Page 8 of A Vampire Bewitched
Emma jumped down from her stool and straightened her spine as the Greek god started walking—no,prowling—directly toward her. As he got closer, she took a deep, bracing breath and steeled her spine even more, determined not to let him affect her. He didn’t stop until he was so close, she could feel the heat from his body.
“Hello, Emma.”
Chapter 5
Nik arrived at the local dive a little early for his appointment with Emma. Since it wasn’t a personal residence, no invitation was needed, and he entered without any trouble. Pausing just over the threshold, he checked the place out, memorizing where the exits were out of habit. It wasn’t hard. There were only two.
He wasn’t surprised at the lack of a Friday night crowd. Places like this catered to regular customers who lived in the area. No one else would drive so far out of the way to get to such a small-town dive. It was one reason he had told Emma to meet him here. Without the crowd, they’d be able to talk.
Emma sat at the end of the bar. He let his eyes wander over her face and down to what he could see of her body. She was stunning in a simple sweater and jeans. Her hair fell in natural waves just to her shoulders, and his fingers itched to touch the bright strands, to see if they were as soft as they looked. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she stared at him, wide-eyed. Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing shallow.
He imagined her looking at him like that as she lay naked and open beneath him, gasping as he pumped into her hot little body. His eyes narrowed at the wayward thought, and he felt his cock instantly respond.
As if she knew what he was thinking, her face reddened even more and he had to close his eyes a moment as he scented her body’s response from across the room. He couldn’t help it then. He smirked at her, and saw her wide-eyed look change to a glare in response.
Was she angry at him, or at her body’s reaction to him?
Nik allowed himself a moment more to enjoy pondering that question, before reminding himself of the purpose of this meeting. The thought sobered him instantly. He headed toward Emma, and she jumped down from her stool to stand ramrod straight at his approach.
He didn’t stop until there was less than a foot between their bodies, forcing her to look up at him as he loomed over her. She barely came to his chin; her slender form less than half his size.
His heart actually stuttered as his eyes roved over her face. Good Lord, she was lovely. So close to her, her scent nearly overwhelmed him, and it was all he could do not to scoop her up and take her with him, caveman style, back to his lair.
“Hello, Emma.”
His voice was bedroom sexy.Way better in person. Or maybe she’d just been too shocked to notice when they’d talked on the phone for that brief time. Just listening to him say her name caused some very unladylike thoughts to jump, unbidden, into her head: thoughts of popping buttons and tearing lace, and bare skin sliding on bare skin.
She didn’t even wear lace.
Emma stared at him until, giving herself a shake, she pulled her thoughts back into the here and now. Jesus, what was wrong with her? She’d never been this affected by a man, not even extremely good-looking ones.
Annoyed with herself, she stuck her chin out and demanded, “Who the hell are you, and what exactly do you know about my sister?”
He looked amused, if a bit surprised, with her directness. “Well, now, don’t beat around the bush, sweetheart. Just go ahead and say whatever’s on your mind.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, but her insides quivered as she waited for a response to her question.
After a glance at the bartender who was still hovering around them, he suggested, “Why don’t we go find somewhere a bit more private to talk.” It wasn’t a question.
Emma studied his too-perfect face for a few seconds, then nodded once in agreement. Turning to grab her things, she gave old Ned a reassuring smile.
He took her hand as she placed it on her bag. “Darlin’, you just give a yell if you need anything at all.” He looked directly into her eyes while he spoke, making sure he got his point across. “And you just let me know when you’re ready to leave. Alone.” He gave the man beside her a pointed glare. “And I’ll walk you to your car.”
Men were always offering to walk her to her car. Did she really seem that helpless?
The beautiful male beside her tilted his head and looked at Ned with mild curiosity, like he would an animal at the zoo. “Do we owe you anything for the drink, old man?” he asked.
Ned shook his grey head slowly, staring him down. “The youngladyhas already paid.”
Emma looked over at the newcomer just in time to catch him giving the elderly man a menacing smile.
“I’ll be fine.” She didn’t know if that was true or not, but the elderly bartender was no match for a guy like this, and she wouldn’t have him risking life and limb because of her.
A strong hand wrapped gently, but firmly, around her arm. “Good! Come on, Emma.”
Giving the bartender a last reassuring smile, she let the Greek god steer her toward an empty booth far from listening ears.
He led her to her seat, and then settled himself across from her where he kept one eye on the kindly bartender. “Would you like another drink, Emma?”
