Single White Vampire (Argeneau #3)(57)

"So do I," Kate responded automatically, suddenly realizing it was true. She did like Lucern. She wasn't sure why, but she did. And it wasn't just his kisses or his importance to her career. She pondered why she liked him as they reached the group of debating writers, and waited for the appropriate moment to let their presence be known.

Lucern had been rude and surly when she'd first arrived on his doorstep, but not rude enough to push her out of his home and send her on her way. Which he'd had every right to do. He'd allowed her to drag him out shopping, followed her uncomplainingly around the grocery store, and eaten her cooking. He had been difficult about those letters, but Kate now understood it hadn't been deliberate.

She recalled reading the letter from the reader asking if Lucern would turn her into a vampire, and Luc's abrupt "no." Then she recalled the letter from the reader who had fallen in love with Etienne, and Lucern's response: "He's taken." At the time, she had thought he was being deliberately difficult, but now it all seemed clear. She almost laughed aloud, though she'd been ready to shriek at him then.

Luc was an honest man, a man of his word. He'd promised to do R.T. and, despite being tricked into thinking it was just an interview, had stuck to his word. He was now attending a conference she knew nothing on earth would have dragged him to if he hadn't given his word. He was a man of honor. He was also very caring and chivalrous. Just look at how he had refused to bite her and cause her pain when he'd been in such need.

Of course, she was beginning to suspect he had a wicked sense of humor beneath his proper fa?ade and all that surliness. Sometimes she caught a glint in his eye—usually when he was being most obtuse—that made her think he was deliberately working her up.

"Oh, hello."

Kate pulled herself from her thoughts and smiled as Jodi greeted her.

"We were thinking of slipping out for lunch while it's slow," Chris said. "Any takers?"

The writers were all on their feet at once, grabbing their stuff. It seemed everyone was ready for a break. Kate smiled at Lucern, who moved to her side and took her arm. The action felt proprietary, almost possessive, but Kate suspected it was just his upbringing. His natural chivalry.

Someone suggested leaving the hotel and getting away from the conference atmosphere for a bit, but Kate felt concern about the sun's effect on Lucern. Seeming to sense her worry, Luc glowered at her. He muttered that he'd be fine; he had his "medicine."

"What medicine?" Jodi asked.

"Lucern has something of an allergy to the sun," Kate explained reluctantly. Then she rushed on to add, "But he has some… er… medicine upstairs, so I'm sure he'll be fine. We can find a restaurant nearby if you guys want."

"No. There's no sense dragging him around while we find someplace. Wouldn't want to make him sick. We haven't eaten in the hotel pub yet. We can try that," Jodi suggested. The other women agreed.

As they made their way down, the other authors began teasing Lucern, commenting that he wrote vampire romances and was allergic to the sun. "Hmm. Perhaps we should watch our necks," Jodi joked.

Kate was horrified. What had she started? She grew quite tense and anxious at the teasing, but Lucern seemed to take it in stride. Eventually, the conversation moved on to other subjects. They reached the pub and were seated.

Lunch was delicious, the company adding to the experience. When they finished, everyone seemed reluctant to leave, so Kate decided a little fun wouldn't go amiss before she herded them all back to the hospitality suite. "Maybe we should check out the other events taking place, here," she suggested.

Jodi pulled out her conference agenda and read the options. There were educational programs for writers, a cooking demonstration called "Cooking with Love," psychic and astrological readings, and dance lessons.

Two of the authors wanted to check out the writers' programs, but they promised they'd drop back into the hospitality suite later. Two more left for the cooking demonstration with the same promise. One wanted to take dance lessons and dragged a groaning Chris off to that. Which left Jodi, Kate and Lucern.

"Well, that leaves the psychic reading and astrology," Jodi announced, folding her agenda and slipping it back in her purse.

"Sounds fun." Kate pushed back her chair to rise. She happened to glance at Lucern, and was surprised to see him looking uncertain. Jodi noticed as well.

"What's the matter, Luc? Scared the psychic will see something bad in your future," the writer teased.

Lucern grimaced. "Or in my past."

He had spoken in his usual surly tone, but there was a teasing glint in his eyes Kate found she was beginning to recognize. Jodi apparently recognized it, too, because she laughed. Still, Kate wondered. Lucern had a long past. Six hundred years. That was a lot of time. She found herself wondering about all the years he'd lived. Had he ever loved someone? Been married? Had children? He was single now—at least he seemed to be. Dear God, she wasn't even sure about that. He might have a wife. He might have kids. He might…

"So, how have you managed to avoid marriage so long, Lucern? Or are you married?" Jodi asked, as if she'd been reading Kate's thoughts. The woman had always had a way of doing that, which made Kate a tad nervous. Perhaps the writer had a touch of psychic ability. Heck, she might even be a mind reader, and know that Lucern was opening Kate's mind to all sorts of possibilities she would have laughed at before. Kate decided she would guard her thoughts around the woman from now on… just to be sure.