Page 5 of Twilight Destiny

“Hey, Saintcrow, who’s the cute chick?”

Rosa glanced over her shoulder at the man who had come up behind them. He wore faded jeans, cowboy boots, and a black sweatshirt with the wordsVampires Do it in The Darkprinted across the front. A thick, gold band embossed with what looked like Celtic runes peeked out from under his left shirt sleeve. His size, his very presence, were intimidating.

“Jake, this is Rosa. She’s a friend of mine. Rosa, this is Jake Kincaid.”

She nodded, unable to speak or even think while he was looking at her, his gaze moving over her as if he was a hungry wolf and she was the fatted calf.

She shivered when he repeated her name, his voice like liquid velvet as it caressed her.

“Mind if I join you?” Kincaid asked. He was talking to Saintcrow, but he was looking at her.

She couldn’t help noticing that the stranger was incredibly handsome. He was a big man, well over six feet, broad-shouldered, with dusky skin. His hair, long and thick, was the color of rich, dark chocolate, as were his eyes. She usually preferred men who were clean-shaven, but she rather liked his sexy mustache and the five o’clock shadow along his jawline.

“Be my guest,” Saintcrow said. He jerked his head toward a booth in the back. “I see an old friend of mine.”

Rosa stared at him, suddenly alarmed. “You’re going?”

“Not far.” Saintcrow winked at her. “Holler if you need me.”

Kincaid took the stool next to hers as Saintcrow sauntered toward the back of the club.

“Rosa,” Kincaid murmured. “Pretty name for a pretty flower.”

His voice, deep and strangely compelling, sent a shiver down her spine. “Thank you.”

“Have you known Saintcrow long?”

“He’s married to a friend of my sister’s.”

“I see.” He frowned. “What areyoudoing in here?”

She blinked at him. She could hardly tell him the truth. It was too embarrassing. She felt like Alice lost in an alternative Wonderland. Why had she wanted to come here? She was way out of her league. And more scared than she wanted to admit. Being a vampire suddenly didn’t seem as appealing as it had been when she set out for Morgan Creek.

His smile was warm and understanding. “Did Saintcrow dare you to come here?”

“No.” Her gaze slid away from his. “I have a brother and a sister and a cousin who are vampires, and … ”

“And you thought you’d like to be one, too?”

She looked up at him. “How did you know? Did Saintcrow tell you?”

“No.” He took a deep breath, his gaze moving to the hollow of her throat and lingering there.

The look in his dark eyes sent another shiver down her spine. “It doesn’t matter. Anyway. I’ve changed my mind.”

“Not on my account, I hope.”

With a shake of her head, Rosa looked around for Saintcrow. Where was he? She wanted to get out of here, now. The look in Jake Kincaid’s eyes terrified her on some instinctive level. She breathed a sigh of relief when Saintcrow came striding toward them.

Something unspoken passed between the two vampires. Whatever it was made the short hairs along Rosa’s arms stand at attention.

A moment later, Jake Kincaid rose abruptly and headed for the door.

“Ready to go home, Rosie?” Saintcrow asked.

Rosa stared at him, suddenly certain that Saintcrow had brought her here to scare her off, and that he had known perfectly well that meeting Jake Kincaid would frighten the living daylights out of her. Had, in fact, been counting on it.

And she had fallen for it.