"Hi." Etienne opened his arms in invitation and released a breath when she stepped into his embrace. It was where she belonged. He could feel it. In three hundred years no other woman had felt so right. He'd made the right choice in turning Rachel. She was meant for him.
"You look absolutely breathtaking," he murmured by her ear. "I've never seen a more beautiful woman in all my days."
He caught her blush out of the corner of his eye, then she cuddled closer against him and said, "I find that hard to believe, Etienne. You've seen a lot of women."
"But none of them were as lovely to me," he assured her solemnly. "Even as a blonde."
Rachel stopped dancing and peered into his face as if doubting him. Smiling softly, she simply said, "Thank you." Then she grinned and added, "You're pretty hot yourself."
"You think so?" Etienne asked.
"Oh, yes," Rachel assured him. "You're very handsome. Sexy as hell, really. You have wicked eyes, a mischievous smile, and you're very intelligent. I've always had a weakness for intelligent men, Etienne."
"Yeah?" He grinned. "You like smart guys, huh?"
"Mmm." She nodded, amusement curving her lips. "Intelligence turns me on."
"Yeah?" Etienne raised his eyebrows and smiled mischievously. "Onomatopoeia."
Rachel blinked.
"Enkephalin."
Rachel's bewilderment grew. What was Etienne doing? Thanks to her medical background, she knew that Enkephalin was a substance similar to mor**ine that could be found in the brain and was thought to help control pain response. But she had no clue why he spouted it. Before she could ask, he added, "Oxymoron."
"Er... what are you doing?" she asked.
"Spouting big words to impress you with my intelligence." Grinning, he asked, "Are you turned on yet?"
Rachel was so taken aback, a loud burst of laughter slipped from her lips, drawing the attention of those around them.
Etienne smiled and nodded at the other dancers, then turned back to her. He gave a sniff and feigned a scowl. "You aren't supposed to laugh at a guy when he's trying to woo you."
"Is that what you're doing?" she asked.
"Yes. Is it working?"
Rachel chuckled and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm not sure. Maybe. Why don't you try a couple more big words?
"More, huh?" He wrapped his arms tighter around her. "Hmm... let's see. Ginormous. Dunnock."
"What's that?" Rachel lifted her head to ask. It was the first word she hadn't known.
"A hedge sparrow."
"Ah."
"Shall I continue?" he asked.
"Please don't."
Both Rachel and Etienne straightened in surprise at that dry request from Lucern. The dark-haired man was standing beside them on the dance floor, his solemn face pained. "I've been sent to inform you that Uncle Lucian wants a word with Rachel."
Aware of the way Etienne stiffened, Rachel glanced at him curiously. "You have an uncle?"
"Yes." He released a pent-up breath of resignation. "And he's a nasty old cur too."
"That he may be, but he's also the head of the clan," Lucern commented. "And he wants to talk to Rachel."