Night's Touch

Vince stared at Cara's father. It was all he could do to keep from laughing. They were vampires, both of them, yet DeLongpre glared at him like a character out of a gothic novel, asking the hero about his intentions-except that Vince was no hero, and he had no right to court DeLongpre's daughter. Other than the sizzling physical attraction between them, they had nothing in common and no hope for a future together. He knew it, and so did DeLongpre.

Vince blew out a deep breath. "I love her."

"Does she know what you are?"

"Only what you told her."

"Except that she didn't believe me."

Vince shrugged. "Is that my fault?"

"Your whole relationship is built on a lie."

"I know that. Don't you think I know that? I want to tell her, but..."

"You're afraid you'll lose her."

"Yeah."

"And you can't exist without her."

Vince nodded. "Why do I get the feeling you've been down this road yourself?"

"I loved Brenna the moment I saw her, but I never pretended to be anything other than what I am. If you love Cara, you owe her the truth before things go any further."

Vince swore softly.

DeLongpre's eyes burned into him. "You know I'm right, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"So you'll tell her?"

"When the time is right."

Anger rolled off the other vampire. "And just when will that be?"

"How the hell should I know? I don't like..." Vince cut his words off in midsentence as Cara and her mother reentered the room.

"What don't you like?" Cara asked, sitting beside her father.

"The way the playoffs are going," Vince lied smoothly. "My team's losing."

Brenna looked at Vince sharply as she sat down, her expression telling him she had heard the entire conversation between Vince and her husband, and that she agreed with Roshan.

Cara glanced at her father and then at Vince. "All right, what's going on? What aren't you telling me?"

Vince shook his head. "Nothing, darlin'."

"We should go," DeLongpre said, rising. "We didn't mean to intrude."

"You're not intruding," Cara said. "You're my parents. You're welcome here anytime."

"Thanks, sweetie," Brenna said, also rising, "but I think your father's right. We just wanted to come by and make sure you were okay, and you are, so we'll see you Monday night, all right?" She took her husband by the hand. "Come on, Roshan, I think we've interrupted their date long enough."

Cara walked her parents to the door and kissed them good night. She watched them walk down the path and disappear into the darkness, then closed the door behind them. "All right," she said, returning to the living room where Vince waited, "what's going on?"

"Nothing, darlin'. Your father just wanted to know what my intentions are."

"Your intentions toward what... oh!" Embarrassment flooded her cheeks. "You don't mean he was asking about your intentions toward me?" She pressed her hands to her cheeks. "How could he?"

"He's just worried about you," Vince said, drawing her down onto his lap. "Nothing for you to be upset about."

She glared at him. "You can't be serious! He's always trying to... to..."

"To what?"

"Run my life!" She wriggled off Vince's lap, too upset to sit still. "Honestly, I'm twenty-two years old and they treat me like I'm two! Do you realize this is the first time in my life that I haven't had a bodyguard parked outside my door? Of course, all that will change on Monday."

"I think you're forgetting something here," Vince said mildly. "That bodyguard saved your life."

"You saved my life. And his!"

"Hold on now. He was in action before I got there."

"Now you're taking their side? I don't believe it!"

Rising, Vince pulled Cara into his arms. "Calm down, darlin'. They just worry about you, that's all. You can't blame them, you know. They can't be there for you during the day. It's only natural that they'd take steps to protect you."

She looked up at him curiously. "You accepted the fact that my parents are vampires mighty quick, didn't

you?" she asked, frowning. "I remember when I told you, you didn't even seem surprised."

"Didn't I?"

"No. Why weren't you?"

Vince cleared his throat. "You seemed so convinced, I thought it would just make it worse if I doubted you, that's all."

She regarded him for several moments. "Why did my dad think you were a vampire?"

"I don't know. Maybe he saw me at The Nocturne."

Cara shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I mean, if that was true, wouldn't he think all the people at The Nocturne were vampires?"

"I don't know, darlin'." He caressed the last word, hoping to divert her thoughts to something else, something more intimate.

"You wear a lot of black, just like my dad," she remarked, her brow furrowed. "And I've never seen you eat."

Vince swore silently. She was getting close to the truth. Too close. He tightened his arm around her waist, drawing her body up against his. "Speaking of eating," he murmured, "you're looking mighty tasty."

"Not now, Vince."

"No?" Lowering his head, he kissed her, long and slow and deep, until she sagged against him, breathless. Her hands slid under his shirt, her nails lightly raking his back.

She didn't protest when he swung her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. Knowing it might be for the last time, he made love to her tenderly, drawing out each touch, each caress, pleasuring her until he ached inside, until, with a low growl, he buried himself deep within her.

Later, on his way home, Vince cursed himself for his cowardice. He should have told her the truth. Hell, if he had just let her keep talking, she would have figured it out for herself. Instead, he'd kissed her until she was hungry for his touch.

It had been a despicable thing to do, and he had no excuse except that he loved her and couldn't bear the idea of existing without her. He knew he would have to let her go sooner or later, but, dammit, he didn't have to like it.

Every time he saw her, he told himself it would be the last time, even though he knew it was a lie.

And yet, how much longer could he go on deceiving her now that she was asking questions? And what was he going to do about going to Sarah Beth's house? He couldn't very well go to the woman's house for dinner and then not eat!

Damn! He hadn't eaten solid food in a year. He supposed he could plant the suggestion in their minds that he had eaten dinner with them, but he hated to deceive Cara and her friends that way. He swore a vile oath. Letting her believe he was human was a far bigger deception.

Disgusted with himself and his own company, he drove on past his place and headed for The Nocturne.

Late as it was, the club was in full swing. Vince took a seat at the end of the bar, his gaze sweeping the

couples on the dance floor. As usual, most everyone in the place, including himself, was wearing black.

The thought made him frown. He hadn't started wearing black until he'd been made, and then it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. He supposed he gravitated toward it unconsciously. He was a creature of the night now. How better to blend into the darkness that was so much a part of him than to dress in black? He wondered if it would throw Cara off the scent if he started wearing brighter colors again.

He glanced at the woman beside him. She was eating a chili cheeseburger and fries. Curious to see what would happen if he ate solid food, Vince ordered a hamburger, even though the smell of cooked meat made his stomach churn.

When his order arrived, he stared at it for several moments before taking a bite. It seemed odd to be chewing solid food. He swallowed quickly and knew he'd made a huge mistake.

Bolting out the club's back door, he ducked into the bushes. The burger tasted far worse coming back up than it had going down.

He was wiping his mouth when he heard the sound of merry laughter behind him. Turning slowly, he came face to face with Mara.

She shook her head in astonishment. "What: are you doing? Have you learned nothing since I brought you across?"

Vince shrugged sheepishly. "I had to try."

"Whatever for? I know you don't have any desire for food."

"I've been invited to dinner."

"Ah. I take it you still haven't told your little mortal what you are."

He shook his head. "No, but she's starting to get suspicious."

"You can't hide the truth forever," Mara said, slipping her arm through his. "Come, I know just the thing to take that awful taste out of your mouth."