Plum turned as I reached her, catching my eye, her face aglow in the pulsing lights. And then she smiled. Bright red lips curving up into a delicious arc that had me quickening my step. She continued to dance, eyes falling closed, hands running down the length of her body. Teasing me. Inviting me.

I moved beside her, lightly touching her arm, lining up our bodies before I leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Do you come here often?”

Her head fell back as she laughed, mouth open, teeth practically glowing white against her red lips. The sound carried over the music, loud and bright. Attracting other men’s attention. Capturing mine.

“Pretty sure I’ve heard that before, new guy.”

I leaned into her, pulling her scent into my lungs. “It seemed to work relatively well the last time I tried it.”

“Yeah, I guess it did.” She inched closer, pressing her breasts to my chest. Inviting me.

I slid an arm around her waist, pulling her hips flush to mine. Trapping my half-hard cock between us. Knowing she felt it, that she’d feel it grow as her body writhed against me. Liking that she didn’t pull away from me as the evidence of my desire for her lengthened. It took a few seconds, barely a full line from the chorus of the current song, before I was fully hard. Plum stared into my eyes and worked her body in a way to continuously rub against me. Teasing. Arousing further. Fuck, the woman would unman me in the middle of the dance floor if I let her.

“I didn’t know vampires danced,” Plum said, watching me, a slight tilt to her lips.

I shook my head, still slightly amazed at my luck. “This one doesn’t usually.”

“Why now?”

I pulled her tighter, grinding against her. “How could I resist the company?”

“Such a charmer.”

“I do try, Plum.”

“Will you be okay without me?” I asked, knowing the answer—she was a strong, independent woman after all—but still needing to ask it.


Not disappointing me, she jerked back and gave me a sarcastic sort of look. “Of course. Will you be okay without me?”


“Not at all, but I’ll endure the pain until I can be in your presence again.”


She frowned—actually frowned at me—then pulled away. “Stop lying.”


“It’s not a lie.”


With a sigh, she turned and started the slow retreat to her building, stopping just before the door. “Hey, Samuelson?”


The hesitancy in her voice caught me off guard. “Yes, Trina?”


“What would you say if I told you I’d like you to be in my presence again tonight?”


If I’d had a beating heart, it would have been pounding. “I would tell you that I’d be honored to fulfill your request.”


She nodded, opening the door to the building. “Fine. Come back when you’re done. I’ll allow you to come up.”


My excitement nearly overwhelmed me, made me want to make the wrong decision. I had to temper it. “It might be late.”


Those green eyes locked on mine, sure and solid. No fear. “Come in anyway. I know you can.”