Dying to Date(3)
Melissa opened her mouth, letting her fangs lengthen. “They may have their freaky abilities, but I’m not exactly powerless.”
“Just be careful is all I’m saying.”
She smiled, retracting her fangs. “I know. Don’t worry, I’ll hash it out with Lucian.”
“Great and I’ll keep working on your matches. Promise.”
With a last wave, she left the small office.
Melissa walked down the white hallway into the reception room of Fated Match. Outside the glass double doors lay a bustling Manhattan street. Night had fallen long ago, but the street was still full of people rushing home after a long day.
Inside the business was a tastefully decorated waiting room. Several pink chairs lined the walls, and two women waited for their appointments. Unlike a human establishment, the coffee table in the center of the room was littered with magazines featuring fairy supermodels and warlock doctors preaching the latest health tips for a happy immortality.
Melissa could try all the touted new herbs, but she knew the truth. A happy immortality required finding her mate—that one person born to spend lifetimes by her side.
“How’d it go, Melissa?”
She glanced at the white reception desk to see a familiar face.
“Chloe,” she greeted, walking over to the witch. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Just got back from a vacation. The Bermuda Triangle is lovely this time of year.”
Melissa eyed the other woman’s tan enviously. Sun hadn’t touched her pale skin in over a hundred years.
“Has Abbey set you up with anyone decent?” Chloe asked.
She shook her head. “Striking out so far.”
“Well, don’t despair. We’re getting walk-ins all the time.”
As if conjured by her words, the bell over the door chimed.
Melissa turned to see the new arrival and stopped cold. The sight would have robbed her of breath if she’d had working lungs.
The most beautiful man she’d ever seen stepped through the glass doors.
He was tall enough to make her feel small, and given that she approached six feet, that was no simple task. Though he moved with grace, he had the body of a warrior, all fit and toned. His navy suit jacket was slung over one arm, and the light blue dress shirt underneath had been rolled up to show off his forearms. Melissa eyed the golden skin as she fought to keep from licking her lips.
Her eyes raked over his broad chest before rising to his face. His square jaw was firm, his patrician nose perfect. Eyelashes any woman would envy shaded his bright blue gaze as auburn hair tumbled around his face. It was slightly too long, as if he’d put off getting it cut, but her fingers itched to run through the soft waves.
As handsome as he was, however, it was the magic rolling off him that most drew Melissa. Power pulsed from him, raising the hairs on her arms.
The man glanced around the office, his gaze sweeping over the two women in the waiting room, who were eyeing him just as hungrily as Melissa was. Finally those icy blue eyes landed on her, and electricity sizzled through her body.
He strode forward without ever taking his gaze from her.
Her fangs ached in her gums. Desire shot through her to pool low in her abdomen. Rarely did she ever react so quickly to a possible partner, but for this man she’d make an exception. Hell, she’d kick Abbey out of her office and do him on the desk if he’d let her.
“Welcome to Fated Match,” Chloe said, slightly breathless herself. “Pairing mates together since 1704.”
Those intense eyes flicked away from her, and Melissa mourned the loss.
“I’m interested in your services,” he said to Chloe.
Melissa bit back a moan as she let the deep, velvety voice roll over her. He had the sort of voice that made women think of wicked acts in tangled sheets.
“Have you ever registered with us before?” Chloe asked.
“First time.” He turned to her and held out a hand. “Tarian Drake. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Melissa Redgrave,” she replied, sliding her hand into his.
Magic snapped at her fingertips as he wrapped his hand around hers. A shiver of awareness ran down her spine. Had she ever lusted for someone this fast before? She couldn’t remember.
“Are you a member, Ms. Redgrave?”
“Melissa, please,” she breathed. “And yes.”
His smile lent a boyishness to his face that was oddly endearing. “Good.”
Taking her hand back, she cleared her throat and glanced at Chloe. “Abbey’s free.”
“So is Vivian,” she replied, pressing a call button. “Mr. Drake, my boss will be out in a moment to handle your intake interview. She’ll be able to field all your questions about our offerings here at Fated Match.”