Page 3 of Vampire so Virtuous
Stefan didn’t seem to take offense. “I think I know exactly what you need.”
Silence hung too long in the air, the kind begging her to say something—anything—to fill the space. Cally wasn’t sure which she felt more: the pressure of his eyes on her or the unavoidable realization this evening was a total loss.
Give him enough rope…
“What’s that then?”
“Someone you can look up to,” Stefan said, full of his own conceit. “A strong woman like you needs an alpha like me.”
She blinked twice, then went with it. “Oh! You’re analpha?”
His smug pride was evident. “That’s what they tell me.”
“Oh indeed.”Would it be too much to flutter my eyelashes?“Assertive, confident, the leader of the group?”
“Exactly. Dominant and capable. A provider.” His gaze flicked down to her lips and then back to her eyes. “Well-paid, too.”
“Sofascinating. You must have your pick of women.”
He gave a little self-deprecating chuckle with all the sincerity of a celebrity apology video. “So what do you do for work?”
“I.T.,” she said shortly, not wanting to discuss work—or him—anymore. She couldn’t help but look toward the restaurant staff near the bar.
“No work talk, huh?”
“I like to avoid a first date sounding like a job interview.”There won’t be a second.
“Fair enough. Outside of work, then?”
She was tempted to tell him, just to see his face.My friend Eve keeps dragging me along to a coven of urban witches.Instead, it was anopportunity too good to pass up. “I stay pretty active. Like to keep fit.”
“I can see that about you. Running? Gym?”
“Taekwondo.” She watched him closely for his reaction.
Stefan picked up his wineglass and leaned back in his chair. “Really?” He swirled the ruby liquid, then took a sip. “A recent hobby?”
“Since I was seventeen.” She added for emphasis, “Nine years.”
“Uh-huh.” He paused. “Are you any good?”
“I can hold my own.”
“It’s not a real martial art, is it?” he said offhandedly. “More a sport.”
That was enough. She caught the eye of a waiter, and made a writing-on-her-hand gesture.
Stefan noticed, briefly eyeing her half-eaten burrata. “Are you done?”
“Hungry for something else.” She gazed at him demurely. “Where’s your place?”
He looked taken aback, then eased into a practiced charm. “I like a woman who knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to take it.” His eyes hooded in an attempt at steamy allure. “I have an apartment in Back Bay.”
“Lovely,” she cooed. “What’s the address?”
“Don’t worry,” he said smoothly. “I won’t let you out of my sight.”
“Oh do tell,” she insisted, batting her eyes at him. “I really like that area.”
