Night's Pleasure (Children of The Night 4)

“It’s a beautiful place,” Savanah remarked.

Rane pulled up in front of a motel, then turned to look at her. “Do you want to spend the night here, or go find my folks’ place?”

“Let’s stay here tonight.”

“Still nervous about meeting them?”

“A little. What if they don’t like me?”

“Savanah…”

“What if they look at me and all they see is dinner, or dessert? Stop that, it’s not funny!”

He tried to say he was sorry, but he couldn’t stop laughing.

Savanah punched him in the arm, realizing, too late, that it was going to hurt her fist more than his arm. The man had muscles of steel.

Rane took a deep breath, glanced at Savanah, and burst out laughing again.

“Anytime you’re through, I’d like to check into the motel and take a bath.”

“Sor—sorry.” He switched off the engine and got out of the car.

She didn’t wait for him to open her door. Grabbing her handbag, she swept into the office.

With a shake of his head, Rane grabbed her overnight bag and followed her inside. She was really something, he thought, and wondered how he had ever survived without her.

Rane squeezed Savanah’s hand. “Just relax. They’re going to love you.”

“Right.” Savanah took a deep breath as they walked up the pathway to his parents’ house. It was a pretty place, white with dark green trim. Tall trees rose behind the house; a riot of colorful flowers surrounded a small fountain. It didn’t look the least bit the way she had expected a Vampire’s home to look. It was like expecting Dracula and finding Mary Poppins.

Savanah looked up at Rane as he knocked on the door. There was a faint tremor in the hand she was holding, and she realized he was just as nervous as she was.

The man who opened the door looked enough like Rane to be his brother. He had the same chiseled features, strong jaw, and thick black hair. The only difference she could see was in their eyes—Rane’s were black, his father’s were dark brown.

Vince Cordova took one look at his son and drew him into his arms. “Welcome home, son.”

All Savanah’s fears melted as she watched the two men embrace; the love and affection between them was almost palpable.

Clearing his throat, Vince held his son at arm’s length. “I can’t believe you’re here. Let me have a look at you. Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Vince glanced at Savanah. “This pretty lady must be Savanah.” Releasing his son, Vince held out his hand. “I’m Rane’s father.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Cordova.”

“Just Vince. Come on inside. I can’t wait to see Cara’s face when she sees the two of you.”

The inside of the house was lovely, all done in shades of green and mauve. A pretty woman with long blond hair sat in a chair beside the fireplace. She looked up from the book she was reading when they entered the room, her blue eyes widening when she saw her son.

“Rane!” The book fell to the floor as she jumped to her feet.

“Hi, Mom.”

She hugged him fiercely, her eyes filling with tears. Tears that Savanah noticed were tinged with red.

“I can’t believe you’re home,” Cara said, wiping her tears with one hand. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming? Oh, it doesn’t matter, I’m so glad you’re here.” Still hugging her son, she looked at Savanah. “Thank you for bringing him home.”

“I didn’t…”

“Oh, yes, you did,” his mother insisted. Releasing Rane, she offered Savanah her hand. “I’m so happy to meet you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Cordova.”

“Cara,” she said, squeezing her hand. “Well, come in and sit down. I want to hear everything.”

The next hour passed quickly as Rane brought his parents up-to-date on what he’d been doing since he left home. Savanah was completely charmed by his parents, both of whom were sympathetic when they learned of her father’s death.

To Savanah’s surprise, Rane’s mother offered her a glass of iced tea and a slice of chocolate cake, neither of which Savanah had expected to find in a Vampire’s house.

“We keep food on hand for the neighbor kids,” Cara explained. “They love to come over after school. Especially the teenage boys. They’re always coming around, asking Vince to fix their cars, or make them go faster.”

Vince grinned at Savanah and shrugged. “They’re good kids.”

Rising, Cara said, “I should call Rafe and tell him you’re home.”

“Don’t forget to call your folks,” Vince reminded her with a smile. “We’ll never hear the end of it if you don’t.”

“You’re right about that,” Cara said, and went in to the other room to make her calls.

Rafe and his pretty blond wife, Kathy, showed up a short time later, and Cara’s parents arrived some twenty minutes after that. Kathy and Rane’s grandparents greeted Savanah with welcoming smiles as they introduced themselves. Cara’s father, Roshan, was tall and lean with powerful shoulders and long limbs. His hair was black, his eyes a bold midnight blue set beneath straight black brows, but it was Cara’s mother who held Savanah’s attention.

Brenna DeLongpre seemed too pretty to be a witch. Fiery red hair fell to her waist, her eyes were almost as green as Mara’s. She wore a white peasant blouse over a colorful, ankle-length skirt; a necklace of amber and jet circled her throat.

Vince brought out a bottle of vintage wine. After filling everyone’s glass, he lifted his own, and said, “A toast to the prodigal, who, though away from us, was never out of our hearts or our thoughts.”

“Here, here,” Rafe said.

“And to the woman in his life,” Cara added. “May she always feel welcome in our presence and in our home.”

Rane slid his arm around Savanah’s shoulders. Drawing her close, he whispered, “See? I knew they’d love you. So, will you marry me?”

Chapter Forty-One

Savanah glanced around the room. No one would ever think any of the occupants were Vampires. She was finding it a little hard to believe herself.

Rane poked her in the ribs. “You didn’t answer me.”

“They really are wonderful people, aren’t they?”

“I think so.” He looked at her, his dark eyes intense. “You still haven’t answered my question.”