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century. He couldn’t keep going like this, but he didn’t know how to change. He gazed down at Claire, glad she couldn’t see his thoughts and realize how screwed up he was.
    “Why don’t you let me decide that,” she murmured.
    The car swung around a sharp corner and William braced his arms to keep from tumbling off the seat. He preferred carriages, they moved slower, but no one drove them anymore and he hadn’t bothered to learn how to drive a car. The vehicle came to a stop. He could tell the driver to take her home and be done with it.
    “Last chance, Claire. Do you really want to come up?”
    “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
    “I’m just making sure you know what you’re getting into.”
    “I know what I agreed to. Fucking and biting, right?”
    William stared down at her for a moment longer, then shook his head and moved off her. He was beginning to wonder if the cute guy with the green hair would’ve been a less troublesome choice to enchant. Maybe, but he’d really wanted a woman tonight. However, Claire was proving to be just a little more than he could handle. He opened the door and held it for her as she managed to get out without flashing her panty-less behind. His bad luck.
    Maybe he was just unused to being challenged. They were either awestruck or so easily enchanted they agreed to anything. He smiled as he watched her walk toward the door. Maybe he’d been looking for a little trouble and that was why his magic had settled on her so fast. He shut the car door and followed her to the rear entrance of the hotel. Maybe Claire was just what he needed to shake up his routine and remind him there was more to life than Lucinda’s Lover.
    * * * * *
     
    Claire’s cheeks ached from the grin that kept creeping up. She was in Absinthe’s hotel room. And not just any hotel, but the most exclusive non-human hotel in Sydney. Her blood fizzed with excitement. She’d got here. She’d not only hooked up with Absinthe, the lead violinist of Lucinda’s Lover, she’d gotten an invite back to his hotel. Thank you, Fate.
    Even in the low lighting, she could see that the hotel room was bigger than her flat. There was even a baby grand piano in the living area. She ran her hand over the back of the plush cream sofa. He walked through as if not noticing the luxury around him; no doubt he was used to it everywhere he went. And he was probably used to girls like her falling all over him, if they weren’t under his spell. Although she had the distinct impression very few made it this far.
    Why her? Did he know she’d faked being enchanted? Or was it because she’d offered blood? She swallowed and touched her neck where he’d kissed.
    Once he bit her, he’d know what she was. He’d know she was immune to his spell and then the game would be up. All Vampires knew Shaman blood tasted of dirt, the same way they knew they couldn’t bite a Were without going insane. It’s what they were taught. The same way she’d been taught that being with a Vampire was wrong because of some ancient battle and archaic ruling.
    A shower started. She glanced toward the bedroom. Well, she’d best make the most of it before he worked out what she was. If she was quick, she could be in Absinthe’s shower. And maybe she could delay the inevitable bite. For a moment she considered being up front and telling him, but then he hadn’t exactly been honest with her. He hadn’t even admitted to using magic. She shrugged. She was here for sex, not the swapping of secrets.
    Claire pulled off the bustier and let it fall to the floor. She put her foot on the piano stool and unlaced her boots, her fingers fumbling in the dimly lit room as she tried to rush. Only the lights from Sydney Harbor broke the darkness.
    Vampires and lights. They didn’t need them and forgot everyone else did.
    She closed her eyes and made herself take a full deep breath to center herself. Absinthe was just a man. His fame wasn’t him. Yet she couldn’t tamp