mind again. Pale skin that seemed to glow. Unearthly colored eyes that were sensitive to the light. Long blond hair. Maybe it wasn't Fabio she should compare him to at all, but the Vampire Lestat.
"Well, I guess I'd better go," she said in a rush. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Good-bye."
"Good-bye, Lainey St. John."
The loneliness in his voice was unmistakable and she paused, her hand on the doorknob. She couldn't just go off and leave him there alone. She grinned wryly. Even if he was a vampire, surely she'd be safe. After all, it was daylight. Weren't vampires supposed to be helpless when the sun was up?
"I could stay a while, if you like."
"Would you?"
"You... you won't bite me or anything, will you?"
"Bite you?" he asked, confused. "Why would I bite you?"
"Never mind." She glanced around the room. There was no furniture of any kind, not a chair, nothing. "Why don't we go downstairs?"
"If you wish."
"I don't suppose you have anything to eat?" Lainey asked as she walked down the narrow flight of stairs that led to the second floor.
"No."
"Maybe we could go out?"
"No."
"Oh, the light. I forgot. Well, never mind. I'm too fat, anyway."
"Not fat," he said from behind her, and the way he said it made her blush to the roots of her hair.
When they reached the main floor, Lainey dropped her purse on the floor, then sat down in the chair nearest the hearth.
Micah took the other one. His movements were quiet and inherently graceful, she thought. When he walked, he made hardly any sound at all.
She couldn't help staring at him. The white T-shirt he wore fit like a second skin, clearly outlining his broad shoulders and chest. His faded black jeans were also skintight, revealing long legs corded with muscle.
"How long will you be here?" she asked.
"Until someone comes for me."
"Someone?"
"A friend. From home."
"Oh. Is he picking you up here?"
Micah shrugged. "Here, or somewhere else. The place does not matter."
"Did you start the fire last night?"
He hesitated a moment before replying, "The fire? Oh, the fire. Yes."
Lainey frowned. Sometimes she had the feeling he didn't really understand what she was saying, yet he made the correct answers. It was strange.He was strange. And yet, she felt inexplicably drawn to him.
"Did you leave the orange juice on the porch, too?"
Again that pause before he answered. "Yes."
Lainey glanced at the window. "It's almost dark," she remarked. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to go out and get something to eat?" Her stomach picked that moment to growl meaningfully. "I only had a banana for breakfast," she said, smiling self-consciously, "and I didn't get any lunch."
"You're hungry?"
Lainey nodded. "Come on, let's go out. My treat."
"Treat?"
She was more convinced than ever that English was his second language. "I'll buy," she said. Rising, Lainey held out her hand. "Come on."
He stared at her hand for stretched seconds, and then he placed his hand in hers. His skin was cool, yet warmth flooded her palm and washed up her arm, spreading through her like liquid sunshine.
Stunned, she gazed up at him and saw her own astonishment mirrored in the depths of his incredible silver-blue eyes.
"Your hand is so small," he said, his voice tinged with wonder. "Small and warm."
Lainey glanced at the sofa, which looked altogether too inviting. The house, which had once seemed large and dark and gloomy, now seemed suddenly small and intimate.
She smiled uncertainly. "I... we should go."
He looked out the window and when he saw that the sun had gone down, he nodded slowly. "If you wish."
"I think it would be a good idea."
Outside, she took a deep breath, wondering at the odd effect his touch had on her. Opening the car door, she slid behind the wheel, then waited for him to get in. Glancing out the window, she saw him standing beside the car, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Get in," she called. "It isn't locked."
"How?"
"How?" She stared at him, certain he must be kidding, but he looked dead serious. "They must have cars where you come from."
"Not like this."
Frowning, she leaned across the seat and opened the door. Somewhat cautiously, he settled himself on the seat.
"Hang on," she said, and pulled away from the curb. "Where would you like to eat?"
"Where?"
"Yeah, where? Do you want to go to a restaurant, or just grab a burger at McDonald's?"
"A burger will be fine."
"Don't tell me. They don't have hamburgers where you come from, either."