Vanda's smile turned into a grimace. "Then you've come to the wrong place. The ladies who come here aren't usually interested in commitment."
Ian slouched against the back of his chair. "Then how can I find her?"
"Maybe I can help." Vanda eased off the desk. "I was thinking about finding a nice guy for myself, so I joined a site online." She sat behind her desk, grabbed the mouse, and clicked. "This is the hottest new place for singles."
Ian leaned over the desk so he could see the computer screen. He scanned the site calledSingle in the City. It boasted more than half a million clients, all in the vicinity of New York. "That willna work for me. I canna date a mortal."
"Why not?"
"I told you. I refuse to deceive the woman I'm courting. I would have to lie to a mortal until I knew she could be trusted. And then, when I confessed my true nature, it would destroy her trust in me. It wouldna work."
"I disagree. It worked for Roman and Shanna."
"He was no' courting her from the start. He just wanted a dentist. Their romance happened accidentally. And believe me, she was verra upset when she found out the truth."
Vanda shrugged. "She got over it."
"I willna lie to the woman I'm courting. So she had better be a Vamp. A Vamp would understand all I've been through. A mortal woman would no' take kindly to the way I used other women in the past. And I wouldna blame her."
"If she loved you, she would understand."
"My mind is made up. All I want is a vampire."
Vanda sighed. "Okay, but I think you're limiting yourself."
"And she must be a bottle-drinking Vamp who is honest, loyal, intelligent, and pretty."
"Now you're severely limiting yourself." Vanda frowned at the computer screen. "Luckily for you, there's a way to tell who's a Vamp." She clicked on her profile. "See this?"
Ian read the line she pointed at.
I enjoy life to its fullest. (V)
"All the Vamps slip these Vs into their profiles," Vanda explained. "It's our secret code to let each other know who we are. If someone asks to meet you, and she doesn't have the V in her profile, you simply refuse."
Ian's heart beat faster. This was not how he'd envisioned hunting for his true love, but it was a lot better than nothing. "It might actually work."
"Of course it'll work. I have a digital camera here." Vanda opened a drawer. "We'll take your photo and fill out your profile. It'll take a few hours."
"Hours?"
"The profile is quite extensive. You'll have to write an essay." Her face brightened. "I know! I'll do it."
"You? Why?"
"Because I'm a woman, and I know what women want to hear. This is brilliant!" She grabbed a pen and notepad.
Her offer was very appealing since Ian had no idea what he should write in an essay. "Remember, it is important to me that ye be honest."
"Of course. But get real, Ian. We can't say you're five hundred years old in your profile."
"I'm four hundred and eighty."
She tapped the pen on the paper, waiting.
"Fine." He groaned. "Ye can say I'm twenty-seven."
"Great." She wrote the number down. "And how tall are you now?"
"Six foot two." He frowned. "Be sure to say I want an honest and loyal woman. Intelligent and pretty, too."
"No problem. Now smile and show me those dimples." She lifted the camera. "And don't worry about a thing. I'm going to make you irresistible."
CHAPTER 2
It was close to dawn when Ian teleported to the back porch of Roman's townhouse on the Upper East Side. He punched the button on his Smart Key wireless remote to disarm the alarm before unlocking the door. The kitchen was dark, except for the backlit digital keypad next to the door. He punched the code to reactivate the alarm.
"Hold it right there," a gruff voice warned him. "Turn around slowly."
Ian turned and spotted the gleam of a Highland dagger, held by a large Scotsman by the kitchen door. "Dougal?"
"Aye." Dougal Kincaid flipped on the light switch. No recognition lit his eyes till his gaze dropped to Ian's kilt. "Is that you, Ian?"
"Aye, it's me. Do ye want to see my ID card?"
"Nay." Dougal smiled as he sheathed his weapon beneath a knee sock. "I recognize yer plaid more than yer face. We dinna expect ye back for another week."