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rain hitting flower petals. Her hair reminded him of a raven's wings as it flowed in the breeze behind her, along with the breathtaking fragrance of honeysuckle and lavender.
    Then she had come outside and sat on her porch swing. He got close to her, sitting behind her, and wondered if he should shape-shift back into himself and approach her. However, something stopped him—and he didn't know what—still. Now, only a few minutes later, she got up and went back into the house.
    He watched her again through her windows while she paced the floors of her home. She was searching for something in the drawers and bookcases. Then he saw relief flood her face, as she must have found what she was looking for; she was holding a thick book.
    Salena studied one of her old history texts on colonial times. She read and reread about the witch trials and accusations, but she didn't see anything about Abigail Saunders or vampires; not even in the section on the Gypsies.
    Staring blankly at the wall, she almost jumped out of her skin when her cell phone rang. The caller ID revealed it was Michael Payne. Great . She had second thoughts about picking up; Michael had been asking her out for months, but she was hesitant to date him. He was boring, plain, and better suited as a friend; she just couldn't imagine having butterflies or sparks with him. Not after Eric. She'd met Michael six months ago at work, when the historical home hired him as a security guard; although, she couldn't imagine any would-be-criminal feeling threatened by Michael. He was a short man, and the way he carried himself didn't portray confidence. He rarely made eye contact with people, Salena included, and he spoke in a quiet voice. All were reasons why Salena couldn't see herself being romantically involved with him; he just isn't masculine. If she were to start dating again, it would have to be with a handsome, virile, sexy, and strong man. Like Eric . However, she hadn't been looking for love lately; she was still too hurt.
    The reason for Michael's call was to invite her to dinner at her favorite Italian restaurant, Vincent's Italian Cuisine. Thinking a quiet dinner in a public place might calm her nerves, she finally accepted, but on the condition it was, "just as friends and Dutch treat."
    After an hour of scouring her books, Salena hopped in the shower, feeling foolish as she locked the bathroom door and double-checked the window. She lived in a safe neighborhood, by herself, and had never felt the need to be overly cautious… until now. According to legend, vampires—assuming they really do exist—cannot go out into daylight anyway, right ? Then again, it was supposed to be just a legend, so if it's not, who knows what the rules really are.
    An hour later, she headed out the door to meet Michael at the restaurant. She had told him she'd drive herself, thinking that letting him pick her up would feel too much like a date.
    She had no idea, still, that every move she made was being watched and studied. Every inch of her body had been studied, as well, while she was in the shower; this made Devin grow hot and heavy with lust. He ached to touch all that he saw—soon.
     

Chapter 16
    Michael was already waiting for her when she arrived at Vincent's. Being a gentleman, he held the door open for her, and other ladies close behind, and then pulled her chair out for her too.
    Devin watched his behavior with amusement; the man was trying awfully hard to impress Salena, while she didn't seem to care. He was back in human form and found a dark corner near their table, so that he could keep an eye on this mysterious vixen. Just as he sat down, a lustful blonde and a couple of her female companions, approached him. He gave the women a cold, dark glare that quickly sent them away. He only hungered for Salena; although that fact continued to puzzle him—maybe it was just because he always got what he wanted, except for the other night when he'd fled. He watched Salena and her