Page 51 of Twilight Longings

“I don’t know …”

“Please, Kadie.”

The tender entreaty in his voice reminded her that they had been lovers. Why couldn’t she remember? Had she loved him very much? It wouldn’t be hard. He was gorgeous and generous. He treated her like a queen. She had the feeling he would give her anything she asked for. If only she could remember!

“Will you stay a while?” he asked.

She nodded. “At least long enough to pay you back.”

Saintcrow took her to dinner at the hotel that night. They were naturally seated right away in the best booth. Menus and a basket of warm rolls arrived immediately. A waitress came to take their drink order.

“It certainly pays to be the man in charge,” Kadie remarked after the waitress left with their selections.

“It does, indeed. Have you given any thought to what you’d like to do while you’re here?”

“The reception desk doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Days or nights?”

“Days, I guess.”

He nodded. “You can start tomorrow, 8 a.m. until five. Is that okay?”

“You’re the boss.”

Their drinks had just arrived when a man and woman strolled toward them. The woman slid in beside Kadie, the man next to Saintcrow. Kadie glanced at Rylan, one brow raised.

“Kadie, these are friends of ours. Rosa and Jason Kincaid.”

“I’m so glad you’re feeling better,” Rosa said, smiling. “We’ve missed you. I know you don’t remember us, but that’s okay. I’m sure you’ll get your memory back sooner or later.”

“I hope so,” Kadie said, smiling uncertainly.

“Are you going to be staying here for a while?” Rosa asked.

“Yes. Saintcrow has kindly offered me a job working as the daytime receptionist at the hotel,”

“I had that job until a few years ago,” Rosa said. “I think you’ll like it.”

“Why did you quit?” Kadie asked.

Rosa sent a glance at Saintcrow, who shook his head imperceptibly. “Oh, you know,” she said. And then she smiled at Kincaid. “We got married.”

“We just stopped by to welcome you back,” Kincaid said, then looked at Saintcrow.

“Sorry.”

“Back?” Kadie glanced from Kincaid to Saintcrow. “What does that mean?”

“You spent some time here with me once before,” Saintcrow said smoothly. “That’s all.”

They were lying, Kadie thought. What were they holding back? And why?

“He’s gonna kill me,” Kincaid muttered as he and Rosa left the hotel. “He didn’t want Kadie to know she used to live here.”

“I think it’s a mistake, lying to her. Why not just tell her the truth?”

“What if you were Kadie and you didn’t know vampires existed and someone told you that not only were you married to a vampire you didn’t remember, but that you’d also been a vampire? What would your reaction be?”