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Seeing the day was so warm, I picked out a flowing white cotton dress that had shoestring straps, a low back, and a hem that swirled almost indecently around my thighs. After slipping my feet into a pair of cute red and white sandals - complete with a wooden stiletto heel, which had certainly come in handy a few times in the past when I'd been caught in situations that required something more persuasive than a mere fist, but less deadly than a werewolf's teeth - I headed out to find the kitchen, Quinn, and my brother.
I found Quinn sitting in the living room, reading the newspaper. His gaze was a caress that slid down my body, and one that had me hot and bothered in an instant. God, what was it about this vampire that could get to me so easily? Okay, he was gorgeous, he was rich, and any woman with half a brain would fuck him in an instant - but there was something else between us. Something deeper.
His gaze slid back up to my hair. "You've cut it."
I nodded, surprised he hadn't noticed earlier. "Yeah. Summer's coming on, and shoulder length is easier to manage."
"It suits you."
"Thanks." I walked into the kitchen, and smelled the caffeine before I found it. "You want a coffee?"
"Yes, thanks."
I poured two then headed back out, handing him a cup before moving over to the window. Ten floors up had my stomach stirring uneasily, but I was careful not to get too close to the edge. If I couldn't see the drop, I'd be okay. Port Phillip Bay stretched out before me, filled with whitecaps that moseyed toward the shore. But given the way the trees tossed, those gentle waves were no indication of the wind's strength. I watched a beach umbrella tumble along the yellow sand, then turned and asked, "Where's Rhoan?"
"He had to go into the Directorate to chase down some files for Jack."
"Then Jack and Kade aren't back yet?"
"No."
I wondered if that was a good sign or a bad sign. Wondered if they'd uncovered anything useful in that place. Somehow, I was doubting this. This whole operation just seemed too slickly run for clues to be left behind haphazardly.
"Any idea how long we're going to be cooped up here?"
He shook his head and folded the newspaper one-handed. "No. Could be a while from the sound of it." His voice was as polite as mine, but his gaze kept slipping down my body and his hunger stirred the air. Hunger that was both sexual and blood need.
"Have you eaten lately?" I asked sharply.
He hesitated. "No."
"Why not?"
He raised an eyebrow. "What does it matter to you?"
"It matters because I can feel your need to eat."
He shrugged. "There's synth blood in the fridge. That'll do for a while."
"In the long run, you can't survive on synth blood."
"No. When that happens, I shall go seduce someone."
Oh yeah. I'd forgotten he only took blood while making love. "Don't leave it to the last second."
He studied me for a moment, then said in a neutral voice, "I have lived more years than I care to remember as a vampire. I don't need a pretty pup telling me what I should be doing."
"This pup was only showing a little concern." I turned away. "I should have known better."
He was silent for a while, but his gaze burned into my back, and slithers of awareness scattered across my skin.
"Can I ask a question?"
"What?" I kept my voice as flat as his.
"Are you wearing any knickers under that dress?"
I almost choked on my coffee. Of all the things I'd been expecting him to ask, it wasn't that. "That's for me to know, and you to wonder."
