A Whisper of Eternity - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,51

to satisfy her craving for dark chocolate, or enjoy a milk shake on a hot summer day, or indulge in a piece of lemon meringue pie?

She sensed his presence before he appeared. There was a familiar tremor in the air and suddenly he was standing beside her.Tall and dark and more handsome than the law allowed. Black jeans hugged his long legs, a black sweater emphasized the width of his shoulders.

His nearness made her tremble.

Bemused, Dominic lifted one brow. "Surely, after all this time, you cannot be afraid of me?"

"No. I'm not afraid. Not anymore."

"What is it, then?"

"I'm just happy to see you. I missed you today."

"Indeed?"

She nodded, her heart pounding with happiness and anticipation. What would he say when she told him how she felt?

"Tracy?"

She moved toward him. Standing on tiptoe, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you."

He stared down at her, his eyes filled with hope. "Can it be true?"

"Yes, but I'm not ready... I can't, you know? Not yet..."

"Hush." He placed his fingertips over her lips, stilling her words. "It is enough that you are mine."

Their relationship changed after that.Tracy no longer felt like a prisoner in his house and when she expressed a yearning to go back to Nightingale House, he made no objection.

She packed her things the next day and as she did so, she realized she would miss this house. Perhaps, later, they could visit here again.

She wandered through the rooms while waiting for Dominic, mentally redecorating the master bedroom, wondering what it would be like to share it with Dominic.

And then he was there, at her side.

A blush warmed her cheeks.

He looked down at her, one brow arched.

"Hi," she said airily, eager to get out of the bedroom before he divined her thoughts. "I'm all packed and ready to go."

He glanced at her suitcases, waiting near the door.

"I'll need to rent a car."

"You can, if you wish, or I can take you."

"What do you mean?"

"I will return you to your house the same way I brought you here."

"Oh."

He watched her, quietly waiting for her reply.

"How, exactly, did you bring me here?"

"Vampires are able to cross great distances rapidly." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Did you not find that bit of information in the books you read?"

She shrugged. "I don't remember."

"So?"

"Well... it is a long way..."

"Is there anything you want to take with you now?"

"My bag and overnight case."

With a nod, he lifted her into his arms,then picked up the two items she had mentioned. "Are you ready?"

"I guess so."

"You are not afraid?"

"Well... a little, maybe. I've never done this before. At least not when I was awake," she amended. "How long will it take?"

"We will be there before you know we have left."

She blinked and the next thing she knew, she was standing in the living room at Nightingale House. "Wow! That's incredible!"

"Indeed."

She frowned."My car! I left it at the motel..."

"It is in the garage." He dropped a quick kiss on the tip of her nose. "I will go and get the rest of your things."

He was back in moments, empty-handed.

Tracystared at him. "You didn't bring..."

"It is all upstairs."

"All of it?"

"Of course."

"You're amazing."

His smile was a trifle smug. "I am glad you think so."

"So," she mused, "what shall we do tonight?"

"I think it is time for you to see my world."

"What do you mean?"

"Sea Cliff is a haven for vampires."

She blinked up at him. In the back of her mind, she heardBryan asking her if she thought there was anything strange about the village."A haven? Youmean . . "

Dominic nodded. "There are perhaps a dozen or so who live here."

"But... I thought, that is, all the books I read said vampires couldn't live together."

"We do not hunt the same territory," Dominic said, "nor do we hunt where we live. As for living together, there is safety in numbers."

"All those people in black... I thought they were just Goths..."

"Some are."

"And the rest?"

"Are vampires."

"I really don't think I want to meet any of them."

"It is necessary."

"Why?"

"Because you are mine.And since you willnot let me bind us together, it is necessary that the others see us together, that they know you belong to me."

She lifted a hand to her throat. "And that will keep me safe?"

"Save for Kitana , I am the oldest of my kind.To violate one under my protection means death. Are you ready?"

She glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. "Should I change?"

"You will do as you are."

She should have been afraid. She was on her way to