“Seriously?”
He nodded.
“Seems like a risky way to make a living. Especially these days.”
He shrugged. “I do all right. And I can afford to lose.”
“Oh?”
Leaning forward, he whispered, “My parents are very rich.”
Lowering her voice, she murmured, “So are mine.”
He wasn’t surprised. Everything about her screamed money, from her shoes to her handbag. “You don’t work, then?”
“I used to. I was laid off three weeks ago. You don’t know anyone who wants to hire someone with absolutely no skills, do you?”
“Why do you need a job?”
“A girl has to do something with her time. The only thing is, I’m not really qualified for anything.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “I majored in folklore in college. Not exactly in demand these days.”
“I guess not. You should have been taking classes in aerospace engineering and computer programming.”
“Tell me about it.”
Derek smiled at the waitress when she delivered their order.
Sheree noticed the tip he left was more than the cost of their drinks. A good sign, she thought. She had dated a lot of guys who claimed to be wealthy, but expected her to pay for dinner.
Sheree took the glass he offered her. “Last night we drank to new beginnings,” she said. “What shall we drink to tonight?”
His gaze moved over her, blatantly bold. “Getting to know each other better?”
Everything female within her responded to the heated look in his eyes, the sexual intimacy implied in his suggestion.
With a nod, she lifted her glass, felt his gaze linger on her throat as she swallowed.
Derek glanced at the dance floor. Several couples were locked in each other’s arms, rocking back and forth in time to a low, sensual beat.
He jerked his chin at the dancers, then held out his hand. “Shall we?”
Her hand was small and warm in his as he led her onto the floor and drew her into his arms. Wonderful pastime, dancing, he thought. The perfect excuse to hold her close, feel the welcome heat of her body against his. Being this close to him made her nervous. He knew it by the sudden uptick in the beat of her heart.
“So, I gather you’re really into the whole vampire scene,” he remarked after a moment.
“They fascinate me. Of course, rationally I know they don’t exist, but . . .” She shook her head. “I can’t help believing they do.”
“And what do you think they’d be like, if they were real?”
“I’m not sure.” It was hard to focus when he was so close, when his breath was warm against her cheek. He held her lightly, yet she was aware of a barely leashed power lurking just beneath the surface. “What do you think?”
“I suppose it would depend on the vampire.”
“Oh? In what way?”