Page 5 (1/2)

"Fine," Denise forced herself to say, thinking of her parents A little e the else Denise picked up her fork and began to eat the fruit salad in the next container

"Good," he said at last "We’ll be in St Louis later today"

Spade snapped his mobile shut That was the last of the calls he needed to ather his people to introduce a new hu s had piled up that needed his attention

Denise had been very quiet the past three days He suspected it had to do with the call she’d placed to her farieve for her cousin privately Froh she couldn’t explain that she wasn’t abandoning the to help the had to stop If Denise slipped up in her charade as his latest property in front of his people, Spade could contain the negative results In front of another Master vampire, one asn’t an ally? That could be deadly

You need to get your back up, Denise, he thought And I kno to help

Spade went down to the first floor, guessing that he’d find Denise in the kitchen She’d proven to have a voracious appetite regardless of her mood All his residences had a cook to make sure the human members of his line ell fed Henry, the chef for his St Louis home, had been even busier since Spade arrived with Denise

"Sire," Henry said to Spade

It amused Spade to see Denise’s reaction Her back was to hi in her shoulders was un the members of his line made Denise uncomfortable It didn’t bother Spade After all, he’d been addressed far more formally back when he was hu the seat next to Denise at the kitchen table Frona, heavy on the garlic

He stifled a smile Cat had told Denise a lot about va Spade plucked a sauteed clove off her plate and ate it, ned bliss

"Ah, Henry, delicious I’ll take a plate myself"

"Won’t that make you sick?" Denise asked in surprise

He kept his expression blank "I can eat solid food I just don’t prefer to most of the time"

"Not that" Denise waved a hand "Garlic Doesn’t that make vampires sick?"

"Indeed not That’s one of the reasons I so enjoy visiting Italy Can’t swing a cat without hitting a vein seasoned full of that delicious flavor"

Spade licked his lips Denise saw it and blanched, pushing her plate back It was all he could do to contain his laughter

"I have a present for you," he said, as if he hadn’t noticed her reaction

Suspicion clouded her gaze "Why?"

She really needed to work on her acting skills No new human in his line would use such a tone with him, especially with others around

He rose "Come"

"Sire, would you still like the food?" Henry asked

Spade held out his hand to Denise She paused "Keep it waraze at Denise Take it, he silently told her

She slid her hand into his Her flesh arlaze to her eyes that spoke of illness No, they were bright with irritation over his little power play Spade ignored that, clasping her hand and pulling her out of her chair He didn’t let go once she was on her feet, either, despite her tug

"Let’s go tosure his voice was loud and clear

Her eyes widened She’d slept in her own room since they arrived, because demons couldn’t enter private residences, even if Raued to follow them across several states But it didn’t do for there to be doubts a the people here as to her station with hinant refusal She pressed her lips together and let him lead her up the stairs If he didn’t know better, he’d think her teet to his room

Once inside, she shut the door and then pulled her hand away "There are li to take this act"

He didn’t show his irritation at her implication that he’d use the circumstances to coerce her into bed "Name them"

From the way her mouth opened and closed, she hadn’t expected that response Finally she said, "It would take less tis I would do"

"So list that, and I’ll tell you if you need to add to it"

That challenging look was back in her eye Spade sood for her spirit It was bad for his plan if she couldn’t balance it with common sense, but time would prove if Denise was as sht" She squared her shoulders, her dark hair rustling with theto bunk with you when the circumstances call for it I can act subservient if necessary, but don’t expect it once we’re alone I can act affectionate and even kiss you to s look real But it stops there, and I’ you drink from me"

Spade couldn’t help hiarlic in your blood? I shed a tear"

Her gaze narrowed "You’refun of me"

He allowed himself a smile "A little"

"Are you done?" Her chin thrust out, as did her shoulders Spade’s sressive stance ly, he rather doubted she’d keep it

And far be it for hi out loud

Spade pushed that thought aside, because it led to other s best not explored "As to your liet over your aversion to close proximity with me Vampires are often affectionate in public with their property If I should lean close to you, or put my arm around you, it would look odd if you jurace to look abashed "Sorry I’ll work on that"

"Indeed" He couldn’t keep the dryness out of his tone "And while I’ll confess it was fun watching you choke yourself on garlic the past few days, you need have no fear ofyou"