Dying to Date(7)

It’s not worth it, his inner voice cautioned. There are other women.

Some other woman who wouldn’t mean risking expulsion from the city if she ever discovered exactly what he was.

But there was no other woman who made him burn with a single touch. Walking into the agency, all he’d seen was her. All he’d wanted was her. When was the last time he’d had such a strong desire for anyone?

“It shouldn’t matter what I am,” he growled at the fire. He was so much more than his death magic. Not that anyone ever bothered to look deeper.

Even Melissa would run if she knew the truth, and he was sick of being vilified just because of his blood. How many chances had he walked away from? How many missed opportunities for a fulfilling life?

“Not again,” he vowed. He’d come to New York for a new start and by God he’d get one. If dating a vampire wasn’t a radical change, he didn’t know what was.

“I’ll see you Friday, Melissa,” he said, saluting the flame.

For better or for worse, he was done with skulking in the shadows.





Chapter Three


Here’s hoping this date turned out better than her last three, because she could sure as hell use a pick-me-up. Melissa sat in Celeste’s, staring around the elegantly decorated restaurant. Just last night she’d been in an equally stylish establishment meeting with her father and Abbey.

She’d been looking forward to the evening, since she’d seen less and less of Lucian after he’d fallen for her human friend. The prospect of a nice family dinner was one she’d been excited about.

Until Lucian had launched onto his favorite topic—new security measures. Hours that should have been spent catching up had been reallocated to an endless lecture on how she should be protecting herself. He’d even suggested she put her charitable projects on hold and leave the city for the next few weeks, until the necromancer situation was more stable.

Melissa rolled her eyes. Though she was a century old, she’d always be his little girl. The accident that had led to her transformation had also killed her mother, a woman Lucian had loved dearly. Her mother had refused Lucian’s offer to live with fangs, and her father had been unwilling to lose them both. A hundred years later and he was still doing everything he could to keep her safe, no matter how strong she’d grown in her own right.

Melissa downed the last of her water. She needed to relax. Tarian wasn’t responsible for her terrible mood. She just needed to figure out a way to prove to Lucian she could take care of herself.

“A problem for another day,” she said, smoothing a hand over her red dress. She’d chosen the color to complement her hair. It didn’t hurt that the tight material highlighted the few curves she did possess. Not for the first time, she envied Abbey’s curvaceous figure.

Though she could consume food for show, it had no effect on her body. She wasn’t able to absorb any of the nutrients she needed to survive. Only blood sustained her. Luckily Celeste’s was used to catering to a supernatural clientele.

Her sensitive hearing picked up an increase in the human chatter, and she glanced up.

It was easy to see what had caused the commotion.

Tarian threaded his way through the tables, moving like a shark through water. His dark suit added to the severity of his appearance. Nothing softened the icy perfection of his beauty. But despite the fact he looked like he’d be comfortable heading a hostile boardroom takeover or stalking prey through a dark night, the humans in the restaurant were unable to look away.

Nor am I, she thought, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Tarian appeared oblivious of the stir he was causing. He had eyes only for her.

It’d been a long time since she’d been the center of such intense focus.

When he came close, she slipped to her feet.

“Hello, Tarian,” she said, kissing the air above each cheek.

“Melissa.” His hands traced lightly over her waist, but she felt the heat of his touch even through her dress.

“Am I late?” he asked, taking his seat. “Traffic was difficult.”

“I got here early,” she replied. “You’re right on time.”

A slight grin twisted his lips. “Couldn’t stay away, hmm?”

There was no way the heat rising to her face could be a blush. She hadn’t been flustered by a man in decades.

“What do you recommend?” he asked, picking up his menu.

Melissa shrugged. “Not really my forte but I hear the steak is good.”

He glanced at her over the top of the menu. “Would you prefer to go somewhere else?”

“Oh no, I’m used to this. I’ll just order an appetizer and pretend to pick at it all night.”