stand that happened over a hundred years ago going to cause a problem between us?”
“I don’t know. I keep telling myself it doesn’t matter, but . . .”
“It does.”
Grateful for the dark, she said, “When you look at me, do you see her? When we kiss . . . ?”
Quill swore under his breath. “Is that what you think?”
She let her silence answer for her.
Pulling back the covers, he drew her into his arms. “I love you, Callie. I never loved Ava. We spent one night together. We remained friends after that. We had a few laughs. She practiced her brand of magic on me, and I practiced mine on her and her friends. We were always trying to outdo each other. But we were never in a serious relationship. Yes, you look alike, but that’s where the resemblance ends. I’ve never been in love with anyone else. Only you, sweet Callie. Hey,” he admonished softly, “don’t cry.”
Sniffling, she said, “I can’t help it.”
Using a corner of the sheet, he wiped her eyes. “Can you sleep now?”
“I guess so.” When he moved to rise, she grabbed his hand. “Don’t go.” She could feel his gaze moving over her face.
“Callie?”
She had never heard him sound quite so uncertain “Stay the night with me.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, a hint of wry amusement in his voice. “You know where that’s going to lead, don’t you?”
She nodded, grateful again for the dark that hid her burning cheeks.
He removed his T-shirt but not his sweatpants. He slid under the covers, then drew her into his arms. For a moment, he simply held her, giving her time to change her mind. Turning onto his side, he began to caress her, his hands moving lightly over her back, along the length of her thigh, then back up, sliding under her nightgown to stroke her bare skin.
She shivered at his touch, her breath catching in her throat as she laid her hand on his chest. Her fingers traced the raised scars that marred his skin, tentatively sliding lower until she reached the waistband of his sweats, where her courage deserted her.
Catching her hand in his, he lifted it to his lips and kissed her fingertips. “Relax, love. I’m just going to hold you.”
“But . . .”
“There’s no hurry. We have lots of time.”
She sighed with relief. “You’re not angry?”
“No, my sweet girl. I can wait until you’re ready. There’s only one first time. I don’t want to rush you.”
“Will you still stay with me?”
“If you like.”
She nodded, then yawned. Pillowing her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes. A moment later, she was asleep.
Quill held her all through the night, content to lie beside her and inhale the warm, womanly scent that was hers and hers alone, to feel the silk of her hair against his cheek, the length of her thigh alongside his.
As dawn approached, the slow, steady beat of her heart lulled him to sleep.
* * *
Callie woke with her breasts pressed against Quill’s back, one arm draped over his waist, her legs entwined with his. It was a nice feeling, having him so close, waking up next to him. If they married, she would meet every morning with him at her side.
Last night, she had been sorely tempted to give in to the attraction between them. She’d thought she was ready, but Quill had sensed her hesitation. Ava had once told her to hang on to her virginity because, once gone, there was no getting it back. And a smart girl waited until she knew in her heart that she was giving her greatest treasure to the right man, the only man who deserved it.
Callie sighed. She wasn’t sure why she’d hesitated. She loved Quill with every fiber of her being. Was it possible she harbored reservations about their future because he was a vampire? Well, who could blame her? It was a little more complicated than marrying a man from a different religion or one who was a vegetarian. They would both have to make adjustments, but she was willing to do whatever was necessary to make it work. She just needed a little time.
Easing away from Quill, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and grabbed her robe. When she opened the door, Ebony meowed a loud protest at having been shut out.
“Sorry. I guess our vampire must have closed the door last night. Funny,” Callie muttered, heading toward the kitchen, “I didn’t think a closed door could