When he was near ...
Well, when he was near all she could think about was just how much she had enjoyed his touch, his kisses ... his bite.
And the stark loneliness that lurked deep in his black eyes.
A loneliness that could equal her own. A loneliness that tugged dangerously at her heart.
Drat it all.
Still, common sense couldn't compete with her natural instinct to be rid of the confining chambers. One of her foster mothers had called her a wood sprite for her habit of sneaking from the house, even in the middle of the night, to be beneath the open sky.
No matter how luxurious her surroundings she needed space.
Entering the black and ivory bathroom, she placed the robe on the marble vanity and was reaching for the knot she had tied in her towel when a hand was placed over her mouth and the feel of a hot, hard body was pressed against her back.
"Shhh," a male voice whispered in her ear. A voice she instantly recognized as Salvatore's. "I will not harm you."
She jerked free and spun about to glare at the werewolf. He was just as handsome as she remembered, although he had chosen tight black pants and a thin black sweater instead of his silk suit.
He was also just as dangerous.
Even in the muted light the gold eyes shimmered with warning, and the lean face was even more predatory with the dark hair pulled into a short tail at his nape.
A brief, hysterical urge to scream raced through her mind only to be dismissed.
If he wanted to hurt her, then screaming wasn't going to change a damn thing. The vampire guarding her door would find nothing more than a bloody corpse if Salvatore decided he wanted her dead.
Maybe less.
Sucking in a deep breath, she forced herself to square her shoulders and meet that disturbing gaze without flinching.
If she was going to die it would be with a bit of pride intact. (Hey, she had watched enough old westerns to know that that was important.)
"For goodness sake, what is it with you guys and sneaking up on people?" she demanded.
A smile touched his lips, as if he was pleased with her display of courage.
"I wished to speak with you in private."
Her gaze narrowed. "How did you get in here?"
He shifted with a languid grace to lean against the door, a slow smile revealing his startling white teeth.
The security system is good, but not good enough. There is no place I can't get into if I wish."
"Hardly a skill to take great pride in."
"It is only one of many, I assure you," he drawled, his gaze deliberately roaming over her near-naked body.
Well, freaking bully for him.
"What do you want?"
His eyes narrowed. No doubt he was shocked that she hadn't melted at his feet. Granted, he was melt-worthy. He was the sort of gorgeous, sexy, dangerous man whom most women found irresistible.
Unfortunately for him, Darcy already had her hands filled with another gorgeous, sexy, dangerous man.
One per century was her limit.