Page 49 of Twilight Longings

“It’s Saintcrow. I know it’s late, but I was hoping I could take you out for a nightcap. Kadie?”

She hadn’t seen him for a week. Curious to hear what he had to say, she opened the door.

“I’m sorry it’s so late,” he said. “Would you like to go out for a drink or a cup of coffee?”

“I guess so. Just let me find my shoes and grab my coat.”

He watched her leave the room, his nostrils filling with the warm sweet scent of life’s blood, the flowery fragrance of her perfume.

“Where did you want to go?” she asked.

“Wherever you’d like.”

“The hotel bar is fine with me.”

Nodding, he followed her out of the suite and closed the door behind them. Being near her was exhilarating. He listened to the familiar beat of her heart in the elevator, inhaled the scent of her blood, remembered the taste of it on his tongue, the softness of her lips, the way she had always smiled when she saw him. The way she had responded to his kisses even when she claimed to hate him. Kadie, Kadie, come back to me.

They found a table for two in the back. Saintcrow ordered a glass of wine, Kadie asked for a mocha latte.

“How are you doing?” Saintcrow asked. “Do you need anything?”

“No. You’ve been more than generous.”

The waitress brought their drinks. Kadie couldn’t help noticing the way the woman looked at Saintcrow, just as she couldn’t help noticing that most of the women in the place eyed him. She supposed they couldn’t help it. He was, after all, tall and dark and sinfully handsome.

“How did you get that?” Kadie asked, pointing at the thin, white scar on his left cheek. It could have distracted from his good looks, but only added a touch of mystery.

“I was in a knife fight a long time ago.”

“Did you win?”

“Always.”

Kadie sipped her drink, trying to gather the courage to ask the question she had been wanting to ask for days. “You said we’d known each other a long time.”

He nodded.

“And that we were really good friends.”

He nodded again.

“I guess what I’m wondering is … just how friendly were we?”

“We were lovers, Kadie.”

Lovers.The word conjured erotic images in her mind, intimate images of being in his arms, her breasts crushed against his chest, his mouth hot on hers, his hands … She slammed the door on her thoughts as her cheeks grew warm. “Were we still lovers when I got sick?”

“Very much so.” He leaned forward, his gaze searching hers. “You don’t remember anything?”

She shook her head. “It’s so frustrating!” How could any woman forget making love to a man like Saintcrow? Even now, women at nearby tables were still staring at him, their eyes gleaming with lust. “You’d think I’d remember something.”

“I’m sorry I’ve ignored you this past week, but I’ve been busy planning for the town’s grand re-opening tomorrow. I’d love for you to be there.”

“I’d like that.” She had nothing better to do and after reading about the town, she was more curious than ever to see it.

Saintcrow nodded, pleased. Perhaps being in Morgan Creek would stir old memories, although not all of them were pleasant. Still, their whole history together was tied up in the town. “Would you like another latte?” he asked.

“I don’t think so.”