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Yes, it bothered her that killing was easy for him, but it had nothing to do with the fact he was a vampire. Humans were just as bad, if not worse, to one another. He’d lived ten times as long. The things he must’ve seen or done, and there was something else. She sensed a trace of sadness in him. Could vampires feel emotions such as sadness and regret? Was it possible?
“How did you become a vampire?” She changed the topic before she could further examine her feelings.
His eyes widened. Did she break some taboo? Was it rude in vampire circles? Like asking a woman’s age? It seemed silly for someone a thousand years old to consider anything rude, but in her short time here, she’d learned vampires were weird like that.
He looked out the window, his face unreadable. Leah studied his masculine features and resisted the urge to trace her fingers over the square-cut jaw and high cheekbones. When he spoke, his rough voice caressed her skin.
“I was dying after some battle. I don’t even remember what we were fighting for, probably some piece of land.” His mouth curved in a self-deprecating smile.
Leah saw the thirty-something man instead of the thousand-year-old Ruler of Vegas everyone feared. She hadn’t imagined the sadness after all.
“We were always fighting. I was bleeding out on the ground. Then Alistair showed up and asked me if I wanted to live. It was an easy decision. Who would choose death over life? So here I am.”
“Do you ever get bored? You’ve lived more than a thousand years, right? How do you keep life interesting?”
“When I get bored, I usually go aground for a few decades or a century. Everything becomes new and exciting afterward.”
Going aground. Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall why it sounded so familiar. Right, it was one of her lessons. Vampires could shut down their bodies. Outwardly, they looked dead. Their bodies even looked desiccated, like a mummy, but they weren’t truly dead. All they needed to wake was blood. A shiver skittered down her back.
“Do you regret it? Becoming a vampire?”
“Maybe once a century.” His steadfast gaze penetrated her soul, where something inexplicable shifted. “But immortality has its perks, like impressing beautiful young women.”
Julian congratulated himself on keeping his hands to himself when Leah huffed. He’d thought he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from kissing her the minute they were alone in the car. His control was slipping by the second with her enticing scent mixed with their desire.
He suppressed a groan. He’d done his best to stay away, but no matter what he did, she was a thorn in his side and occupied his thoughts like no other. It helped little that she seemed to find every opportunity to see him.
He’s caught on to her little game. As a spy, her handler must have ordered her to watch his every move. If she could seduce him, it would make her job easier.
It made his blood boil that she thought she could play him on his own turf.
If they were going to play, they would play by his rules.
But why on earth did he pick a restaurant so far? He should’ve taken her to a place in the Central Tower. But he’d decided it was a good idea to trap her with him in a car.
Since when had he become such a masochist?
“I’m not impressed.” Her silky voice brushed over his skin like a lover’s caress.
“Then I must try harder.”
Before Julian could show her what he meant, the vehicle stopped, and Tristan announced, “You’ve arrived, sir.”
Perfect timing.
Julian opened the door and slid out, holding it open for Leah. He held his breath as she sashayed past him. Her black dress did nothing to hide her curves and her perfect ass. His hands clenched into fists at his side so he wouldn’t touch her.
The host greeted them with a welcoming smile. “Mr. Blackmore, welcome. Your table is ready.”
Julian followed Leah, taking in the chance to enjoy her backside. Halfway through the restaurant, she glared at him. “Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“The staring.”
“Why? You’re beautiful.”
A low rumble emitted from her throat. If she were a vampire, she’d have clawed his eyes out. As it was, she sniffed and stalked after the host. He enjoyed antagonizing her too much to stop.
