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his throat. “Eh, I don’t mind waiting if you’d like to change.”
    Stephanie crossed to the sofa in a nonchalant manner. “You’ve come to my place unannounced and…” she indicated his civilian attire “…obviously not on official business. Have a seat, Agent Mason.”
    Careful not to flash too much skin, she tucked her legs under the sofa throw and turned off the TV as he settled into the loveseat diagonally from her. After a sip of wine she said, “Are you afraid I’d disappear or something?”
    She didn’t like him here one bit. On the outside, she managed to appear composed, but hormonal chaos raged inside her body. Other good-looking men had never triggered this kind of reaction. But none were vampires, exclaimed the pesky little voice in her head.
    “That didn’t even cross my mind…and please call me Dex.” He paused. “I realized I need to understand your relationship with your brothers so I can better protect you from incrimination.”
    She made a delicate snort. “Let’s say it’s a little complicated.” She took another sip of wine.
    “If you’re on bad terms, I have to know.”
    She considered this for a moment. “We’re not close, but they wouldn’t hurt me…not intentionally, at least.” It was an honest answer.
    “Okay. Why were you trying to protect Jason Kelso?”
    Absently, she plucked at a loose thread on the throw. “He had an altercation with my brothers a while back and I know they don’t like him, so I wanted to make sure he wasn’t around when they got there. I really didn’t know anything about that blood party,” she stressed.
    He inclined his head. “I believe you, Stephanie.” The heat of his gaze moved over her face and shoulders, sending a warm quiver over her skin. She pulled the throw up higher.
    “Victor told me your family doesn’t know you’re dhampir. Why is that?”
    Her heart rate increased as his question hung in the air. She despised the topic and she’d done a good job burying it deep inside her. Even Maryann avoided broaching it. But ever since this agent had forced himself into her life, she’d risked exposing her secret. His probing should have upset her, even angered her, but instead she felt a hollow ache.
    She curled her fingers into the throw and met his gaze. “I’m half-sister to my siblings. My father left Mom when I was a baby. I never knew him, but after I had the genetic test, I figured he’s dhampir and my mother had no idea because she’s never brought up anything to me.” She shrugged. “I just know she believes I’m all human.” She drew in a long breath and expelled it. “On my stepfather’s side, there’s three generations of vampire hunters and you know how that used to be.”
    He was silent a moment before saying, “Let me guess—the doctors didn’t bother telling your mother that her child is dhampir because vampire and human mixes are common now.”
    “That’s what the genetics doctor assumed…and I was healthy so nothing came up.”
    He leaned his elbows on his knees and laced his fingers together. “And you fear your family’s reaction if you told them…particularly your brothers’.”
    Stephanie lowered the glass to the table. “I think you get the picture now.” She was surprised to feel an ease of weight in her core.
    A low grunt sounded in his throat as he gave his head a brief shake. “I had no idea that I’d be putting you in such a difficult position. I’m sorry, Stephanie.” He ran a hand through his hair, messing up the black locks.
    The motion echoed across her skin like warm goose bumps. She’d wondered what his hair felt like the time she’d sat in his car. She had to put more space between them, clear her head.
    “Um, would you like something to drink?” She eased herself off the sofa. “Some tea or coffee…anything?”
    When those smoky eyes fixed on her this time, she felt naked. “Agent Mason…” Silently, she cursed the unsteadiness of her voice.
    His gaze darkened