A Fire in the Blood(30)
“Where should we go?” Tessa asked.
“I’ll leave that up to you and your friend.”
“Do you have many friends?”
He hesitated a moment before saying, “None still living.”
* * *
Tessa found herself thinking about what Andrei had said while she changed into her pj’s and climbed into bed. None still living. Did vampires make friends? Besides herself, who in their right mind would want to associate with one of the undead?
Assuming vampires made friends, she supposed they sought out others of their own kind. After all, it might be difficult to hang out with someone who was also prey.
She was still turning that over in her mind when her cell phone rang.
It was Jilly. “So, did you talk to Andrei?”
“Yes. He’s willing to try again.”
“Really? I’m surprised he agreed. Not just because of what happened last time, but, you know, it’s just hard to imagine vampires dating.”
“I know.” Tessa plumped the pillow behind her head. “What did Luke say?”
“Well, after what happened on Halloween, he wasn’t too thrilled at the idea of double-dating again.”
“I can understand that,” Tessa said, grinning. “I’m still surprised that you suggested it.”
“Believe me, I’d rather you were going out with anyone else, but that’s neither here nor there. Anyway, Luke said he’d go, if that was what I wanted.”
“Then I guess the big question is, where and when?”
“Dinner and a movie Friday night?” Jilly suggested.
“Okay. See you tomorrow.” Tessa ended the call, switched off the lights, and slid under the covers.
She was thinking about Andrei—when wasn’t she?—when she felt his presence in the room, felt the bed sag as he sat on the edge. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.
“I was hoping for a good-night kiss.”
“How did you get in?” Sitting up, she turned on the light. “The door was locked.”
He arched one brow in amusement. “A lock? Seriously?”
“Oh, right.” She leaned toward him. “Didn’t you say something about a kiss?”
Desire darkened his eyes as he reached for her, his arm curling around her waist, drawing her up against him. “I’m not crossing the line, am I?” he asked, his voice a low growl.
“Not yet.” She closed her eyes as his mouth covered hers. Heat spread through her like liquid fire, magnifying every touch, pooling deep inside her. His hand stroked up and down her back, delved into the hair at her nape as his tongue teased her lips, then dipped inside to duel with hers. She gasped his name, her hands clutching his shoulders, as the heat within her intensified.
Andrei lifted his head, his eyes dark with passion. And tinged with a faint hint of red.
Tessa stared at him. “Your eyes . . .”
He turned his head away.
“Are you all right?”
“Of course.” He looked back at her, his face impassive.
And the red was gone. “Did I imagine that?”
He didn’t have to ask what she meant. “No. It happens sometimes, when passion fuels my hunger.” He ran his knuckles along her cheek. “I should go. I haven’t fed yet, and you’re far too tempting.”
“I wouldn’t mind letting you have a taste of me.”
“Probably not a good idea at the moment,” he said, rising, “but I’ll be glad to take you up on it tomorrow night.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Murmuring, “Sweet dreams, dragostea mea,” Andrei kissed her on the forehead and then, in a swirl of sparkling, dark gray motes, he vanished from her sight.
Chapter Twelve
Katerina walked along Fifth Avenue. New York had long been one of her favorite cities. She loved the excitement, the theaters, the shops. Saks, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman. She had been known to spend hours browsing the stores, buying whatever caught her eye, occasionally snacking on a particularly appealing customer. Or clerk.
She had hoped to find Andrei in the city, but, alas, he had not been there recently.
No matter. She had done everything she wanted to do in the Big Apple. She had shopped her favorite stores, intrigued by the latest fashions. Who would have ever thought that ragged jeans would be all the rage? She had gone to the theater, amused by Wicked, charmed by The Lion King, mesmerized by the sad plight of The Phantom of the Opera. What a vampire the phantom would have made!
Her thoughts returned to Andrei. She would find him, wherever he was. The blood bond that bound them together was stronger and more reliable than any GPS in the world.
Tomorrow night, it would lead her unerringly toward him.