Page 72 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

She reached for one of the fritters. He watched the way her lips formed around the pastry, the way her eyes widened briefly and darted toward him before she chewed and swallowed. “It’s…really good.”

This time, there was nothing controlled about his smile. “Between you and me? Vittorio had to guide me through every step. Rather embarrassing, actually. You won’t tell anyone, will you? Zola would never let me hear the end of it.”

A little huff left her mouth before she devoured the remainder of the pastry. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Couldn’t ignore the satisfaction of seeing it disappear.

He finished a second. A pleased sigh left him as he leaned back, casually resting an arm over the sofa. Another test, to see if that slight change might set her off. Lily’s gaze frequently darted in his direction, never quite settling. He wished she would just look at him, but they weren’t there yet. She lifted the hot chocolate, humming with delight. “You really made this from scratch?”

He frowned. “Is there…another way that I’m missing?”

She let out another little breathy laugh—the second just this night. “Yeah, there’s packets. You just warm up the milk and sprinkle the powder in. Give it a mix and voila.”

He gaped at her. “You’re joking, right?”

She caught her lip between her teeth, fighting what looked like a smile. He couldn’t stop staring.

“I’m not,” she said at last, this time the words low and breathy.

He let out a playful growl. “Vittorio didn’t think to tell me that. I wonder why?”

She chuckled and the sound had him sitting straighter. Her cheeks reddened and she turned away to stare at the dark window. He couldn’t help but study her unabashedly.

“Is it better?” he heard himself ask.

“Is what better?” Her attention returned to him, but only for a brief moment. Even a mere second was better than nothing.

“My version. Or do you prefer the packets?”

“Your version, definitely.”

Something that might have been his heart gave an unexpected flutter. “Then it was worth it—the time it took to melt the chocolate into the milk.”

“Yes.” She lifted the mug to her mouth again, hiding a soft smile. This was more than he’d bargained for tonight. Far more.

Silence fell between them. He could feel his time with her drawing to a close. Better not to push his luck. So he said, “I wonder if I might seek your permission on something.”

“My…permission?”

It was impossible to miss the way her scent changed, sharpening toward fear and wariness. The way her heartbeat, which had almost returned to normal, sped up.

“I’ve got a meeting scheduled with someone important. May I host them here in the manor?”

Whatever she had been expecting, it was not this. He knew it the moment her vitals returned to normal. “You’re asking me?”

“You are an honored guest here. Part of my family—if you wish it. So, yes.”

“Oh…”

“But I’m also asking because I think you might enjoy meeting them. Two people, actually. A goblin and his mate, a renowned academic by the name of Dr. Eleanor Kennedy, from Walton University.”

“Oh!” Her eyes lit with the kind of delighted curiosity he’d never seen from her. Another victory.

“Zola has told you of the missing vampires?” She nodded. “Good. I’ve asked for their help. Dr. Kennedy specializes in magical artifacts.”

“Magical artifacts?” She leaned forward, fixed on him for the first time, giving him her undivided attention. He preened beneath her gaze. In fact, he wouldn’t mind if she looked at him like this all the time.

He cleared his throat. “Magical artifacts, yes. I’m flying them out. They’ll arrive tomorrow afternoon. Dr. Kennedy is human. I could use your help in making her feel welcome—assuming you are all right with that. Otherwise, I will arrange to meet somewhere in Braxton⁠—“

“No! I mean.” She took a deep breath as if to calm herself, her excitement. “Yes. I’d… I’d like to meet her. She knows about all of this? Supernatural stuff, I mean?”