Everlasting Kiss (Everlasting 1)

When the song ended, he willed another to start. The rest of the world drifted away and there was just the two of them, slow dancing to Fleetwood Mac singing "Beautiful Child." Erik smiled inwardly. His Daisy was certainly a beautiful child, so young when compared to the centuries he had lived.

Later, he ordered her another drink, and then they danced again, this time to Fauxliage singing "Let It Go." The lyrics seemed made for the two of them. Did Daisy want him as badly as he wanted her?

They stayed until closing time, and then he drove her home. After carrying her bags to the front door, he went back to retrieve the painting. After propping it beside her luggage, he drew Daisy into his arms.

"So, my little flower," he murmured, "where do we go from here?" He could have forced her to surrender to him, to be his slave in any and every way he demanded, but he didn't want to compel her to care for him. He wanted her affection, freely given.

"What do you mean?" Daisy asked, though she knew exactly what he meant.

"Even though I know it's not a good move for either one of us, I'd like to see you again, get to know you better."

"You're right. It isn't a good idea."

"Is that a no?"

She lifted one shoulder and let it fall. "Why ask for trouble? I know you're attracted to me, and I have to admit, I'm attracted to you, too, but what's the point? There's no future for us. You must know that."

"There could be."

It was tempting. He was tempting, with his silky black hair and smoldering ebony eyes. She felt herself weakening, wanting. Wanting to sit on his lap and feel his arms around her. Wanting to taste his mouth devouring hers, wanting to touch him, to kiss and taste and explore every masculine inch.

"Why don't you give us a chance?" he asked in that soft, honeyed voice that sent shivers of delight down her spine. "What have you got to lose?"

What did she have to lose? Her life, for starters.

"I'm not a young vampire," Erik said quietly. "I won't hurt you. The scent of your blood doesn't enflame my senses beyond control. I won't take anything you don't want to give." He gazed deeply into her eyes. "I think I'm in love with you."

Of all the things he might have said, that was the last thing Daisy had expected to hear. "But...that's impossible. I mean, we hardly know each other." She stared up into his eyes. "Haven't you forgotten something? I'm the Blood Thief..."

"And I'm a vampire," he said.

And that said it all.

"So you see," Daisy said, blinking back the sting of tears. "There's just no way it will work."

"You're sure?"

She gazed up at him, mute. She couldn't be in love with a vampire. In her family, it simply wasn't done. She was an O'Donnell. They hunted vampires. Her father and her brother Alex destroyed vampires for a living. Her younger brother, Brandon, didn't have the stomach for killing, so he earned his living the same way she did, by selling the blood of the Undead at two hundred bucks a pop. And since you only needed a very small amount for the desired high, a pint or two of vampire blood went a very long way.

"Daisy?"

He was waiting for her answer, but she had no answer to give as cold logic warred with her growing desire.

She jumped when the front door opened behind her.

"Hey, Daisy Mae, it's about time you got home."

"Alex!" Daisy stared at her brother in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey, can't a guy come to see his little sister once in a while?" Alex's gaze settled on Erik, an unspoken question in his eyes.

"Alex, this is Erik Delacourt. Erik, this is my older brother, Alex."

The two men eyed each other warily for a moment; then, at a look from Daisy, Alex stuck out his hand. "Pleased to meet you."

Erik nodded as he shook the other man's hand.

Daisy glanced from Erik to her brother and back again, her heart beating wildly as vampire and vampire hunter continued to size each other up. Inviting Erik inside was the polite thing to do, but all things considered, it really didn't seem like a good idea.

Erik took the dilemma out of her hands. "I'll say good night, Daisy. I'm sure you and your brother have a lot of catching up to do." He kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you around."

Speechless, she watched him get into his car and drive away.

"So, who's that guy?" Alex asked.

"Just a friend."

"Uh-huh."

"Bring my bags in, will you?" Without waiting for an answer, she went out onto the porch and picked up her painting, and then swept past him.

Returning to the living room, Daisy propped the painting on the mantel. She admired it for several moments, hardly able to believe it was really hers, and then turned to face her brother.

Alex dropped her bags beside the sofa, then jerked his chin toward the picture. "Where'd you get that?"

"From Erik. Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I guess it's all right, if you like that kind of thing."

"I do. Erik painted it."

"You're kidding. He doesn't look like an artist to me."

"Well, he is. What are you really doing here?"

Alex shrugged as he glanced around the room. "Dad was worried about you."

Daisy groaned softly. She never should have called home after destroying Saul.

"Mom, too," Alex said. "She wants you to come home--"

"And meet Mr. Right. Yes, I know."

Alex dropped onto the sofa and picked up the remote. "Well, I don't know about that, but I know she wants you to move back home. Permanently. She thinks it's too dangerous for you to be out here alone. And after seeing that guy...that artist you're hanging out with, I think she's right."

Sitting on the sofa, Daisy crossed her arms over her chest and counted to ten. "What's wrong with him?"

Alex fixed her with a hard look. "Well, if I didn't know better, I'd say he was a vampire."

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"Where'd you meet him?"

"At a nightclub, not that it's any of your business."

"How long have you been dating?"

"We're not 'dating.'"

"No?" Alex glanced pointedly at her luggage. "Then what are you doing?"

"Get your mind out of the gutter. And what I'm 'doing' is no concern of yours."

"I'd like to argue with you some more," Alex said, smothering a yawn, "but I'm beat. I made myself at home in the guest room. Hope you don't mind."