Isa shivered. "So many things could go wrong…"
"They won't," Chance said.
She gave him a jaded look. "Sure, you managed to get me to perch on your lap like a kid visiting Santa, but doing that and getting a mobster to spill his secrets is worlds apart. Not to mention that you're the one with the greatest threat of repercussions if you failed. Robert might make things unpleasant for me or Frazier if you can't pull off your hocus-pocus routine, but he'll kill you. You know that, right? Really, I don't understand why you're doing this to begin with."
"I told you it was a matter of honor," Chance replied.
A sharp bark of laughter escaped Isa. "Honor. Who knew anyone still cared about that nowadays?"
Chance didn't reply. Yes, it was true honor was an undervalued commodity according to modern human standards, but in the vampire community, it still had strong merit. Bones had asked him for a favor and Chance had promised to grant it. That meant whatever the risks, he'd take them.
Of course, since he'd spent time with Isa, he knew he'd take those same risks regardless of his sire. He felt drawn to her in ways he hadn't felt for anyone in a long time. In order to see where it led, there were a lot worse dangers Chance would take on than a spoiled-brat mobster.
"I wanted to thank you," Isa said at last, meeting his eyes squarely. "Guess I never have gotten around to doing that. You're taking a huge risk, and whatever your reasons, I really appreciate it."
He smiled. "You're more than welcome, Isabella."
Chance heard her heart begin to thump with an irregular, advanced rhythm. Her gaze flicked to his lips—and stayed there.
His hand was still on her arm. There was less than a foot between them. Isa shivered, but it wasn't cold out. No, the luxuriant new scent drifting from her said she was feeling anything but cold at the moment.
Chance's hand tightened on her arm as he moved closer. Now there wasn't a foot between them, but mere inches. Her pulse sped up even more as he leaned down.
Right before his mouth brushed hers, however, Isa turned her head. Chance didn't follow the movement, but let his lips caress her cheek instead. So soft and warm. It was all he could do to keep his tongue from flicking out and tasting her.
Isa gave a shaky laugh. "I must be really tired. Here I am, engaged to Robert Mini-Mob Bertini, and yet about to make out with a virtual stranger in a public place. For my next idiotic trick, maybe I'll call Robert and dare him to kill Frazier."
Chance's fingers played with the skin on her arm. "Is being in a public place your only objection? Because that can be remedied."
Another sweet wave of scent came off her even as she backed away.
"I-I have to go," Isa stammered, not answering his question. "You'll call me after you speak with Robert, right?"
Chance made no move to stop her. He just stared at her as she got into her car and shut the door a little too hard.
"I'll speak to you as soon as I'm done with him, yes."
"All right." Isa paused, looked like she was about to say something else, then put the car in gear. Chance heard her mutter under her breath, "I must be crazy," right as she pulled away.
He smiled to himself. No, darling, you're not crazy. You're just fighting your emotions—something I learned long ago will always win in the end.
Chapter 5
Isa dreamed her restaurant had turned into a breakfast diner. Frank was whipping up bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, and assorted omelets while coffee brewed from multiple pots. The smell of freshly baked bread permeated the air as Isa hurried from table to table, making sure every customer had what they needed, rotating the order of the tables for the wait staff, and checking food supplies. Meanwhile, she was so hungry. All the sights and smells from the kitchen teased her, making her stomach knot with need. Still, she didn't stop. The responsibilities of the restaurant came first. Once the breakfast rush was over, she'd have Frank fix her a large plate, but until then, there was work to do.
"Isabella."
She turned to see who'd called her name, but all the faces in the diner seemed to blur out of focus.
"Isabella, wake up."
Her eyes snapped open. She was in her house. In her bed, and there was no breakfast diner, no rush of hungry customers to attend to, and no staff to oversee.
So why was it that she could still smell bacon, bread, and coffee?
"Am I going to have to come in there and wake you?" a voice she now recognized asked.
Isa stiffened, pinching herself to make sure she wasn't still dreaming. No, she definitely felt that, and yes, once again, Chance was in her home.