Grimacing, Abby rolled onto her side to study the man who slept next to her.
No, not man, she fiercely reminded herself. Vampire.
Studying the wickedly perfect features in the dim light, it seemed impossible that she hadn't guessed the truth before. He was every woman's fantasy. Life had taught her that there had to be a catch somewhere.
Her lips twitched. All women knew that the sort of men who could steal a woman's heart with a glance had to be either gay, psychotic, or married. Now she supposed she would have to add vampire to the list.
Barely aware of what she did, Abby silently lifted the duvet to reveal the lean, muscular form. Although the jeans rather disappointingly remained, he had removed his silk shirt to reveal a chest that was just as lethally beautiful as she had imagined in her heated dreams. It was broad and smooth with enough chiseled muscles to satisfy the most demanding woman. Lordy, it virtually begged to be stroked.
And thankfully there were no odd bumps or scales that plagued other demons. Not even a tattoo marred the alabaster skin.
"Good morning, lover," a husky voice abruptly intruded into the silence.
Jerking her head up, Abby took in the slit of silver glittering beneath the heavy black lashes.
Well, this was embarrassing.
It was one thing to walk about with toilet paper stuck to her shoe. Or have lipstick on her teeth. Or even to destroy a priceless Ming vase.
But to be caught openly leering at a half-naked man while he slept…
It was downright lewd.
She abruptly dropped the duvet as if it might scorch her fingers.
"I… didn't realize that you were awake," she managed to croak.
"I may be dead, but not even I can sleep while a beautiful woman ogles me." His lips curved in a sardonic smile. "Tell me, sweet, what were you searching for? A horn and tail?"
The very fact that she had possessed a furtive need to assure herself he didn't have any peculiar oddities made her instantly defensive.
"No, of course not."
"Ah, then you were planning to take advantage of me while I slept, eh? Twisted, but I like it."
"No… I…" She wrinkled her nose, accepting that she had been well and truly caught. "What was left but to admit the truth? "I suppose I was curious. You seem so… normal."
He stiffened at her reluctant confession. "You mean human?"
'Yes."
"Are you disappointed or relieved?"
She gave a faint shrug. "After Halford and the hellhounds, I'll have to admit to some relief."
Without warning, she discovered herself rolled onto her back with Dante looming above her, his hands planted on either side of her head.
"Perhaps I don't possess three eyes or have acid dripping from my fangs," he said, his beautiful features unexpectedly somber, "but you should never make the mistake of pretending that I'm human. I am a vampire, Abby, not a man."
Her heart stuttered as she stared at the dangerous warrior poised above her. Suddenly he did appear far from human. He was coiled, elegant death that held her life in his hands.
"What are you saying?" she whispered. "That I can't trust you?"
The raven brows snapped together. "Of course you can trust me. I will die before I ever allow anything to harm you."
"Then what?"
"I just don't want you to try and pretend that I'm something that I'm not." His metallic gaze pierced deep into her eyes. "It will only prove painful to both of us."