Night's Promise(6)

She shook her head. “I majored in folklore in college. Not exactly in demand these days.”

“I guess not. You should have been taking classes in aerospace engineering and computer programming.”

“Tell me about it.”

Derek smiled at the waitress when she delivered their order.

Sheree noticed the tip he left was more than the cost of their drinks. A good sign, she thought. She had dated a lot of guys who claimed to be wealthy, but expected her to pay for dinner.

Sheree took the glass he offered her. “Last night we drank to new beginnings,” she said. “What shall we drink to tonight?”

His gaze moved over her, blatantly bold. “Getting to know each other better?”

Everything female within her responded to the heated look in his eyes, the sexual intimacy implied in his suggestion.

With a nod, she lifted her glass, felt his gaze linger on her throat as she swallowed.

Derek glanced at the dance floor. Several couples were locked in each other’s arms, rocking back and forth in time to a low, sensual beat.

He jerked his chin at the dancers, then held out his hand. “Shall we?”

Her hand was small and warm in his as he led her onto the floor and drew her into his arms. Wonderful pastime, dancing, he thought. The perfect excuse to hold her close, feel the welcome heat of her body against his. Being this close to him made her nervous. He knew it by the sudden uptick in the beat of her heart.

“So, I gather you’re really into the whole vampire scene,” he remarked after a moment.

“They fascinate me. Of course, rationally I know they don’t exist, but . . .” She shook her head. “I can’t help believing they do.”

“And what do you think they’d be like, if they were real?”

“I’m not sure.” It was hard to focus when he was so close, when his breath was warm against her cheek. He held her lightly, yet she was aware of a barely leashed power lurking just beneath the surface. “What do you think?”

“I suppose it would depend on the vampire.”

“Oh? In what way?”

He drew her closer, inhaling the fragrance of her hair and skin, the faint coppery scent of the warm red tide that flowed silently through her veins. “I imagine vampires are like people in most ways. Some good, some bad. Some brave, some not. Some happy with their nocturnal lifestyle, some wishing for relief.”

“Hmm. I never thought of that.”

His knuckles stroked the side of her neck. “You’ve obviously never considered the danger, either.”

She shivered at his touch. “What do you mean?”

“Vampires are born predators.”

“Even the good ones?”

“Even the good ones.”

“But you don’t believe they really exist, do you?”

He was about to say he knew they did when a familiar scent wafted through the air. Looking toward the entrance, he swore under his breath, then led Sheree back to their table.

“Is something wrong?” Sheree asked, sliding into the booth.

“Oh, yeah,” Derek said, still standing. “My sister is here.” The lie rolled easily off his lips. After all, he couldn’t very well introduce Mara as his mother, not when she looked younger than he did.

Sheree glanced past Derek to see a slender woman gliding toward them. “She’s lovely,” Sheree murmured, although lovely didn’t really do the young woman justice. Her skin was smooth and clear, her figure slim and perfect. Hair as black as ebony fell down to her hips.

The woman smiled as she approached. “Derek, how nice to see you.”

“Sister, dear.” He didn’t ask what she was doing there, but the question was implied in the tone of his voice.

“You must be Sheree. I’m Mara.”

“I’m pleased to meet you. Won’t you join us?”

“No, thank you.” Mara laughed softly. “I just stopped by for a drink.”

“Do you come here often?” Sheree asked.

“Now and then, when I’m thirsty. I don’t want to intrude on your evening, but it was lovely meeting you, Sheree.”

Rising on her tiptoes, Mara kissed Derek on the cheek, then melted into the crowd.

“You two seem very close,” Sheree remarked. “I always wanted a sister, or an older brother.”

“Yeah, me, too.” Derek slid into the booth, his gaze following his mother’s progress toward the bar. What the hell was she doing here? As if he didn’t know. “Do you want another drink?”

“I don’t think so.” Sheree frowned. “Mara. That name sounds familiar somehow.”

“Does it?”

She leaned forward, one elbow propped on the table, her chin resting on her hand. “I overheard a couple of men mention it one night. But they were talking about vampires, so I’m sure it was another Mara.”