The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep) (Kitty Norville 0.50)

He offered her his hand and she took it expecting a handshake. His warm fingers curled around hers and he brought her hand to his mouth to brush his warm lips against her skin.

“It is you,” he said. “I know it truly.”

“You know what truly?” She raised an eyebrow.

Was he going to buy her a drink? Should she buy him a drink? Damn, she hated getting dragged along to these kinds of bars with her desperate friends. It so wasn’t her scene.

“She told me it was you, but I did not initially believe. Now I do.”

“Who told you what?”

“The witch. The one who led me to you. I have searched 300 years and you are finally returned to me.”

“What are you talking about?”

He looked at her very seriously. “You, Julia Donner, are the reincarnation of my beloved soulmate.”

She actually laughed out loud at that. “You are kidding me, right?”

He frowned at her reaction. “I do not kid you.”

She had to admit to being a little disappointed. At first glance the guy had potential - serious “introduction to her bedroom” potential. At second glance, he was just another loser. Pretty on the surface, but crazy underneath.

Julia sighed out loud. “Three hundred years? That’s kind of a long time. What are you, a vampire, or something?” She was kidding of course, but the look on his face told her he wasn’t.

“You sense what I am,” he said with obvious approval. “You know me.”

She tried not to laugh. “No, I don’t. Besides, vampires are cold, undead creatures of darkness. And you’re . . . well, you’re—” very hot “—warm and breathing.”

“Real vampires are not what you might expect. We are simply different than humans. We do live eternally. But when our soulmates are taken away before they are sired, we must try to find them in their next life. It has not been easy for me to locate you. I feared I would never find you again.”

Right. “I think you should probably take off. My friend’ll be back any minute.”

Instead of departing, he took a step even closer to her. “It is I, dearest Julia. Evan. Search your heart. You know me. I know you do.”

She leaned back from him. “I know you need to get away from me or we’re going to have a big problem here.”

He looked very confused. Either this guy was surprised that his whole reincarnation shtick didn’t work on her or he was completely insane. She didn’t know which. She didn’t care. Either scenario creeped her out.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, with a deep frown creasing his forehead.

She slid off the bar stool. He put his arms on either side of her to block her from leaving.

“Please, stay and talk with me a while longer, Julia.”

“I mean it,” she said very firmly. “Get away from me now.”

A small smile touched his lips. “I remember that fire, that spark of life inside you. There are many things that are so very, very different, but that remains. You are the one. The witch is not wrong. She guaranteed me that you are she.”

“That I’m your reincarnated soulmate?”

“Yes.” His smile widened. “You are beginning to believe. That is wonderful.”

She tried to move away from him but he didn’t budge. Was she going to have to call security? Not that anyone seemed like they were paying attention. A quick glance around the bar confirmed that several people were very close to each other getting to know each other much like she and Evan.

“What do you want?” she asked him warily.

“You, of course,” he replied.