Page 16 of Twilight Destiny

“I’m beginning to wonder if you’re as formidable as everyone says.”

“Is that right?” He unleashed a hint of his preternatural power.

Rosa tensed as it slid over her, remembering all too clearly the last time he had done so. It had been much stronger then and she had no desire to experience it ever again. “All right, I take it back! You’re the most dangerous man on the planet.”

“And don’t you forget it. As for the woman in Mexico, there were too many pretty females in the world to fight over one,” he said with a shrug.

“Unless that one is Kadie?”

“Exactly. Are you going to keep seeing Kincaid?”

Rosa worried her lower lip between her teeth. “I don’t know. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Maybe you’re right and I should wait a while before I make any long-lasting, life-changing decisions.”

“Honey, I’m always right.”

“Of course,” she said dryly. “The thing is, I don’t want to stop seeing him, either.”

“Well, that’s a decision you’ll have to make on your own.”

“I know. Do you think he’ll hurt me?”

“He might break your heart,” Saintcrow said, “but he won’t turn you against your will, or harm you in any way. Partly because way down deep, he’s a pretty decent guy, and partly because he knows I’ll destroy him if he hurts you physically.”

Rosa nodded. “Good to know,” she said, rising. “I’m going up to bed.”

Saintcrow watched her climb the stairs, wondering which would win out—Rosa’s growing affection for Kincaid, or her good sense.

Chapter Six

Rosa went to lunch at the restaurant in town the next afternoon. The place was crowded and she counted herself lucky to get the last table. She felt a little silly, sitting alone at a table for four, but what the heck, that’s all they had, and she was hungry.

She had just turned in her order when a man neatly dressed in a pair of gray slacks and a sports coat approached her.

“Sorry to bother you,” he said, “but would you mind sharing your table with me? I’ll buy your lunch.”

Rosa hesitated a moment, but figured she was safe enough in a room full of people. “Please do,” she said. “And I can pay for my own lunch, thank you, anyway.”

He smiled as he pulled out a chair and sat down. “As you wish, Miss … ”

“Ravenwood.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Paul Rhinehart.”

“What brings you to Morgan Creek?”

“Curiosity. I’m a reporter.”

“Oh?” He was of medium height, with light brown hair and eyes, and an easy manner, as if he was comfortable in his own skin. She thought he was probably in his late thirties or early forties.

He looked up when a waitress approached the table. “I’d like a roast beef sandwich, fries, and coffee,” he said in answer to her query.

The waitress nodded, then smiled at Rosa. “Your order will be up shortly,” she said. “We’ve been really busy today and we’re a little short-handed.”

“No problem,” Rosa assured her with a smile.

“You’ll probably think I’m crazy,” Paul said, when the waitress left to turn in his order, “but I heard this place used to be run by vampires.”

Rosa stared at him for a moment, then forced a laugh. “Vampires? Seriously?”