All he had to do was look at her and her pulse raced, her body throbbed. She remembered the feeling of his lips on hers and Christian’s kiss faded from her memory. The lust in Lucian’s expression showed he wasn’t immune to her presence either. At least that was something, she thought.
“Hey.” Christian wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. “Stop making googly eyes at the vamp. I know you’ve got a thing for bloodsuckers but I promise, I’m far more fun.”
She watched anger light Lucian’s face and deliberately turned away from him. Spinning in Christian’s arms, she brushed a kiss against his lips.
“As much as I want to keep you right here,” he whispered, “I see a woman by the bar looking a little lost.”
“You should quit that chef gig and join my team. You’re a natural at this.”
He chuckled as he let her go. “I’ll think about it.”
With a last smile, Abbey headed off to do her job. She’d just finished cheering up an abandoned fey when Melissa appeared at her side.
“Go away,” Abbey ordered.
“I’m sorry. I left the invite by the door and Lucian picked it up. There was no way I could talk him out of coming.”
“Why is he here?” Abbey snapped. “He brought a date so obviously he’s not single.”
Melissa held up her hands helplessly. “When I called to RSVP, Vivian insisted he come, too. She wants to show him off while he’s still on his trial in case no woman sticks. You know my sire is her favorite publicity toy.”
“Vivian.” Should have known. Her boss was a bitch on wheels when a cash cow came her way.
Abbey scanned the crowd for the familiar silver-blond head and saw Vivian by the door. The siren lifted her drink in a salute, a mocking grin on her face.
She gritted her teeth. No doubt Vivian thought this a fair repayment for the way Abbey had monopolized Lucian’s time before last week.
“I need a new job,” she muttered.
Melissa winced. “Look, I’ll try to keep Lucian away from you. I’m sure Fiona will be happy to occupy him.”
She worked hard to keep her face straight and not allow her bitterness to show. “Good plan. Just make sure he stays away from me and Christian.”
“I’m on it.” Melissa disappeared into the crush, leaving Abbey alone at the bar.
Turning her back on the supernaturals, she took a deep breath. Her hands smoothed down her bright dress as she fought for calm. She’d known they’d cross paths one day. After all, he was still using her agency’s services. It was better that it happen now, in a crowd where he couldn’t corner her. Besides, she had Christian on her arm. She’d promised Lucian she wouldn’t wait around pining for him, and she’d followed through.
Lifting her chin, she brought herself under control. If Lucian tried to talk to her, he’d regret it.
“Abbey.”
Dammit. How had Melissa failed so quickly?
Head held high, she turned to face her ex-lover.
Lucian looked as delicious as always. The black jeans he’d chosen fit him like a second skin and the black oxford shirt was crisp and impeccable. He looked far too tempting and she cursed herself for helping to turn him into this irresistible man.
“I have nothing to say to you,” she said, keeping her voice low.
“I came here tonight to see you.”
“With another woman on your arm.” She scoffed. “I hear that’s going well. Fiona, right? Must be a tiger in the sack.”
His eyes darkened at her crass words. “I wouldn’t know.”
“Right.”
“You’re the only woman I’ve thought of this past week.”
She almost weakened. How many nights had she lain awake dreaming of him crawling back to her? Groveling that she was the only one for him?
But she knew it was too good to be true. Nothing had changed except maybe he missed her body. If she let him back in, it would be another purely physical affair until he’d had his fill.
“I find that hard to believe,” she said. “After all, I plan your dates.”
A low growl rumbled from his chest. “I tried to focus on someone else. Tried to take this matching business seriously, but it doesn’t matter. I can’t concentrate on anyone else because you haunt my thoughts.”
“For how long?” she asked, rising to her tiptoes. Their mouths nearly touched but she held herself back. “When we first met, I told you I didn’t date vampires. Nothing about you entices me to change my mind.”
“Ah,” he murmured. “Yes. You’ve moved on.”
“I have.”
“How’s that working out for you?”