Page 10 of Touched By Moonlight

A hand on my chin, lifting it up to meet Nicolas’ quiet and suddenly understanding gaze. “Never apologize for eating, Sienna. Not in front of us, or anyone. We getit.”

As he dropped his hand, I blinked away a sudden bout of tears and glanced at Stephan. “Have you ever been so hungry while watching someone else eating a huge meal, you can’t wait until they’re done because you want the leftovers?” I askedhim.

Stephan nodded, his expression tight. “We’ve beenthere.”

Nicolas reached over, gave his shoulder a quicksqueeze.

They weren’t judging me. I had the feeling they did know exactly what I meant. I rushedon.

“I’ve been on the road a lot. Had a job cleaning tables in an upscale restaurant in Houston. The pay was horrible. I was broke all the time, spending my money on rent. One time I got so hungry I decided to eat the scraps. I kept staring at this couple, her in a long red dress, and he was wearing a tuxedo. They feasted on all this food, including this amazing looking lobster thermidor, drinking Dom Pérignon as if it were water. I couldn’t wait until they finished. By the time I cleaned off the table, there was nothing left. Not even a scrap ofasparagus.”

Silence for a moment. Why did I share so much information? I liked to keep my lifeprivate.

“I know what Nicolas and I would have done,” Stephan finallysaid.

I glanced athim.

“We’d have burst in there, eaten the couple and the dinner aswell.”

Shame forgotten, I laughed. “Sounds good. As long as you left medessert.”

“You should stick with us, Sienna. You’d never go hungry again,” Stephan said earnestly. “We always have food. I love to cook. I’d make you a prime rib that is out of thisworld.”

This was too intense and personal. “You say that to all the girls?” I askedlightly.

“Only the ones we want to eat later… in a different manner.” Nicolas winked atme.

The wink could have been seductive or sly. I couldn’t tell. But the friction between us seemed to ease. I wondered why. Because I shared the fact that I’d gonehungry?

Stephan finished his beer and looked lost in thought. “I once dated a red-headed witch who loved to eat out. We only went out a couple of times. She said I was savage werewolf. I don’t like to… take women out to dinner ondates.”

Nicolas stared at me, his expression tight again. Ignoring him, I touched Stephan’s hand. “Of course, you’re a werewolf. And she was a bitch, not awitch.”

His gaze haunted, Stephan shook his head. “Women don’t seem to likeme.”

A fierce kind of protectiveness came over me. I knew his angst, the feeling of being rejected. I went to him and kissed his cheek. “You are a werewolf and one of the nicest I’ve ever met. The ones that don’t like you don’t know the real you, Stephan. Forget about them. There’s others outthere.”

Stephan smiled finally and Nicolas gave me an approving nod, as if I’d passed some unknown test. I didn’t know what that was about. He gave Stephan’s shoulder another quicksqueeze.

And then the mood in the bar seemed to change, as if the crowd had partied itself out. My nostrilstwitched.

A feeling of dread slithered down my spine. Something was coming. Something dark and nasty and oh sobad.

Cass was bustling at the bar. I excused myself. Dinner was over, and judging from my instincts, people wanted out.Now.

“Have to dash. Thanks for the company while Iate.”

“You’re special Sienna,” Stephan said, almostshyly.

I dropped another kiss on his cheek. “So are you. I have to get back towork.”

“No kiss for me?” Nicolas asked dryly as I started to walkaway.

I turned before he could make another smart ass remark and kissed him, hard and deep and quick. He fisted a hand in my hair and kissed me back, equally intense. Nicolas tasted of beer and darkness and a good time between the sheets. The empty space between my legs throbbed withneed.

He was as sexy and arousing as Grayson, in a differentway.

When I pulled away, I felt shaken. I really needed a session with my vibrator. Why was I kissing these guys tonight? Usually I had tightercontrol.