As Twilight Falls

“What are your intentions toward my daughter?”

“I’m going to take her to England and show her a good time.”

“And if I refuse to let her go?”

“I wouldn’t try it if I were you. Besides, she’s a big girl, capable of making her own decisions.”

“And after England, then what?”

Saintcrow shrugged. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. Shall we go back inside?”

Kadie’s parents went upstairs to bed a short time later. “What did you and my dad talk about for so long?” Kadie asked when she and Rylan were finally alone.

“Just guy talk.” He stretched his arm across the back of the sofa. “He told me a little about his practice and asked me what my intentions were.”

“He didn’t! What did you say?”

“I told him we planned to go to England, and that I hadn’t thought beyond that.”

“Oh.”

“You sound disappointed.”

She shook her head. “No, I . . .” She was disappointed. Even though she kept reminding herself that he was a vampire and they had no real future together, she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it.

“Kadie?”

“It’s late,” she said, blinking rapidly. “I’ll go make sure there are clean sheets on the bed in the guest room.”

When she started to rise, his hand on her arm stayed her. “I won’t be sleeping here.”

“Where will you go?”

“I’ll find a place, don’t worry.”

“But what will I tell my folks? They’ll expect you to stay with us.”

“Tell them whatever you want. Tell them I came to town on business and I had an early meeting. Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

She nodded, but looked none too happy.

“I’ll miss you, too.” He stroked her cheek with his fingertips.

One touch, and she wanted to pull him down on the sofa, to pour herself over him, to absorb his very essence. It had been days since he had made love to her. She wanted him. Needed him.

He smiled at her, a smugly masculine smile. “I want you, too, sweetheart.”

“Then take me, now.”

“Here? Under your father’s roof?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He could imagine her father’s righteous indignation if he found the two of them together, could almost feel the sting of the blade as Andrews lopped off his head. But it didn’t keep him from taking Kadie in his arms and kissing her. She was light to his darkness, a blanket of warmth to turn away the chill, a ray of hope that chased away his occasional bouts of despair.

Hugging him close, she ran her tongue along the side of his neck.

He hissed a word she didn’t understand under his breath.

Pleased by that reaction, she climbed onto his lap and kissed him, long and hard, until, with a low growl, he planted his hands on either side of her head and took control of the kiss, his fingers tangling in her hair, his tongue plundering her mouth. He kissed her until they were both breathless, then, in a single sinuous move, he stood and placed her on her feet.

She stared up at him.

“Go to bed, Kadie,” he said.

“But . . .”

“I need to feed and find a place to rest. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“You’re going?” How could he leave her now, when she was on fire for him?

But she was talking to empty air.

Saintcrow strolled down the quiet streets of Kadie’s neighborhood, his hands shoved in his pockets. Most of the houses were dark. Here and there, a dog barked at his passing. A cat hissed at him, then turned and ran away. A short time later, a police car slowed as it passed him, but then moved on.

He grinned inwardly, bemused by fate’s sense of humor at bringing him into the home of an active vampire hunter. He wondered absently how many vampires Andrews had dispatched, and how he had discovered the healing properties of vampire blood. Had it been by accident, or had the good doctor done a little experimenting on the side? He wondered what kind of illness Kadie’s sister had and why the blood of his kind failed to heal her, or at least put the symptoms into remission for an extended length of time.

Turning right, he came to a strip mall. Most of the businesses were dark, but a sign in the window of a small tavern announced it was open. Pushing through the door, he quickly scanned the occupants—a couple of young men playing pinball in the corner, a middle-aged couple sitting at the far end of the bar, a man and a woman at a nearby table who had eyes only for each other.

Moving to the bar, Saintcrow ordered a glass of red wine. He sipped it slowly, and waited. A short time later two young women—a blonde and a redhead—entered the bar, laughing. Both were pretty, but he liked the way the redhead smelled. When she looked in his direction, he smiled. It was as easy as that.

Two minutes later, he bought her a drink to quench her thirst.

Three minutes after that, she was quenching his.

Chapter 28

Kadie woke to the heavenly smell of coffee brewing. With a sigh, she closed her eyes. It was good to be home, to sleep in her own bed. For years, she had considered getting a place of her own. She was certainly old enough. She could afford it. But she was home so seldom, it just didn’t seem worth it. She thought fleetingly of Saintcrow’s house . . . and bolted upright.

Where was he? Where had he spent the night?

With a sigh, she flopped back on the pillows. Why was she worrying about him? He was a big boy. He’d been taking care of himself for over nine hundred years.

The promise of fresh, hot coffee drew her to the kitchen.

“Good morning, sunshine,” her mother said.

“Hi, Mom. Dad.”

“Mornin’, pumpkin. Good to have you home again,” her father said. “How long are you staying this time?”

“I’m not sure.” Kadie poured herself a cup of coffee, then sat at the table, thinking again how good it felt to be back home.

Minutes later, her mother placed a platter of French toast and bacon on the table.

“Should we wait for your friend?” her mother asked.

“No. Rylan’s gone for the day. Business of some kind.”

Her father nodded. “Right.”

Kadie looked at him sharply, wondering at his skeptical tone. “He’ll be back tonight, probably after dinner.”

Her father grunted thoughtfully.

Kadie frowned. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought her father suspected something.