Page 29 of Auctioned for Her Blood
I frown, shocked that my boss would give this man my address, no matter how much money he’s donated to Sanctuary House. But I’m glad that he plans to apologize.
“I mean you no harm.” Zuben clasps his hands behind his back and bows his head slightly, his eyes cast down. “I can promise you that.”
His posture works. He really does seem harmless. Especially compared to Ryker who I’m expecting in less than an hour.
“Okay.” I back a few feet from the door. “But I don’t have much time.”
He nods, lingering in my doorway.
“Come in.” I turn and walk toward the seating area of my condo, in an old building that contained rentals for almost a century before the units were offered for sale. Financed with the sale of the farm, my condo is beyond the means of most people my age, but I’m sure it seems like a dump to someone like Zuben.
“Your home is very comfortable,” Zuben says as he enters, then closes the door behind him.
“Comfortable?” I turn slowly, trying to read between the lines and determine his meaning. Comfortable could be taken as an insult.
“It is lovely.” He steps toward the window. “And what a beautiful view. How long have you lived here?”
“Why did you come?” My heart is racing as I watch him take in my home, the furniture I picked out piece by piece at various used furniture stores around the city.
“Ember.” He runs his hand across the back of my mid-century Danish sofa. “You have impeccable taste.”
“Thank you.” My shoulders start to unfurl, and I remember my manners. “Please. Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you a glass of wine?”
“Only if you are having one.” He nods, with a hint of smile sparkling in his chestnut eyes.
I head for the kitchen where I have a bottle chilling in the fridge. I picked it up thinking I should have something on hand if Ryker comes in when he picks me up—or when he drops me off…
Heat bubbles inside me, thinking about how my night might unfold with the uber masculine Ryker, how it might feel to embrace, to kiss, to do even more with such a dangerously sexy man.
“May I be of assistance?” Zuben asks.
I jump back from the counter holding the cork screw and bottle to my chest as if they can protect me.
“I am once again finding myself with the need to apologize.” Zuben bows his head. “I startled you.”
“No need.” Smiling, I set the bottle and cork screw down on the counter. “I’m just feeling jumpy tonight.” I’m feelingsomethinganyway… “To be honest, I don’t often have company.” I never do.
And certainly not such handsome company. In spite of how things ended last night, every time I look at Zuben, every time he speaks, my body stirs and my mind is swept off to far away places that I can almost see in his eyes, hear in his voice. But…I shake my head…tonight I am going out with Ryker.
“Please, let me assist.” Zuben takes the bottle and easily removes the cork, and I turn to grab two glasses from the cupboard.
“I don’t have proper wine glasses.” I set two juice glasses on the counter.Why didn’t I buy wine glasses?
“Those will do very nicely.” He pours some wine into each of the glasses, and then he hands one to me and raises his. “To what shall we drink?”
I shake my head, so foggy with adrenaline and confusion I can’t begin to form an answer.
“How about: to new friends?”
I raise my glass to meet his. “New friends.” I swallow some wine, more than I probably should, hoping it will take the edge off my overly active nerves. “Would you like to sit?” I turn to lead him toward the living room.
“Ember,” he says, stopping me short. “May I first help with something else?”
I look back over my shoulder. “With what?” Should I have offered him food?
“With your dress,” he says softly.
My hand rises to my chest. “My dress?”
