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irresistible.
    He wrenched his gaze away from her and
tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
    “I’ll do what I can.” He choked out the
words. “Tomorrow I’ll put out some feelers and let some of my
contacts know that I’m looking for someone. I’ll see if I can get
reservations at some of the other more private clubs, and I’ll pick
you up.” What was he saying? Pick her up? Take her with him? He
should have pushed her out of the car and driven away as fast as he
could. The playacting tonight was just that. It wasn’t real. Her
arousal--his own--were just illusions. Her fear and her naiveté
made her seem, just for a moment, like she was giving herself over
to something she wanted but was afraid to admit to herself. He
would have given anything to see that happen, to watch her discover
that part of herself she so obviously denied. He was kidding
himself. When she’d obeyed his command to lick a drop of her drink
from his fingertip, he’d caught the most alluring glimpse of
something wanton in her eyes.
    Then it was gone.
    The challenge she’d just issued to him was no
more than a schoolyard taunt. She thought she could handle it, but
she had no idea.
    “I’ll come a little early,” he continued,
pushing his doubts to the side. “And we’ll go over a few more
rules. You did well tonight, but tomorrow we’ll be in places where
vampires don’t take new feeders. You’re going to have to act like
you’re used to this world.”
    She nodded. Something tightened in his groin
at the thought that she might be eager to learn more.
    “Wear something ... different.” He resisted
the urge to touch the fabric of her blouse. “Elegant. Preferably
black. No jewelry, no perfume.”
    “Lower heels?” The hint of amusement in her
tone disarmed him. If he hadn’t been fighting so hard to hold it
together, he’d have taken her right then.
    “Yes. And ... I’ll have to bite you again.
Just a little.” Would a little be enough? Could he stop again at
the smallest taste? Her flavor lingered on his tongue still, and
the memory threatened to drive him mad. He’d have to make sure he
fed well tonight.
    “As long as it won’t hurt.”
    “It won’t hurt,” he assured her as she
climbed out of the car. At least it won’t hurt you.
     
    * * * *
     
    Erica left her clothes in a pile on the
bathroom floor and stepped into the steaming spray of the shower.
Hot needles of water dug into her flesh from the massaging
showerhead, and the glorious sensation made her sigh.
    The tension that had built in her muscles
since the moment she’d laid eyes on Maxwell Hart finally loosened
and drained away. In its place a weakness washed over her that
frightened her.
    She leaned against the cool tiles and gulped
the humid air. What had she gotten herself into?
     
    * * * *
     
    Her scent lingered in the car. Max opened the
windows and picked up speed to keep the cool air in his face. He
had half an hour until daybreak, and he had to feed soon or he’d
end up back at Erica’s apartment. He couldn’t go back to After
Dark. At this hour, Kyra was his only option.
    A quick detour to the highway brought him to
her development. At 4:45 he knocked on her door.
    He sighed heavily and sidled through the door
when she appeared. “I need you.” He hated taking advantage of her
like this, but her seductive smile told him she didn’t mind.
    Once inside he leaned against the door and
took in her familiar scent. The place looked the same as always:
clothes and Chinese takeout containers littered every available
surface. Under the layer of flotsam, her new furniture looked worn
and outdated. A red jar candle flickered on the mantle where a
picture lay face down. Max detected the aroma of cinnamon
overlaying the lingering essence of moo goo gai pan.
    With a sigh, he followed her to the bedroom
of the bungalow, his eyes on the faint remnants of the mark he’d
left on her neck a week ago. She shrugged off her robe as she
walked, leaving the