Page 117 of Vampire so Virtuous

The intensity in his eyes had faded. Instead, they sparkled, amusement playing at the corners of his shapely lips.

“You’re laughing at me again,” she said flatly.

“Not at all,” he said, mouth quirking, enough to hint at his dimples. He didn’t try to hide it.

Cally tightened her jaw. Why was he so aggravating? So distracting? The queue moved forward, and she took a steadying breath before looking at the bouncers. “So will they recognize you?”

“Possible, but unlikely,” he replied quietly. “They haven’t seen me before. Even if they are thralls—which again, is unlikely—Minh can only monitor one at a time.”

“But Minh will recognize you.”

“If he’s there, yes. I don’t think he uses this entrance, or is much into dancing.”

“What about you, Antoine? Do you dance?”

“You’ll have to wait to find out, won’t you?”

She glanced away again, irritated at herself for asking such a question. “It’s not a date.”

But the arm around her waist tugged, pulling her against his chest. She placed a hand on his shirt reflexively, trying to push back; it was like pushing on a tree trunk.

“What are you—” she began, but he nodded toward the couple in thequeue before them, who had moved forward.

The woman was in the guy’s arms, kissing him.

“Don’t you think we should blend in?” Antoine said, closing the gap in the queue, drawing her on.

“I’m not kissing you,” she hissed quietly, her teeth clenched.

“Going as a couple was your idea. Will we draw more attention or less if we fight every step of the way?”

“I’m not going to kiss you,” she said again, but it didn’t seem strong enough. “I’d rather kiss Minh.”And that was too strong, Cally.

A shadow flitted through his eyes, then his arm slipped away from her waist. “It’s not too late for you to leave. I can do this alone.”

She took a breath, aware that her hand still rested on his chest, feeling his firm warmth through the smooth silk of his shirt.

“Why are you so hot?”

“Comment?” A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

Cally made a frustrated noise. How did they get from arguing about kissing to discussing the warmth of his skin? But it hadn’t been him; it had been her. And damn it, she’d called him ‘hot.’ Not at all what she’d meant. No wonder he’d regressed to French.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I should not have mentioned kissing Minh. It was… petty.”And, frankly, rather disgusting.“I don’t want to leave.”

He gracefully inclined his head. “I accept your apology, but I still think it would be best if you left. Once inside”—he nodded to the club entrance, which was drawing closer as the queue dwindled—“we need to act as one, or we’ll draw suspicion and bring Minh’s thralls down on us.”

“I know. I’ll play the part.” He was right, damn it. And he’d made no comment about her pettiness, just moved on—even though she’d meant to hurt him. “I’m really sorry about saying I’d kiss him. It slipped out.”

To her surprise, he smiled. “I’ve always liked yourfaçon d’avoir du cran.” His accent thickened, enriching the timbre of his voice, the velvety sounds rolling over her. Her heart beat a little faster.

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Your nerve, your guts.” He studied her. “The way you throw the name of my enemy in my face like you’d rather be with him than with me.”

Cally felt her cheeks heat. “I didn’t mean it. I’ve apologized twice. I didn’t mean to be such a… bitch.”

“Is it wrong that now I want to kiss you even more?”