With her back toward him, she asked, “Are you spending the night?”
“I think not.”
“Oh?” She pulled on her robe before she turned to face him.
“I’ve been hungering for you all night,” he said. “And not just for your body. I don’t think staying is a good idea.”
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Of course.” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, then stood. “Sweet dreams, love.”
Although she very much wanted him to stay, she didn’t try to change his mind. She could see the struggle in his eyes, knew he was keeping a tight rein on his hunger and his desire.
Hands clenched at his sides, he kissed her cheek, and then he was gone.
Theirs had better be a short engagement, she thought.
For his sake. And hers.
* * *
Tessa called her parents first thing Sunday morning to tell them the good news.
Her father was less than thrilled at the idea of his daughter being engaged to a man they had never met, one she had known such a short time, but he wished her well, then said gruffly, “Your mom wants to talk to you.”
There was a muffled exchange and then her mother came on the line. “I’m sure he’s a wonderful man,” Alice Blackburn said, a smile in her voice. “What’s his name? How old is he? Where did you meet?”
“I met Andrei outside my apartment.” Tessa didn’t mention that the first time she had seen him, he had saved her from a vampire attack, and deliberately ignored the question about his age. “He sells antiques. He’s got some pieces I know you’ll love,” she said, hoping to divert her mother from more questions about Andrei. “Wait until you see the gorgeous glass-fronted secretary he gave me.”
In the background, Tessa heard her father mutter, “Well, at least he’s employed.”
“Be quiet, Henry!”
Tessa grinned as her mother cleared her throat. “Have you set a date?”
“No. We haven’t gotten that far. And, of course, we’ll wait until you and Dad get home.”
“Maybe you could send us a photo of the two of you?”
Tessa frowned. Uh-oh. Could you photograph a vampire?
“Tess?”
“Um, sure. Oh, Mom, I almost forgot the other news. Jilly got married last night.”
“That’s wonderful. Give her my best.”
“I will. Listen, Mom, I’ve got to go or I’ll be late for church. I just wanted to give you the good news.”
“If you’re happy, I’m happy,” her mother said. “We can’t wait to meet him.”
Tessa ended the call, then fell back on the mattress, her arms outstretched. Thank goodness that was over!
* * *
Andrei was at the condo when Tessa and Bailey returned from church.
“How long have you been here?” Tessa toed off her heels and removed her coat before going into Andrei’s arms.
“Just a few minutes,” he said, giving her a hug. “How’s it going, Bailey?”
“Fine. I hear you two are getting married.”
“Yeah,” he said, gazing into Tessa’s eyes. “Unless she’s changed her mind.”
“No way, Mr. Dinescu,” Tessa said. “You’re mine now.”
“Well, congratulations to both of you,” Bailey said. “Tess, I’m going over to Tristan’s for lunch, if that’s okay.”
“Hey, I’m not your mother,” Tessa said, grinning. “But behave yourself and don’t be too late.”
“I wish you were my mom.” Bailey glanced down at her shoes, her voice barely audible. “Do you think you could adopt me?”
“Are you serious?” Tessa asked. “Because if you are . . .” She looked at Andrei. “What do you think? Should we adopt a teenager?”
“It’s up to you. But I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Tessa asked.
“Never mind,” Bailey said quickly, and it was obvious, from her tone, that she was embarrassed for asking. And equally obvious that she thought Andrei didn’t want her.
“Let me explain,” he said. “I think it would be great for Tessa to adopt you. But it’s not that easy. There’s a lot of paperwork involved. The agency would have to investigate Tessa’s background. I don’t think that would be a problem. She doesn’t have a police record. . . .”
Tessa poked him on the arm. “How do you know?”
He laughed softly. “How do you think?”
“Reading my mind again?” she asked. “Or checking the Internet?”
“As I was saying, you don’t have a police record, you’re an upstanding citizen, you’ve got a good-paying job.”