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As she had every time before.

He knew she didn’t love him, nor should she. He was her tormenter, her warden, and her nightmare. He knew if they were to enjoy a night of passion, it would not be love that inspired it. He might be a hopeless romantic, but he was also a realist.

Beggars can’t be choosers.

“There is a cemetery nearby here.” He broke the long silence between them. “My plan had been to treat you to a nice dinner and then take you for a stroll.”

And like the sun breaking the thundercloud, the moment was over. She laughed and leaned her elbow on the table. “You’re taking me on a date to a graveyard? Holy shit, that’s such a cliché.”

“What?” He arched an eyebrow. “I thought you liked graveyards.”

“I do. I love them. But you’re taking your date to a graveyard, and you’re a goddamn necromancer.”

“I fail to see the problem here.” He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “If you don’t want to go, then we can just return home.”

“Nah. I’m having fun. I’m not ready to go back and deal with Skellie McCockblock.”

He was glad he hadn’t been drinking when she said it. He would have sprayed gin all over the table. As it was, he let out a single bark of a laugh and shut his eyes. “He is protective of you. I don’t fault him. He means well, even if it does make him a bit of a—what’s the word? Buzzkill?”

“Look at you, trying to be all modern. Don’t pull a muscle.”

“I think I do just fine, thank you very much.”

“Sure. Whatever you say.” She pondered him for a moment and seemed to make up her mind about something. “Let’s finish our drinks, and you can take me around this old cemetery of yours.” A wry smile twisted her lips, the meaning of which he could only guess, but sent a thrill of something through him that he could not quite describe. “Sounds fun.”

Suddenly, Gideon suspected he was no longer the hunter.

Suddenly, he suspected he was the prey.

We’ll see about that. I warned you about playing with fire, my darling princess. Far be it from me to spare you from the burns.

Hailing the waiter, he asked for the check.