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the ensuing silence, Darius turned to Lexi. "Adrian's getting me a ticket to fly to Seattle-on a plane."
    "Oh, good. If you'd like, I can go with you to the airport and make sure you get on the right flight."
    Darius almost sighed in relief. This flying stuff was all new to him. But before Darius could tell her he'd like that very much, Adrian's voice came back on the line. "Okay. The best we can do is a flight out of LaGuardia at eight a.m. Do you think you can make that?"
    "Yeah, no problem."
    "Okay, then. I'll be there waiting when you land. I'm sorry I can't get you here any sooner, but I imagine you can find a way to pass the evening."
    "Oh, yeah," Darius said, letting his gaze travel over Lexi.
    He heard Adrian chuckle. "Seven hundred years is a long time to go without the pleasure of female company. Think you remember how things are done?"
    "Some things are never forgotten," Darius assured him.
    "Okay, well, be careful. I wouldn't want you to sprain anything important. I'll see you tomorrow. And Darius," Adrian added, "I'm glad you came."
    Darius smiled. "Same here."
    There was a click on the phone and Darius handed the instrument back to Lexi. The light spilling in from the window caused some strands of her jet-black hair to appear almost blue.
    "So. .." she said hesitantly. "I guess you'll be pretty busy for the next couple of weeks."
    "I would imagine so." He slowly moved toward her. "Do you think you might be back this way when you're done?"
    He smiled because despite her attempt to sound casual, he heard the eagerness. The sexual energy radiating off her brushed his skin and ignited his hunger. "Absolutely."
    He saw her reach into the front pocket of her shirt, and as her hand rubbed across her breast, he felt a rush of raw, sexual need course through him. He stopped directly in front of her and watched as she pulled out something small and white. "Here's my card," she said a little breathlessly, holding it out to him. He took the piece of paper from her and held it up, looking at the numbers printed on the front. She gestured to it. "It's my work address and phone, but on the back-that's my cell phone number." She shrugged. "You know, in case you ... wanted to get in touch with me again."
    He looked at the card for a moment longer, then tucked it into his pocket. Then he cupped her face with his hand and leaned in slowly, giving her a chance to pull away. He caught the faint catch in her breath and almost smiled. Then his lips touched hers.
    She felt cool against his heated lips and tasted like the sweetest fruit after a lifetime of starvation. Nearly senseless with the need to be inside her, he fumbled one-handed with the fastenings of his pants.
    "What are you doing?" Lexi gasped.
    "Taking off my clothes," he said, shoving down his pants in order to free his straining member.
    She pushed against his chest looking shocked. "Why?"
    He smiled. "So we can have sex."
    "What?"
    Her indignation was so unexpected that an unlikely thought occurred to him. "Are you a virgin?" he asked, automatically reaching to pull up his pants.
    "No, but-"
    "Great, he interrupted, relieved. "Then there's no problem." Again he started to push down his pants.
    "I'm not having sex with you," Lexi said forcefully.
    He stopped undressing and looked up at her abruptly. "Of course you are. You find me attractive. I find you attractive. I can feel your need beating at me. The only question is: Do we do it here on the floor? Or should we take the time to find a bedroom?"
    Her eyes sparked with indignation. "I'm a werewolf, and we're about seven days away from the full moon. Right now, I'd find a troll attractive, so don't flatter yourself."
    He'd never forced a woman to have sex with him, and he wasn't about to start now. Clearly, he needed to brush up on his charm.
    Fastening his pants, he gave her a knowing smile. Whether she believed it or not, she wanted him, and sooner or later, he intended to have her.
    If seven hundred years in