Page 33 of Auctioned for Her Blood
Zuben’s head bows. “I will leave, but I implore you: Do not keep your date tonight. Ryker is dangerous.”
I grab my little silver bag and dig into it for my phone. “You’re the one who’s dangerous, and I’m calling the police. I’ll tell them thatyou’rea vampire and they’ll stake you!” Who cares if it isn’t true.
He holds up his hands in a gesture of surrender, then turns to open the door.
But before closing it, he looks into my eyes. “You might not yet believe that you are special, Ember, but you are,veryspecial, and I vow to protect you—always.”
I slam shut the door. “Stalker!”
Chapter Ten
Ember
“Champagne?”Ryker uncorks the bottle without waiting for my response, and the cork strikes the roof of the limousine, landing on the shiny black leather of the seat facing ours.
“Oh!” I giggle at my outburst that revealed my still jagged nerves. This car is like something out of the movies, and while it probably sits eight, the two of us are side by side on the long seat facing the barrier separating us from the driver. Above us, the moonroof is open and streetlights whoosh by, creating a light show inside.
Ryker showed up about fifteen minutes after Zuben left, and the second glass of wine I downed while waiting did little to soothe the effects of that unsettling discussion, and Ryker brought with him another catalyst for nerves—himself.
He’s wearing leather again, dark black slacks and what looks like the same long jacket over an off-white shirt without buttons. It’s open at the neck and looks so soft it’s got to be silk. My finger itches to touch it, not to mention his broad chest underneath.
His shoulder length hair is down tonight, looking wavy and soft and Ryker raises his eyebrows and smiles as he pours me a glass of wine. Then looking at him through the tiny bubbles rising through the liquid to burst at its surface, I feel like I’m about to burst too.
“To us,” he says.
“Us?” I peer over my flute.
“Too early?” He laughs. “Let me try again.” He settles his shoulders as if thinking, then leans forward, reaching his glass toward mine. “To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings.” I smile, then tip my head to the side. “Aren’t all beginnings new?”
Chuckling, he winks. “You’ve got me there.”
We clink glasses, and then I take a small sip of champagne. The taste bursts on my tongue, a million times nicer than the sparkling wine at the gala.
Already feeling floaty, I need to make sure I drink this glass slowly. Zuben’s warnings were absurd but I need to keep my wits about me. My first impression of Ryker was, after all, danger, and now that I’m on to second and third impressions I can’t deny that he’s dangerously…hot…and the feelings he’s rousing in side me feel dangerous too. Dangerously exciting.
The gala may have been my first time out after dark, but this is my first real date, first time in a limo and first time to what I assume will be a fancy restaurant and…while I don’t know what will happen later, I’ve decided, if it feels right I’ll say yes if he wants to have sex.
Taking another small taste of champagne, I coach my courage to rise, just like the bubbles pricking my nose. I am a grown ass woman! It’s perfectly normal for me to be out on a date with an attractive and charming man—even at night. It’s time that I stop acting like that paranoid teenager, deserted by her mom.
“I’m glad to see you smiling,” Ryker says, shifting to turn slightly toward me. “But you seem pensive. Penny for your thoughts?”
“They’re only worth a penny?” He used that expression last night too.
“It’s an old expression.” His arm stretches across the top of the seat behind me, and I resist the urge to lean my head against his strong arm as I look into his eyes.
“I’d love to know what you’re thinking,” he says. “What put that beautiful, soft smile on your lips?”
I take another sip of champagne, hoping to buy time to find an answer that’s not—‘You’re super hot,’ or ‘I think it’s time for me to start having a sex life,’—which is the truth of what’s going on in my mind.
“I’m just happy to be here with you,” I finally answer. “It’s my first limo ride.” I look out the window, noticing that we’re on the highway now, going south on the I95. “Where are we going?” I thought that most of the good Philly restaurants were downtown or by the museum.
“To a little restaurant I think you’ll enjoy.” He smiles, looking down into my eyes.
“Keeping our destination a secret?” I didn’t expect to be headed for the suburbs.
Shrugging one shoulder, he winks.
