“I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. “I have to take this. I told Cliff and his friends to call me if he should need anything, so I want to make sure he isn’t worsening.”
“Of course,” she said, understanding. But she couldn’t help but feel disappointed as she lowered her heels to the floor, slid her hands down his chest, and released him.
Aidan kept his eyes closed as though savoring her touch while he tugged his phone out of his pocket. “So tempting.”
She chuckled.
Turning away, he answered the call. “Yes?”
Dana’s body tingled as she watched him pace away a couple of steps.
“Yes,” he said again. “Why? Do you need me?”
Say no, she mentally willed whoever had called. Please, say no. Say you were just calling to shoot the breeze, because I really want this man naked in my bed tonight. She smiled. Even though he’s so tall his feet will probably hang off the end by quite a bit.
“Where?”
Her heart sank at Aidan’s brusque tone.
“Okay. I’m on my way.”
Tucking the phone in his pocket, he withdrew his keys and turned to face her. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
She bit her lip, reading the concern in his gaze. “Is it your friend? The one who’s ill?”
He nodded. “And the matter is of some urgency.” He backed toward the door, the bulge in his pants and the regret on his face indicating he would’ve much rather stayed and explored every inch of her body. “Forgive me?”
“Absolutely.” Smiling, she closed the distance between them and gave him a quick kiss. “See you tomorrow?”
“Hell, yes,” he said, giving her a heated look full of promise.
She grinned.
Hurrying out the door, Aidan jumped in his car and sped away.
“Damn,” Dana said on a sigh as she watched him through the window.
The bell above the door dinged again as a woman entered, glancing back over her shoulder.
Marietta, Dana’s next-door neighbor, arched a brow and eyed Dana speculatively as the door swung shut behind her. “Was that the handsome Scottish hunk you’ve been spending all your nights with?”
“That’s him,” Dana confirmed with a smile.
Marietta shook her head. “No wonder I hardly see you anymore. I’d spend every waking moment with him, too, if he were mine. He is freaking hot.”
Dana laughed.
Marietta’s smile dimmed a bit. “Nothing’s wrong though, is it, hon? He left in an awful hurry.”
She smiled wryly. “Nothing a cold shower won’t fix.”
Marietta laughed.
“Aidan got called away on an emergency, so we had to cancel our plans.”
“That sucks.”
“It really does.”
Marietta had bought the store beside Dana’s last year after going through a messy divorce with a philandering husband. Based on their conversations, Dana had concluded that Marietta was in her early forties. And though her relationship history had left her reluctant to test the waters again herself, Marietta frequently encouraged Dana to get out there and find a good guy who could make her happy.
Needless to say, she had been thrilled to hear about Aidan.
“Are you all packed for your trip?” Dana asked. Marietta was flying to California to see her son perform for the first time at UCLA.
“Yes. And I’m so nervous you’d think I’m the one who’s going to be onstage.”
“I’m sure he’ll do fine.”
“I know he will, although I have no idea how he ended up with so much talent. Neither his father nor I can dance. And thank goodness he didn’t inherit my stage fright.”
“Is Frank going to be there?” The last Dana had heard, Marietta’s ex was dating a girl their son’s age.
She rolled her eyes. “No. The bastard can’t be bothered. Fortunately, Owen doesn’t want him there anyway, so he won’t be disappointed.” Forcing a smile, she held up a set of keys and jangled them. “So, here are my keys. Thank you again for keeping an eye on the place while I’m gone.”
“No thanks necessary,” Dana replied cheerfully, taking the keys.
“You have my cell number. If anything comes up, just give me a ring.”
“I will. Do you have any plants you want me to water while you’re gone? Or fish that need feeding?”
“No fish. And I gave up on houseplants years ago because the damned things kept dying.”
Dana laughed.
Marietta glanced at the clock. “I’d ask if you want to watch a movie or something since your man had to cancel, but I’ve got a six-o’clock flight in the morning.”
“Ugh.” Dana grimaced. “You’re going to have to rise before the sun to make that one.”
“I know. Hopefully the other passengers won’t complain when I end up snoring on the plane.” She winked. “So you go take your cold shower while I try to get some shut-eye.”
Grinning, Dana followed her to the door. “I hope you’ll have a nice trip and that Owen’s performance will go well.”
“Thanks, sweetie. Give that gorgeous Scot of yours a hug and a pat on the ass for me the next time you see him.”
“I will,” Dana promised with a laugh.
“Good night.”
“Good night.” Dana closed and locked the door.
Quiet settled upon the empty shop as she turned to face it.
Closing her eyes, she thought of Aidan, of the fervency of his kisses and the urgency in the hands that had roamed her and held her so tight.
“Yep,” she murmured. “One cold shower, coming up.”
Sighing, she headed for the stairs.
The moment Aidan was out of Dana’s sight, he turned his car onto a deserted side street and hit the brakes.
The darkened businesses that bordered it vanished, as did the street as he teleported himself and the vehicle away. Grass replaced pavement beneath the car’s tires. UNCW’s campus appeared around him. As did a rather astonishing number of vampires.
In their midst, Bastien and Cliff stood back-to-back, sword blades winking beneath the campus lights as they did their damnedest to kill every vampire within reach.
One of the vampires noticed Aidan’s abrupt appearance.
As Aidan stepped out of the car and drew on his coat, the vamp leapt onto the hood.
The vampire’s hair hung in a limp, oily mess around his face. His fangs glinted in a sneer. And madness glinted in his glowing green eyes.
Scowling, Aidan drew his weapons. “Don’t scratch the paint, you horse’s arse!”
Several yards away, Bastien laughed.
The vampire actually looked down at his feet as though he had borrowed his father’s car and just realized he was mucking it up.
Grinning, Aidan used telekinesis to pick the vamp up and hurl him at his cohorts. Then Aidan teleported right into the thick of things, swinging his swords in strong, broad arcs. He teleported again and impaled two vampires. Teleported again and beheaded another.
Utter panic infused the group as they realized Death was in their midst, appearing and disappearing like magic, swinging swords and culling souls.
Aidan smiled grimly, then felt a twinge of unease as he wondered what Dana would think if she could see him now. Would she fear him? Feel horror? Disgust?
The distraction cost him.
Pain cut through Aidan’s side as a vampire’s blade dug deep.
Swearing, he impaled the vampire who wielded it, then turned to the next combatant.