His gaze followed her progress into the club. He noted that she had attracted the attention of several other men, as well.
She sat at the other end of the bar, the slit in her skirt parting to reveal a slender calf clad in black silk.
In spite of the music and the low rumble of conversation, he heard her order a Bloody Mary, which she sipped slowly as she glanced at the club’s occupants. Was she looking for someone in particular, he wondered. Or just looking?
During the next half hour, he watched her reject the advances of one man after another, finally agreeing to dance with a tall, dark-skinned man with an Italian accent.
Derek stared at them through narrowed eyes as they swayed to the music. Seeing her in the arms of another man aroused an unexpected stab of jealousy. It was a new emotion for him and he examined it closely, wondering what had provoked it. He didn’t even know the woman.
Almost before he realized what he was doing, he crossed the floor to cut in on the woman and her partner.
Sheree offered a tentative smile to the man who took her partner’s place on the dance floor, felt a jolt, like an electric shock, sizzle through her as he gathered her into his arms.
Startled, she looked into his eyes—deep gray eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul.
“Good evening, lovely lady,” he murmured. “I hope you don’t mind my cutting in.”
“Uh . . . no. I guess not.”
He smiled, revealing even, white teeth. “Have you a name?”
“Of course,” she replied tartly. “Everyone has a name.”
“Care to share yours with me?”
She stared at him, unable to shake the feeling that it would be dangerous to tell this stranger who she was.
He lifted one brow, his expression amused. “It’s just a name.”
“Names have power.”
“Only if you’re a witch.” He cocked his head to the side. “Are you a witch?”
“Perhaps.”
“I think not.” His gaze moved over her from head to heel. “A dark angel, perhaps.”
Sheree smiled in spite of herself. “No, but you’re getting warmer.”
“Ah. A vampire?”
She batted her eyelashes at him. “Why, however did you guess?”
He laughed softly. “Just a hunch, darlin’. Let me see your fangs.”
“I’m sorry, but I left them home tonight. Can I see yours?”
“Maybe later. Can I buy you a drink?”
Sheree intended to say no but found herself accepting instead. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was without doubt the sexiest man she had ever seen, or if it was his smile, or if it was the way her heart had skipped a beat when he called her darlin’. She grinned inwardly, thinking all of the above.
When the music ended, Derek led her to a table, excused himself to get their drinks. She had asked for a Bloody Mary and he decided to make it two, though his drink of choice was something warmer. And redder.
She was swaying to the music, her eyes closed, when he returned.
For a moment, he found himself staring at her. What was it about this woman, he wondered, that enchanted him so? She was pretty. She smelled good. She had a winning smile and she laughed easily. But it was more than that. What more, he had no idea.
“Here you go,” he said, placing her drink on the table.