Love at Stake (Entangled Covet)(33)

All he could do was wonder if he’d ever seen someone so lovely.

The red dress he’d seen her admiring fit her beautifully. It accented her curves and made her legs look long and shapely. His eyes lifted to her generous bosom and wondered if he should have brought something to cover her up. Once his brethren saw her, he’d have his hands full keeping her to himself.

The witch who had gone into Abbey’s office shortly after he’d left smiled behind Abbey. Whatever the woman had done with Abbey’s unruly hair was magnificent. Though he hoped the transformation wasn’t permanent, for the moment her brown hair was straight and pulled back into a sleek updo. The look was elegant and refined, two words he wouldn’t have used to describe Abbey moments ago.

She looked…perfect, he realized. Like someone who not only belonged in his world but thrived in it.

“What do you think?” she asked, teetering a bit in her unfamiliar heels.

“I think you are utterly breathtaking,” he said.

Abbey’s friend grinned widely at him though he could sense waves of displeasure rolling off Vivian. Too bad. For tonight, he was going to enjoy showing off his lovely mortal. Even though he might wish they could skip the reception and head for bed instead. He was curious to see if she’d slipped on the daring underwear he’d bought.

The thought of her standing before him wearing nothing but those scraps of silk had him hard in an instant.

Lucian shifted to a more comfortable position as he held out his arm. “Shall we?”

Her smile grew more confident. Taking his arm, she waved good-bye to her colleagues.

“So where are we going?” she asked as they headed for his car.

“The Met. Ostensibly it’s a fund-raising event for cancer research, but for the supernatural community, it’s a way for different factions to get together and talk politics.”

“Man, restrain your enthusiasm, why don’t you?”

He opened the car door for her before moving to his side. “I try to avoid such gatherings,” he said as he sat behind the wheel. “When you are as old as I am, there is a long list of people you’d rather evade, and an event like this attracts them all.”

“So why go?” she asked as he pulled out onto the street.

“A favor, really. An old acquaintance is part of the planning committee.”

“And she wants your clout at her event.”

He inclined his head. “Yes. I owe her a favor and she’s chosen to collect.”

Abbey looked out at the world flashing past her window. “I’d have thought this was right up your alley, given your job and all.”

“Most of my business is conducted in smaller gatherings or council meetings but you are correct, I will be taking advantage of this opportunity.”

“Just let me know what I can do to help,” she said with an easy smile.

Help from a human. He grinned at the thought. Every other time he’d gone to an event like this, he had made sure to pick the perfect partner. Someone to help him navigate the shark-filled waters of the supernatural elite. Abbey, however, wasn’t that sort of woman. He’d invited her because he couldn’t stand to spend an evening apart. Taking her to his bed should have cured him of her temptation. Instead, he craved her more than ever before.

It’s the novelty, he told himself. Once he’d gotten her out of his system, he’d be back to normal and able to focus on more than his cock.

…

Abbey looked up at the Met with mixed feelings. Spending the evening with Lucian? Fantastic. Doing it in a room of bloodsuckers? Not her favorite pastime.

“Are we late?” she asked, exiting the car.

“One cannot be late to a gathering such as this.” Lucian tossed the valet his keys. “However, different hours will yield different entertainment. I have no intention of allowing you to see what occurs in the wee hours of the morning. We shall stay only long enough to be polite.”

At least they were in agreement on that. One vampire she was growing used to, but she had no desire to be inside a room full of them when the thin veil of civility they wore was removed.

They climbed the steps to the Met and joined the stream of guests heading into the museum. Abbey noticed a few eyes flashing red as they looked at her and tried not to let the sign of vampirism freak her out. She would show Lucian she could handle his world. Even if she felt woefully out of her element.

Lucian handed a white invitation card to the organizers at the door before leading her though the entrance. She’d been to the museum before, but not for years and never after hours. It felt decadent to be at a private event surrounded by such incredible art. Lucian definitely lived a very different life from hers. If these were the perks of dating him, she’d enjoy every minute of it.