His gaze moved over her, a caress more than a look. “We could go upstairs.”
“What’s up there?” she asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Zack chuckled, amused by her wary expression. Did she think he had some nefarious scheme in mind, like spiriting her away and ravishing her until dawn? Not that that was such a bad idea. He wondered what she would say if he suggested it, then chided himself for being a fool. She was a nice girl. Way too nice for a guy like him.
“The Skylight Room,” he replied. “Soft music. Good champagne. Dancing under the stars.”
Kaitlyn hesitated. She hadn’t had a lot of experience with men. She sensed that Zack Ravenscroft wasn’t like ordinary men, although she wasn’t sure what there was about him that set him apart. He carried an aura of danger, but that didn’t frighten her. She could take care of herself. Maybe it was the fact that she found him so attractive. Almost irresistibly so. His voice, his roguish smile, both were hard to resist. Still, there wasn’t much future for them. Even though her father had repealed the laws that once forbade her people to marry mortals, she knew her parents would be disappointed if she didn’t marry someone from home. There was no possibility that she could ever marry Zack.
Marry Zack! Good grief, where had that thought come from? She had just met the man.
“Kaitlyn?”
He was watching her intently, making her glad he couldn’t read her mind, although she would have loved to read his. Of course, being able to eavesdrop on people’s private thoughts was a mixed blessing. There had been times in college when she had lowered her guard to steal into someone’s thoughts, and then heard something she wished she hadn’t. Like the time Kaitlyn learned her supposed best friend forever was telling everyone that Kaitlyn was sleeping with her anthropology teacher and that was why she was getting such good grades.
“It’s just a dance,” Zack said in his soft, oh, so sexy voice.
And the perfect excuse to be in his arms, Kaitlyn thought as he took her hand in his and led her to a glass-sided elevator that whisked them to the top floor of the building.
The Skylight Room was lovely. The walls were white, the drapes a soft blue. Small round tables were scattered along the edge of the dance floor. A pianist, two guitarists, and a drummer provided music, which was slow, soft, and sensual. It was easy to see where the room got its name. A huge skylight took up most of the ceiling. A million stars twinkled overhead. Moonlight shimmered through the glass. It was, she thought, like walking among the stars, although it was nothing like the ballroom at the Fortress.
Zack gestured at the dance floor. “Shall we?”
“Isn’t that what we’re here for?” she asked with a playful grin.
He didn’t answer, simply drew her into his arms.
He was a wonderful dancer, light on his feet, easy to follow. She searched her mind for something to say, but small talk eluded her. How could she be expected to think coherently with his body pressed so intimately against hers? They were, she thought, a perfect fit. The scent of his cologne tickled her nostrils, his very nearness was intoxicating, as was the scent of his blood. But that was to be expected. She was half vampire, after all, a fact that had been confirmed on her twentieth birthday.
Her father had been with her when the change occurred. He had told her she could resist it if she desired, but that doing so would make it more difficult later. Taking his advice, she had surrendered to the need that night. He had warned her that undergoing the change might be violent, that she could possibly be overcome with the need to kill, but it hadn’t happened like that. A yearning for blood had been niggling at her for weeks. Surrendering to it had seemed the most natural thing in the world. Her father had taken her hunting. She had not enjoyed the hunt, but her need for blood had been easily satisfied, with little harm done to the young man who had been her chosen prey.
“You must feed often the first year,” her father had told her. “If you don’t, it could be fatal.”
“And after that?” she had asked.
“As often as you feel the need.”
He had frequently gone hunting with her during the first few months to make sure she didn’t have any problems.
“You’re very quiet,” Zack mused, wishing he could read her thoughts. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” She smiled wistfully. “I was just lost in the past.”
“Anything you want to share?”
“I was thinking about my father. You remind me of him.”
He grimaced. “I’m not sure I like that.”
“You should be pleased. He’s a wonderful man.”
“I’m sure he is. He’s got a wonderful daughter.”
“Flatterer.”
“Just callin’ it the way I see it.” He drew her closer, his gaze intent on her face. “Are you feeling what I’m feeling?”
She knew what he meant; she just wasn’t sure she was ready to admit it to herself. Or to him. Things were moving way too fast. She had only known him for a few hours. All she knew for certain was that he was drop-dead gorgeous, danced divinely, and owned a popular casino. Hardly enough on which to base a solid relationship. But somehow, with his arms around her and his devil dark eyes gazing into hers, nothing else seemed to matter.
One song blended into another, and then another, and they continued to dance, making Kaitlyn think he was as reluctant to release her as she was for him to let her go.
They shared several long, lingering glances, though few words were spoken between them.
The other patrons all left the room.
And Zack and Kaitlyn continued to dance, just the two of them, even after the musicians called it a night.
Usually, it made Kaitlyn uncomfortable when men stared at her for too long, but it pleased her that Zack couldn’t stop looking at her, because she couldn’t stop looking at him, either. His eyes were like dark, mysterious pools and she longed to dive in, to swim to the bottom and discover the hidden depths of his soul.
She smiled at her fanciful thoughts.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing you need to know.”
“Is that right?” Zack twirled her around, dipped her once, and drew her into his arms again, his gaze lingering on her lips, sliding down to the pulse throbbing in the hollow of her throat, then back to her delectable lips.
Kaitlyn shivered with anticipation. He was going to kiss her. She could see it in his eyes.
And even then he was lowering his head, claiming her lips with his.