Chapter
6
Kaitlyn slept late, fixed a big
breakfast, and then, at loose ends, wandered through the cabin
trying to find something to do. The laundry was done. The dishes
were done. She had vacuumed yesterday. Bored, she rearranged the
dishes in the kitchen cupboards, rearranged the furniture in the
living room, and then put it all back the way it had been
before.
Standing in the middle of the room, she
glanced around, thinking that, since she lived alone and was
naturally tidy, the place would never really get
dirty.
When she ran out of make-work things to
do, she sat on the sofa and filed her nails and tried to decide
what she should do, now that she was out of college. She didn’t
need money, but she did need something to keep her busy during the
day. A job, she thought. That was the answer. Of course, there
wasn’t much call for an expert in comparative folklore these days.
Still, she was reasonably intelligent—there must be something she
could do.
With that thought in mind, she decided
to walk down to the casino. She could buy a newspaper there and
check out the want ads while she ate lunch at the
restaurant.
And if she was lucky, she might run
into Zack.
It took only minutes to make her way
down the hill to the casino restaurant. After a short wait, she was
seated at a small table near the back window. She ordered a turkey
club sandwich and a strawberry lemonade, then opened the paper she
had picked up in the lobby and perused the help-wanted section. She
frowned as she looked at the available jobs. Waitress. Maid at one
of the hotels. Babysitter. Clerk at the Pink Poodle Boutique. Dog
walker. Checker at one of the local markets.
She folded the paper with a huff of
exasperation. There was nothing wrong with any of those positions;
they were all perfectly respectable. It was just that she had been
hoping, foolishly perhaps, that she would find something where she
could use her degree. Zack would probably laugh at that. She
recalled his response all too clearly when she had told him she had
majored in comparative folklore, the amusement in his tone when he
had drawled, How’s that workin’ out for
ya?
Maybe she could write a book on ancient
folklore. In 1890, Sir James George Fraser had done a colossal
study of comparative folklore. Originally published in two volumes
and later in multiple volumes, an abridged version had been
published in 1922. Considered a classic, The Golden Bough had greatly influenced
psychology and literature, presenting, in detail, the parallels
between the rites, beliefs, and superstitions of early cultures and
those of Christianity.
She doubted she could pen such an
important tome, but maybe she could write something a little less
intense, perhaps something better suited to modern times. It was
something to think about.
After finishing her lunch, Kaitlyn
wandered out into the casino. It wasn’t nearly as crowded or as
noisy at this time of day as it had been the other night. Most of
the patrons were elderly. A few people stood in front of the Wheel
of Fortune, others were trying their luck at the dice table, or
playing roulette. The majority seemed to be playing the slot
machines.
After a moment’s indecision, she took a
seat at one of the quarter machines. It was an old one, with a coin
slot and a handle to pull. After a few minutes of play, she found
that she liked the old machine better than the new ones. It was
more fun to actually put the money into the machine and pull the
handle, to hear the clink of quarters falling into the tray when
she won. It made it seem more like playing than merely
watching.
She kept glancing over her shoulder,
hoping to see Zack striding toward her, even though she knew it
would be better for both of them if their relationship ended now,
before it went any further.
After an hour, she was ahead by about
twenty dollars. Gathering her winnings into a handy plastic bucket,
she carried it to the cashier and exchanged the coins for
greenbacks.
“Do come again,” the cashier said,
smiling as she completed the transaction.
“Thanks, I will,” Kaitlyn said,
stuffing the bills into her wallet. “Um, do you know if Mr.
Ravenscroft is here today?”
“He doesn’t usually arrive until seven
or eight,” the woman said. “If you’d like to leave a message, I’ll
be sure that he gets it.”
“No. No, that’s all right. Thank
you.”
Feeling more let-down than she should
have, Kaitlyn left the casino. She stood outside a moment, then
returned to the casino and headed for the dress shop.
Zack rose with the setting sun, his
first thought for Kaitlyn. Although they hadn’t made plans to meet
tonight, he headed for her cabin as soon as he made certain that
everything was running smoothly on the casino floor.
To his surprise, she was standing on
the porch looking sexy as hell in a pair of tight black leather
pants, a matching midriff top, and black high-heeled sandals. Her
hair tumbled over her shoulders like a fall of black
silk.
He whistled softly as he climbed the
stairs. “You look like a million bucks,” he said with a wink. “And
I know what that looks like.”
She smiled, her stomach curling at his
nearness. “I hope you’re out here waiting for me,” Zack said,
resting his hip against one of the uprights. “I know we didn’t have
any plans, but . . .”
She placed two fingers over his mouth,
silencing him. “Who else would I be waiting for?”
“How did you know I’d show
up?”
“I didn’t, but a girl can hope, can’t
she?”
“So, what shall we do tonight?” He knew
what he wanted to do, horny lecherous creature that he was, but he
didn’t suggest the ideas that quickly came to mind, certain that
her answer would be no. His lovely Kaitlyn didn’t seem the type to
tumble into bed with a man unless there was a wedding ring on her
finger.
“I don’t care. Anything you want to do
is fine with me.”
He lifted one brow.
“Anything?”
Kaitlyn felt a blush warm her cheeks.
She didn’t have to be able to read Zack’s mind to know what he was
thinking. Because she was thinking about it, too, and far too often
for her own good. But there was no way she was jumping into bed
with Zack, no matter how tempting he might be. She hardly knew the
man.
“I enjoyed dancing the other night,”
she said.
“Dancing it is, then. Shall we
walk?”
“Why not?” She stepped out of her
high-heeled sandals. Holding them by the ankle straps, she swung
them back and forth as she walked. “It’s a lovely
night.”
It was indeed, Zack mused as they
strolled down the narrow path that ended at the casino parking lot.
The air was warm, fragrant with the scent of Kaitlyn’s perfume,
with the heady scent of the woman herself.
And overall, the siren call of her
life’s blood running through her veins like a warm red river. The
rhythm of her heartbeat hummed in his ears like a symphony only he
could hear.
“Watch your step,” he warned when they
reached the curb. He held her arm, steadying her, as she scrubbed
her feet clean on the grass, then stepped into her shoes. He liked
it that she wasn’t overly fussy, that she didn’t mind getting her
feet a little dirty.
It was early Tuesday night but the
casino was already crowded. With his preternatural power, Zack
heard the hum of the air-conditioning, the whisper of cards being
shuffled, the whirring of the Wheel of Fortune, the click-click of
dice at the craps table, the high-pitched shout of a gambler who
had just hit the jackpot on one of the slot machines.
“Have you had dinner?” Zack asked,
raising his voice a little so Kaitlyn could hear him.
“I’m not hungry,” she replied. “I had a
late lunch, but I’ll keep you company if you haven’t
eaten.”
“No need. I had a bite before I came to
your place.” Taking her hand, he headed for the elevator that led
to the Skylight Room.
Since most people were more interested
in dining than dancing at this hour, Zack and Kaitlyn had the dance
floor to themselves.
Kaitlyn felt a sensual thrill when Zack
took her in his arms. She marveled that they fit together so well,
that his steps were so easy to follow, that the mere touch of his
hand made her heart beat faster. It
isn’t love, she told herself sternly.
It’s just an old-fashioned case of
lust. And who could blame her? She doubted any woman
whose heart was still beating would be able to resist Zack, with
his long black hair, enigmatic gray eyes, and delightfully wicked
grin. His brows were slightly arched, his nose straight, his lips
full, sensual. He was tall and broadshouldered, and sexier than any
man she had ever met. He looked especially handsome tonight in a
pair of black slacks and a long-sleeved midnight-blue
shirt.
He lifted one brow, amused by her
steady regard. “Like what you see?”
Embarrassment heated Kaitlyn’s cheeks.
She wanted to say she had seen better, thank you very much.
Instead, she shrugged and turned the question back to him. “Do you?
Like what you see?”
“You know I do.” He twirled her around
the floor, spinning her effortlessly until she was dizzy. “And I’d
like to see more of you. Much more.”
She searched her mind for some witty
comeback, but words failed her.
Zack chuckled as he pulled her closer.
“I’m sorry if the truth makes you uncomfortable.”
“I guess it does,” she replied with
unexpected candor. “A little anyway.”
“I don’t know why. A girl who’s as
pretty as you must get compliments from guys all the
time.”
“Yes, but . . .”
“But?”
She tilted her head back so she could
look into his eyes. “They’re usually after something.”
“Can’t blame them for that,” he
replied, his gaze drifting to the pulse throbbing in the hollow of
her throat.
“What are you after, Zack?” she asked.
“What do you
want?”
“You,” he answered quietly. “Every inch
of you, in every way possible. I want to start at the top of your
head and nibble my way down to your toes.”
“Well, I’ll give you this—you’re more
honest than most.” After the image he had painted in her mind, it
was an effort to keep her voice steady.
The music changed tempo, going from an
oldies song to something slower and more romantic.
Zack held her closer, tighter. Straps
crisscrossed the back of her top, leaving parts of her back bare to
the touch of his hand. His dark eyes burned into hers, hot and
hungry. Kaitlyn’s heart skipped a beat. She had seen looks like
that before, in the eyes of her father’s people. But Zack didn’t
belong to her father’s coven, or any coven.
Still, the look unsettled her and when
the music ended, she told Zack she needed to sit down. She wasn’t
tired, but she needed to put some space between them. She couldn’t
think clearly when he was holding her, when he was looking at her
like that, as if he was a hungry cat, and she a tasty
mouse.
He escorted her to a nearby table, held
her chair for her. “How about a drink?” he asked, and when she
nodded, he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called the bar
in the casino.
“Why didn’t you just order from the bar
up here?” Kaitlyn asked.
“That’s for the tourists. I have my own
private stock downstairs.”
Less than five minutes later, a waiter
arrived at their table carrying a bottle of Clos Du Mesnil champagne and a bottle of
Dom Pérignon Rosé. A
waitress arrived moments later bearing a tray with a pair of
crystal goblets and a plate of canapés.
Zack dismissed the help with a smile,
then gestured at the bottles. “What’s your pleasure?”
“I don’t know anything about
champagne.”
“Well, the Clos Du Mesnil costs about seven hundred
dollars; the Dom Pérignon
about half that.”
“Are you kidding me? Seven hundred
dollars for a bottle of champagne?” She shook her head in
amazement. “I have got to try that.”
He filled two glasses with liquid that
was straw gold in color, then handed her one. “What shall we drink
to?”
“Beginnings?” she
suggested.
“Beginnings,” he repeated, and touched
his glass to hers.
He watched her over the rim of his
glass as he sipped his wine, and for one moment out of time,
Kaitlyn imagined his lips pressed against the side of her neck, his
tongue lightly stroking her skin.
“Katy, let’s go where we can be
alone.”
She nibbled one of the canapés, then
shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? Are you afraid of
me?”
“Yes.”
He sat back, his brow furrowing. “What
are you afraid of?”
“The way you make me feel. We’re moving
way too fast. I hardly know you.”
“What do you want to
know?”
She sipped her drink, then set her
glass aside. “Everything.”
“Everything, huh?” He dragged a hand
over his jaw. “My parents are dead. I’m an only child. I’m rich and
single and I’m crazy about you. What else do you need to
know?”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-one.”
“When’s your birthday?”
“August the fourth.”
“A Leo,” she said,
smiling.
He nodded. “You?”
“I’m an Aries.”
“Both fire signs,” he
mused.
“Are you into astrology?”
“No, not really.”
“Do you read your horoscope every
day?”
“No,” he said, laughing. “Why, do
you?”
“No. Well, not every day.”
“How old are you?”
Grinning, she said, “Don’t you know it
isn’t polite to ask a woman her age?”
“At least tell me you’re over
twenty-one.”
Kaitlyn laughed. “No worries. I turned
twenty-one on my last birthday.”
“Just a baby.” He wondered what she
would think if she knew how old he really was. “Do you have
brothers and sisters?”
“No. My mom wanted more children, but .
. .” She shrugged. “I would have liked a brother or a sister, but
it wasn’t meant to be. My dad comes from a really large family
though, so I have lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. Of course,
there was a plus side to being an only child,” she said, grinning.
“My parents spoiled me rotten when I was growing up.” She ran her
finger around the rim of her glass, her expression thoughtful.
“They still spoil me rotten.”
Zack nodded. He would love to pamper
her, to give her everything her heart desired, to show her all the
wonders of the modern world. To introduce her to the magic between
a man and a woman.
“Why did you call me
Katy?”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t
everyone?”
“No. No one.” She smiled a shy smile.
“I like it.”
He leaned toward her, his gaze resting
on her face. “Come home with me, Katy.”
“Zack . . . I can’t.”
“Just my luck,” he said with a
good-natured grin. “You’re a good girl.”
“’Fraid so.” She couldn’t blame him for
having thought otherwise, considering the sexy “come and get me”
outfit she was wearing.
He nodded. He might be a lot of things,
but he had never forced a woman into his bed, or taken advantage of
a virgin, although Kaitlyn tempted him sorely. He was about to
refill their glasses when his cell phone rang.
Murmuring, “Excuse me,” he put the
phone to his ear. “What is it?” He listened a moment, then slipped
the phone back into his pocket. “I need to take care of something
in the casino. I’ll be back shortly.”
“All right.” Lifting her glass, she
watched him walk swiftly toward a door marked
STAIRWAY.
She sat there a moment, thinking about
Zack. He wanted her; there was no doubt about that. And she wanted
him. There was no doubt about that, either. She glanced at her
watch, drummed her fingertips on the table as she wondered what
kind of emergency—if that’s what it was—had called him away. Too
curious to wait any longer, she took the elevator down to the main
floor.
The first thing she noticed was the
silence. Standing in the doorway, she glanced around, searching for
Zack. She gasped when she saw him. He was standing in front of one
of the poker tables. On the other side of the table, a man wearing
a Hell’s Angel leather jacket stood holding the edge of a knife to
the dealer’s throat. The dealer’s face was paper-white, a vivid
contrast to the angry red flush on the face of the Hell’s Angel
wielding the blade.
“He cheated!” the man declared, his
voice carrying throughout the casino. “He’s dealing from the bottom
of the deck!”
“Put the knife down,” Zack said. “And
we’ll talk about it.”
The man shook his head. “I want my
money back! And I want this cheat fired!”
Zack looked at the dealer. “Were you
cheating, Henry?”
Kaitlyn frowned as a ripple of power
raised the hair along her arms. Was that coming from Zack? It felt
much like the preternatural power her father
possessed.
“No, sir,” Henry said, his voice laced
with fear. “He’s just a sore loser.”
“He’s lying!” the man
insisted.
Kaitlyn couldn’t see Zack’s face. He
stood there, unmoving, as that same ripple of power washed over
her.
When he spoke again, his words were
slow and distinct, and there was a peculiar edge to his voice. “I
want you to put the knife down, Farris, and follow me
outside.”
Kaitlyn frowned, wondering how Zack
knew the troublemaker’s name. Was he a regular at the
casino?
Farris glared at Zack for stretched
seconds, then he dropped the knife on the table and followed Zack
out of the casino.
Kaitlyn waited until Zack and Farris
were outside, then hurried after them. She paused just beyond the
entrance, her gaze darting left and right, but there was no sign of
either man.
How had they disappeared so quickly?
Puzzled, she left the casino. She had a lot to think about and she
couldn’t do it here.
It took only moments to navigate the
path home. Kicking off her shoes, she went into the kitchen and
fixed a cup of hot chocolate, then curled up on the sofa, the cup
cradled in her hands as her mind replayed the scene at the poker
table. She hadn’t imagined the power that rippled through the air
when Zack spoke. She had felt it too often in the past to mistake
it for anything but what it was—the same kind of preternatural
power that her father and others of their kind were able to
command. Was it possible that Zack Ravenscroft was one of them? She
had never seen him eat, but that didn’t prove anything. At dinner
the other night, he had said he’d already eaten. She’d had no
reason to disbelieve him then, and none tonight. He drank wine, but
so did millions of other people. He possessed a strong aura of
danger, but, again, that didn’t prove anything. But that rush of
preternatural power—no mortal possessed that kind of supernatural
energy.
What if Zack really was a
vampire?
Kaitlyn shook her head. If that was
true, it changed everything.