wry. “I’ve been needing more of an escape lately.”
He could relate. “Can’t get more of an escape than by leaving the planet.”
“Exactly,” she agreed on a laugh.
While she summarized the plot for him, the whispers of the other diners carried to his ears via his exceptionally sharp hearing.
They’re sitting together again, a man said furtively. This is the fifth or sixth time. Do you think they’ve got a thing going on?
I don’t think so. I mean, that isn’t allowed, is it? He’s a vampire.
He may be a vampire, but clearly he ain’t dead. Look how he looks at her.
Shit. Look how she looks at him.
Unease rose.
Why is she sitting with him? a woman on the opposite side of the cafeteria asked softly.
Because he’s freaking hot, her female companion responded.
But he’s a vampire. Isn’t she scared?
I would be. Rumor has it they can be fine one moment and snap the next without any warning.
Maybe we should tell Mr. Reordon. Do you think he knows? I doubt he’d approve of…
One of his employees doing a vampire? Yeah. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t approve of that.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Todd hissed in a whisper. “They’re just eating lunch.”
Shit. Todd must have been standing near enough to hear the women.
“Cliff?”
Blinking, he realized Emma had ceased speaking. “Yes?”
“Is something wrong?”
He wanted to say no. To hell with those people. If he wanted to have lunch with Emma, he would have lunch with her. Who were they to object? It was none of their damn business.
But he suddenly understood Bastien’s reluctance to embark upon a relationship with Dr. Lipton. Bastien feared fraternizing with him would reflect poorly on Melanie and might threaten her position here at the network.
Now Cliff feared the same for Emma.
Granted, all they did was sit at the same table while they ate lunch. They didn’t sneak kisses or caresses or do anything even remotely amorous. They just talked and laughed together. But tongues were already wagging, and…
His hands tightened into fists.
Emma glanced down at them. “Cliff?” she repeated softly.
“I don’t think we should eat together anymore.” The words left a sour taste in his mouth, but he’d rather eat at a separate table and still get to see her than have Reordon restrict him to sublevel 5 again.
“Why?” Nothing in her posture indicated he’d offended her. Rather she leaned forward, her pretty face somber.
He glanced to one side, then the other. “They’re talking.”
She followed his gaze, undoubtedly noticing the number of occupants who quickly looked away. “About us?”
“Yes.”
She seemed to ponder that. “What are they saying?”
He didn’t want to scare her by telling her they thought he wanted her, but he dreaded her response when he told her the rest. “They think you’re having lunch with me because you’re attracted to me.”
She studied him. “And?”
He stared. “And?” he parroted, caught off guard by the one syllable reply. He had expected her to laugh or deny it or say that was crazy.
Rolling her eyes, she motioned to the other employees. “Half the women here are probably attracted to you, Cliff. You’re freaking hot. What does that have to do with anything?”
His mind blanked. And his treacherous heart began to pound. Was she attracted to him? How could that be? “I’m a vampire.”
Her lips stretched in a smile. “I’m aware.” Her complete lack of concern confounded him.
“They don’t think Reordon would approve and are wondering if they should say something.”
Her smile vanished as her brows drew down. “Really? Crap. I didn’t think of that.” She nibbled her lower lip.
And damned if he didn’t feel desire slither through him as he watched. He swore silently. This would not be a good time for his eyes to start to glow.
“Did Mr. Reordon tell you not to fraternize with the employees?”
“No. But if he thinks there’s even a remote chance that—”
“Oh good!” a bright, feminine voice trilled. “You’re here.”
Cliff’s eyebrows shot up when an elderly woman stopped beside their table and beamed at him. She didn’t look a day under ninety, had a sweet smile bracketed by wrinkles, skin so pale he could see the veins at her temples, and snow-white hair pulled up into a tidy bun. The biceps left bare by her dress looked thinner than his wrist, and she seemed to weigh little more than the large clear container full of cookies that she carried.
Emma offered the woman a warm smile. “Hi, Sadie.”
“Hello, sweetie,” Sadie said, then swung her attention back to Cliff. “I’m so glad I caught you today, young man. Here. I