Dying to Date(4)

“Thank you for your assistance.” His gaze flicked back to her. “Would you recommend the services here, Melissa?”

The sound of her name on his lips lit the blood in her veins on fire.

“They have an excellent reputation,” she replied. “It’s definitely worth your time if you’re serious about finding a mate.”

“Very,” he said. “This agency was recommended by a friend who had success here.”

“They have a high match rate,” she agreed.

“Yes, I remember reading a story about your father finding his mate here, did he not?”

She arched a brow. “You recognized me?”

“Few in our world would not.”

“Then you have me at a disadvantage, I’m afraid. I’ll have to learn more about you.”

Another grin curved his lips. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

A click of heels in the hall signaled the arrival of the grand architect of the agency. Vivian rounded the corner in all her siren glory. For the first time, Melissa felt a twinge of jealousy when looking at the other woman. She was all generous curves and long platinum hair. Her very nature was to seduce and bewitch, and Vivian was a master of all the tricks.

“Hello there,” she purred, stepping forward. “Welcome to Fated Match. I’m free to see you now if you’d like to start the registration process.”

“Excellent,” Tarian said. Looking back at her, he inclined his head. “It was very nice to meet you.”

“And you.” Her fingers found her business card automatically, and she held it out. “In case you decide not to join,” she said.

He pocketed the card with a smile. “I promise to use it.”

With a last look, he turned to follow Vivian down the white hallway.

She and Chloe both craned their necks for a last glimpse of him until they heard Vivian’s door click closed.

“Good god,” Chloe exhaled.

“You had better tell Abbey I want the full scoop the moment he’s registered.”

“Get in line, honey,” she replied. “That man is going to be in high demand.”

And with her luck, she’d probably get a low match rating with him.

“What do you think he is?” Chloe mused.

Melissa shook her head. “No idea but he had a pulse.”

“And magic. Not a witch, though. I would have felt the connection.”

“A were?”

Chloe shrugged. “Maybe, but not a wolf. They have a far more primal energy to them.”

“Well, if he signs up we’ll know soon enough.” She rapped her knuckles on the counter. “Remember, tell Abbey I’ll be expecting her call.”

The witch tossed her a grin. “It pays to have inside access, eh?”

“Fingers crossed.”

Melissa left the office with a smile on her face. Whatever the hell Tarian was, she sure hoped he’d be hers.

Even if only for a night.





Chapter Two


A buzzing vibrated from her purse. Fishing out her phone, she saw Abbey’s number on the screen.

“I expected your call last night,” she said in greeting.

Abbey chuckled. “I know. Tarian’s intake took a bit of time, and I didn’t think there was any point calling during the day while you slept.”

“Fair point.”

“Are you at the office?”

“Yeah.” Her fingers flew over her the keyboard on her laptop. “I’ve got the website up.”

“Search him.”

It barely took a minute before she was staring into the icy blue gaze of his profile picture. Finding the large red match button at the top of the page, she clicked it. The damn color pinwheel spun while she waited for the page to reload.

“Do you see it?”

“Just a sec,” she replied as the page refreshed.

“A 90 percent match,” Abbey said evenly, and the new page came up on Melissa’s computer.

She blinked at the screen. Fated Match advised only contacting members with a match rating of 75 percent or higher. Ninety was as excellent as it was rare.

“That’s amazing,” she breathed.

“I know,” Abbey replied. “And since you just purchased five more handpicked dates, I can guarantee you’ll be at the top of his match list.”

“Excellent news,” she said. “Set it up, and I’m there.”

She scrolled through his profile, skimming the information present. One section, however, was curiously blank.

“Uh, Abbey?” she asked. “What species is he?”

There was a pause. “Well, that’s the thing. He didn’t want to disclose his age or race.”

“What?” She hadn’t even been aware that was an option.