbie three feet away. She wasn’t stupid. Even the most unsuspecting carried a camera, waiting for opportunity to make a cool bundle on the pictures they could snap of her.

What say we monsters discuss it further at my place?”

The cab rolled to a stop and Daniel glanced up and down the street. “This neighborhood doesn’t fit with my idea of where a star would live. It’s old money and old ladies walking old dogs.”

Exactly. No one ever thinks to look for me here. And New Yorkers are famous for ignoring celebrities, no matter where they see them, which makes for a perfect vacation getaway.” She reached over him and opened the door. “When I take off this gown, I shed Olivia Adorata, the star, and become plain ole me. A girl who wants to help you shed your monster, too. You want to give it a go?”

Having already gotten used to Daniel’s apparent need for long stares, she loved the intensity of the connection. It burned into her and read something in her that even she didn’t know about. Was it a vampire gaze that could seduce her to his will? She didn’t feel as if he were trying to overtake her mind, perhaps only wrestling with his own confused sense of right and wrong. “Are you willing to take the risk?” he finally asked.

She nodded. Probably a wiser response would have been “What are the risks?” but right now all she desired was to slide her hands up Daniel’s rock-hard abs and push him down on her bed.

Risks, be damned.

How was that for a girl who normally had trouble making decisions without her mother’s approval?



OLIVIA LED DANIEL INSIDE the cozy second-floor apartment and flicked on the stove burner to boil water for tea. She couldn’t come down from a performance without chamomile tea. Though other things she had in mind to do—sexy, lustful, naughty things—might have the same effect, by no means would those things calm her.

She’d forgo calm for that option in a heartbeat.

The vampire stood by the door on the rug, looking around, hands shoved in his pockets. He looked too normal. Perhaps that was his most dangerous attribute. Must be easy for him to lure in an unsuspecting woman for a bite.

Having second thoughts?” she asked. Should she be asking herself the same question?

No, she was far from unsuspecting. She was charging into this affair with eyes wide-open and a heart that wanted to learn, love and experience. And this time, she was dressed properly and had makeup on, thanks to a professional stylist.

I’m just trying to figure you out.”

She ran her fingers along the rabbit fur edging the dress’s neckline. “That’s probably dangerous.”

So no strings, no callbacks? Is that how tonight is going to work?”

If that’s what you want.” She didn’t want to be pushy, but it did disappoint her he wasn’t planning for a repeat performance.

Hell, one step at a time, Olivia. You may regret this soon enough.

She strode through the living room, lifting her long, wavy hair to splay it out across the fur. Admittedly, she worked the dress because she sensed Daniel’s eyes take in her figure. Let the seduction begin. She knew what she wanted.

Yet he had become oddly reluctant since crossing her threshold, and that baffled her.

Daniel, you should be right here.” She slid a palm up her stomach, her fingertips stroking the fur that topped her breasts with a soft come-on. She tried her best come-hither look. “What’s the problem?”

He stood before her in a blink, and she wasn’t sure if it had been vampire speed, or just a hungry man being given permission to take as he desired. He pressed a cool hand over her breast and leaned in. “No problem. Just want to be sure we had the rules down before diving in.”

I hate rules.”

I do, too. No man ever made his fortune by following the rules.”

True, but now that you mention it, I do have one. No biting.”

Impossible.” He ducked to nuzzle his nose against her neck, which pricked up her defenses, but also sent a surprising shock of desire skittering across the surface of her skin. “You don’t get to tell a vampire not to bite.”

It’s not that I’m afraid of being bitten.”

Then what?” He licked her neck, chasing those skitters with liquid, warm shivers through her entire body.

Olivia sighed and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him closer so she could feel the hard length of his erection against her hip. Oh, baby, she wanted some of that. But she was anything but reckless. Caution must be weaved into this delicious fantasy or it could become a nightmare.