Night's Touch (Children of The Night 2)

“It’s only one day,” Cara said.

“I know, but his mother hates me.”

Cara patted Sarah Beth’s tummy. “She’ll change her tune once the baby’s born, wait and see.”

“Maybe,” Sarah Beth said dolefully. “So, on a happier note, how are things with you and the hunk?”

Just the thought of Vince made Cara’s stomach flutter with excitement. “Things are wonderful.”

“Sounds like love,” Sarah Beth mused.

“Is it possible to fall in love so fast? I mean, I’ve known him such a short time.”

“Cara, time has nothing to do with it. Hearts don’t have calendars.”

“Then I guess I love him,” she said with a happy sigh. “Just thinking about him makes me smile, and when we’re together…oh, Bethy, I’ve never felt like this before. It scares me.”

“Just relax and enjoy the ride, sweetie.”

They placed a Halloween display on the front desk, taped cardboard cutouts of laughing ghosts, grinning vampires, scowling witches, and howling black cats wherever there was space.

After they decorated the library, Sarah Beth went to do some work at her desk and Cara went into the children’s section and set up a display of books with Halloween themes.

When she finished setting up the book display, it was time for her dinner break.

She was definitely hungry, she thought with a sigh, but not for food.

Vince sensed Cara’s nearness long before she entered the garage. By the time she arrived, he had washed his hands and face and combed his hair. He waited for her just inside the door.

He breathed in her scent as she stepped out of the car, let it permeate every fiber of his being. How had he ever existed without this woman in his life?

Her smile settled deep in his heart and made him think of things he had thought forever lost to him, things like a real home and a woman of his own.

She walked straight into his arms as if she had always belonged there. “Hi.”

“Hi, darlin’.”

Her eyelids fluttered down as she lifted her face for his kiss.

But a kiss wasn’t enough, would never be enough again.

Holding her close with one arm, he pulled down the security door, his need for her building with every breath.

“I don’t think we’re gonna make it upstairs,” he muttered, his voice gruff.

“I don’t care.”

“Damn.” He glanced around, seeking a place where he could lay her down. Grabbing an old blanket, he spread it on the floor, gently lowered her onto it, and followed her down.

She was as needy and greedy as he. Their clothing disappeared as if by magic and then she was in his arms, her heat warming him, chasing away the inner chill that had become a part of him with Mara’s bite.

He kissed her deeply, almost desperately, his hands delving into her hair, massaging her scalp.

She moaned softly, her body arching beneath his in silent invitation.

“Cara.” Knowing he had no right, he took her anyway, unable to resist the siren call of her sweetness or the sense of homecoming that engulfed him whenever she was in his arms.

Time slowed. The rest of the world faded away until there was nothing but the two of them reaching for that one moment when two bodies, two hearts, and two souls became one. It was, quite simply, magical, and over too soon.

Vince blew out a deep breath, and then he kissed her eyelids, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and her chin.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she said with a grin.

“We do?”

She nodded. “I don’t know about you, but I think this cement is awfully hard, blanket or no blanket. From now on, let’s do it in a bed. Yours or mine, I don’t care.”

Relief washed through him. For a moment, he had been afraid she was telling him good-bye.

She laughed softly. “And preferably someplace where your cat can’t watch us.”

“What?”

She pointed toward her feet. Following her gaze, he saw Cat sitting at the edge of the blanket, watching them through unblinking yellow eyes.

Muttering, “Darn cat,” Vince sat up and drew Cara up beside him. His hand slid aimlessly up and down her back. He loved the silky feel of her hair, the heat of her skin, the musky scent of her.

She looked up at him, her head canted to one side. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, darlin’.”

“Have you ever heard of a vampire who was also a witch?”

He frowned. “No. Why? Have you?”

She hesitated a moment, then blurted, “I think my mother is a witch.”

“A witch and a vampire.” He whistled softly. “That’s a hell of a combination.”

“It’s not funny!”

“Am I laughing? What makes you think she’s a witch?”

Cara shrugged. “I’m probably just being silly, but every year for Halloween my father dressed in black and wore a long black cloak and my mother dressed as a witch…” She shook her head. “Never mind, it sounds silly.”

“But you think it’s true.”

She nodded. “How could I have been so blind for so many years? When I look back at my childhood, there were signs everywhere.”

“But you weren’t looking for them,” Vince pointed out.

“I know. The worst thing is, I miss them both.”

“Of course you do, darlin’. I think you should go and see them.”

“I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“I doubt if words will be necessary.”

“But I like living on my own and I know they’ll want me to move back home.”

“You won’t know that until you talk to them.” He gazed into the distance. “Don’t cut yourself off from your family if you don’t have to.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“I know I am.”

“Will you go with me?”

“No, darlin’. I think this is something you have to do on your own.” Coward that he was, he didn’t want to be there if her parents convinced her that he was a vampire, didn’t want to see the hurt or the sense of betrayal in her eyes when she discovered the truth. And she would, sooner or later, he thought ruefully. He couldn’t hide his true nature from her forever. Guilt assailed him. He never should have let things go this far; he never should have made love to her, or let himself care.

But it was too late now.

Back at the library, Vince’s words kept running through Cara’s mind. Don’t cut yourself off from your family if you don’t have to. For the first time, it occurred to her that her parents had all the time in the world. Being mortal, she didn’t have that luxury. Did she want to waste even one more day being angry with the two people who loved her more than anyone else—two people that she loved in spite of everything?