Page 45 (1/2)

After a torturous hour of watching the cron over the always gracious Nefri, Gabriel at last led the

The club didn’t encourage guests to linger during the daylight hours, but there were always spare rooo’s humble establishment, these roo shades of gray and silver

Discreet, expensive, and sophisticated

Escorting the room with a low, velvet sofa and hand-carved coffee table, Gabriel placed a hand over his heart and offered a deep bow "You’re certain you have everything you need?"

"Absolutely," Nefri assured him with a warm smile "This is lovely"

"Just hit the zero on the phone if you want room service," Gabriel said, the jaded va"

"I will"

There was a long pause, as if Gabriel was having difficulty tearing himself away, then with a last dip of his head, he backed out of the room and closed the door

A thick silence filled the air as Santiago moved to the wet bar that came complete with his favorite tequila

Pouring a large shot, he downed it in one gulp On the point of pouring another, he was halted when Nefri laid a gentle hand on his arlass before he was setting it aside and turning toyou?"

He shrugged, wishing he’d ed a coupleraw "Nothing"

Her brows snapped together "You’ve barely said a word since we’ve arrived And you have that"--she gave a wave of her hand--"that broody ?"

"You knohat Iis obviously bothering you"

"I told youit’s nothing"

Her eyes narrowed "I thought it was a woative to pretend she’s not upset when she clearly is"

"Ouch," hehirimaced Dammit He wasn’t a "touchy feely" kind of vampire under the best of circumstances Unless it was in bed When his e orc

"I soet what?"

"That you are who you are"

"Who I aend"

She blinked in confusion "Are you speaking in code?"

He reached up to yank the leather tie froh the thick strands in an effort to relieve the tension throbbing in his head It didn’t help

"Vampires all over this world would worship at your feet," he said, his voice rough "Hell, you’re treated like a queen by a dragon"

"That’s ridiculous"

"No, it’s the truth"

Her lips thinned, as if she was annoyed by his words "Fine, let’s say for arguht What does that have to do hy you’re treating led for the words

"What?"

"Way out ofthe fear that burned deep in his soul

Without warning Nefri was slapping a hand across his rasped her wrist and gently tugged her fingers from his face Now that he’d started, he intended to finish

"We can’t ignore the truth, querida"