Blood Eternal. Toni Kelly

right? Did he say one hundred thousand dollars for four weeks? Her insides took a giant leap. It took every ounce of strength to keep calm and collected. “Yes, sounds great.” His intense gaze held her motionless. “As long as sex is not a requirement.” What had possessed her to say such a thing?

      “Believe me.” He twisted his full lips into a smirk. “I have no need to force sex on you. I am quite capable of finding my own night companions.”

      Heat infused her cheeks as a tremor traveled through her body. Yes, Savannah could imagine he had no issues with women. The man was gorgeous, with his old movie-star looks and wide shoulders. Not to mention, she’d seen glimpses of a charmer, despite the moodiness resulting from a recent attack. Alone and vulnerable, anyone would be shaken up. Even if she couldn’t picture him defenseless, she’d learned the hard way people were rarely what they seemed.

      “Are you cold?” he asked.

      “Hmm?” She turned. His eyes glittered below creased brows. The concern in them chipped away at her defenses. “No, why do you ask?” She twisted the hem of her shirt. His question unnerved her. She hadn’t had a man worry about her in quite some time, especially not one this handsome.

      “You trembled.” Luke checked the rearview mirror as he steered the car back onto the road.

      “Did I?” She cleared her throat. Despite her efforts, memories of her own helplessness floated to the surface of her thoughts. Night, the cold pavement beneath her, numbness. “I guess I remembered something.”

      “If I offended you again, I apologize. You did bring up an intimate subject.”

      “Oh, you didn’t. I’m not sure why I made such a statement...you know, about sex. I’m not usually so forward. I guess I wanted things to be clear.”

      “You are an exceptionally attractive woman,” he said, facing her for several long seconds before he returned his attention to the road. “Nevertheless, I will keep my distance whilst you wish it. Now if you were to change your mind, I would of course do my best to accommodate such a request.”

      “I won’t change my mind.” Her words had left her in a rush, but didn’t seem to bother him. Instead, he tilted his head and curved his lips up in a slight smile. The actions irked and aroused her.

      * * * *

      Savannah was a conundrum. The captivating green-eyed minx almost convinced Luke she could walk away without any money. She had not reacted to his attitude as expected. Most victims laughed away his insults, maintained a positive mood even when he dangled bait. Only on one occasion or two had previous companions objected. Still, none dared put him in his place or threatened to walk away.

      Her reaction should be a breath of fresh air and yet, he could not believe in such a simple outcome. Experience and logic told him she would disappoint him. In two hundred years he had yet to find a victim who’d proved him wrong.

      At the edge of his vision, she sat still beside him, staring straight ahead. The photo Broderick had placed in her file did not do her loveliness justice. The ebony waves of her hair framed her pale profile, lending her a sort of classic beauty.

      He swiped a hand through his hair, trying to ignore his instant attraction. Her presence left him uneasy. Even after drinking two quarts of blood, Luke’s nerves wound tight. Perhaps Broderick’s concern was better placed than Luke could admit.

      “Here we are.” He parked the car and got out. The short walk around to her door provided a much needed respite from her nearness.

      She stepped out, blinked and scanned the empty garage around them. “Doesn’t anyone else live here? It looks abandoned.”

      “I like my privacy. Are you frightened?”

      For a moment their gazes connected and he sensed her trepidation. His need to taunt her grew with his aggression. How long could he continue to fight this darkness within him? “Come, there is nothing to worry about. I won’t let anyone harm you. We will take the elevator.” He retrieved her suitcase, led her to a rusty, old-fashioned elevator and pulled aside the door. “After you.”

      “Uh uh, that doesn’t look safe. How old is this place?”

      “I recently repaired the elevator and am quite confident it works. If you doubt my abilities,” he said, pointing at a door along a far wall, “feel free to take the stairs up eight flights.”

      Her emerald eyes widened and she stepped inside the elevator. With a jerk, the car started up. In the small space, she huddled like a hunted animal. She had cause to be scared but could not possibly realize why. Yet her fear made the air between them oppressive.

      “Almost there.” An inexplicable need to soothe her overwhelmed him.

      When they reached the eighth floor, he pulled open the sliding door. Savannah straightened and released a long sigh.

      “Shocking, you survived.” What could have caused the fright he sensed in her? Who exactly had Broderick sent him?

      “Despite my being in Italy, I’m not usually a risk taker.” She bit her bottom lip and stepped out, leaning along the wall as she walked down the hallway. “This place appears a bit unstable.”

      “I assure you, the foundation is sound. I have not yet gotten around to beautifying the exterior. My door is the last on the left.”

      She turned. “Foundation, exterior? Do you mean to tell me you own this building?”

      “I do. Actually, I run a real estate company and own quite a few buildings. Pardon me.” He slipped past her, brushing along her thin cotton shirt as he took out his key ring. Electricity sparked inside him with the contact and he pulled away quickly. Her hardened nipples drew his gaze for a moment, and he nearly rumbled aloud in appreciation. Amongst her medley of emotions, he grasped arousal. “Follow me, I’ll show you your room.” Walking through his foyer, he tossed the keys in a bowl on an entryway table and headed toward the kitchen and living room area. “The kitchen is stocked with food. Please make yourself feel at home.”

      Luke turned but Savannah no longer stood behind him. What now? He returned to the foyer. “Is something wrong?”

      She spun slowly, mouth wide like a child’s in a candy shop. “It’s beautiful.”

      “Are you not accustomed to fine things?”

      She laughed. “Are you always this formal? No, I’m not accustomed to marble floors and cherry wood.” She smoothed a finger along the dark finish of an entryway table. “I would be satisfied with being able to pay my bills, let alone buying gorgeous furniture. I’d be lucky to find anything half as nice at Good Will.”

      He knew nothing of this good will she spoke of. “Are you are willing to be my companion to buy yourself these luxurious items?”

      Her eyes met his, and he tensed at the sadness evident there. She felt so strongly it pained him to be near her.

      She shook her head. “There is a lot more to life than being wealthy and owning fine things. You’re rich. Do you think money buys happiness? I’ve never found it to be true.”

      What game did she play? A perceptive question and answer. “Neither have I.” The truth left him exposed. He turned away. “If you are ready, I can show you your room.” He lifted his wrist, noting the dial of his watch read fifteen minutes past eight o’clock. “You have forty-five minutes to get dressed. Tonight, we shall go out.”

       3

       Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?

       —Maurice Freehill

      Savannah pursed her lips and followed Luke down a softly lit hallway. Despite Luke’s formal manner, he’d decorated his home with vibrant colors and combinations. That, or hired help had made it inviting. Peach-colored plaster complimented hardwood floors and Persian rugs. Bold, colorful