Only this time did an overwhelming anticipation fill her. She pressed her hand to her heart, reminding herself to stay composed. Just another blind date. No big deal.
The cab slowed and Daria glanced out the window. A man stood in front of the bar, his clothes and skin illuminated red and blue from the fluorescent sign and slightly yellowed amid the glow of streetlights. He had dark hair but stood too far away for her to recognize.
Her heart stuttered before thundering in her chest. She was sure they could hear it as far south as Hyde Park. So much for staying composed.
The driver muttered the cost of the ride and she whipped out ten dollars before stepping outside. A cool breeze swished around her bare legs, reminding her that beauty came with sacrifices. She had donned a blue, floral sundress with an A-line shape. A white cardigan helped to keep out the cold and she matched everything with white sandals and a purse.
Her chest clenched and her stomach practiced gymnastics as she neared. Keep it cool, Daria. Her date appeared hot in the photos, but he was absolutely gorgeous in person. He wore a fitted black tee that showed off the muscles in his arms and his dark blue jeans emphasized a narrow waist and strong legs. Michelangelo couldn’t have imagined a more perfect face to carve in marble. His rugged jaw line begged for caresses and she suspected it could lift in defiance or bow in shyness as it did now.
And he looked strangely familiar. Where and when had they met before? Her brows furrowed. Surely she’d remember if they had. No one could forget a face like his.
She stepped closer and oddly, warmth and belonging replaced her anxiety. Things were going to go well. She could feel it.
The smile that spread on her face blossomed straight from her heart, and with her hand outstretched, she greeted, “Hi, you must be Jason. I’m Daria. Nice to meet you.”
He grinned and responded with a firm handshake, introducing himself in turn. When his fingertips touched the inside of her wrist, little shivers wound up her arm, teasing her memory. The shyness she thought she saw disappeared. The man exuded confidence with his easy smile and height, which she’d bet measured over six feet. Why he possibly needed a dating service was beyond her imagination. She’d have to ask him that in a bit.
A sparkle on his wrists winked at her. Bracelets? She didn’t have a chance for a second look as they went inside. He politely allowed her to walk ahead of him, which didn’t give her the chance to study him more.
Dozens of people stood around the bar and almost all the tables had customers. From the sudden cheer, she guessed an important game played on the screen.
Several women turned around and stared at Jason as they walked by. Their gaze darted from him to her, and she could guess what they were thinking. Why did a guy like that date a girl like her? Daria gritted her teeth. Well, he was, so too bad. One woman tossed Jason an inviting smile. Great. The consequences of a hot date.
They stopped in front of their table and sat down. She tried not to let the stares bother her and reached for the menu, expecting to order first. Instead, she found him smiling at her, displaying teeth befitting a toothpaste ad.
“I’m really happy you could make it. I know it was a little last minute. But I couldn’t wait to see you.”
She blinked, dazzled by his smile. She could stare at him for hours if he always smiled at her like that.
It dawned on her that he waited for a response. Blood rushed to her face. She shouldn’t have zoned out like that. After clearing her throat, she asked, “Why?”
“I was sure we’d get along.”
Strange. But she had just thought the same thing. She somehow knew tonight would go well. But she wouldn’t tell him in case she sounded desperate or weird or maybe both.
He didn’t elaborate and instead gave her another sweet smile before browsing the menu. She took the opportunity to study him.
He had long fingers, neat, trimmed nails, and a gentle curl in his lashes. When he pursed his lips while musing over something he read, she wondered what his kiss felt like.
She jerked the menu to her face. Idiot. She was thinking like an infatuated teenager. What was wrong with her? She was a professional woman with a bright career ahead of her, not some girl trying to get a new ‘M-R-S’ degree.
Only when she was sure her face had returned to its normal color did Daria lower the menu. They ordered their dinner and the next hour passed by in a blur. They chatted about food and movies, books and hobbies. His eyes never strayed from her the entire evening and his attention made it easy to ignore the sound of televisions and neighboring noise.
A dimple appeared with every smile, turning him boyish and shy. He also talked with his hands and she caught several glimpses of thin black bands with a small silver buckle clasped to each wrist. Yet when she planned to ask him about it, he withdrew his hands to his lap.
Otherwise, the evening passed by as well as could be expected of any blind, first date. Daria couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed herself so much.
“So, why did you join a matchmaking service?” Daria finally asked. “You don’t look like you need one.”
“The same goes for you.” He laughed at her frown and then his demeanor turned serious. “I could tell you it’s because I’m too busy, that it’s easier to have someone else do the legwork. But the truth is, I’m looking for her.” He dismissed her confusion with a wave of his hand. “The one. My other half. Whatever you want to call it.”
How charming. This man believed in finding a woman who was his other half. She didn’t think people today still believed in that sort of thing.
“And you think a matchmaking service will help you?” she asked skeptically. When he shrugged, she added, “Have you found her? Or a potential?”
His expression took on a faraway cast, and a tender smile crossed his lips. When he turned his dreamy eyes on her, Daria’s heart fluttered. “She’s out there.”
She swallowed, suddenly warm down to her toes. This guy could seduce women with one glance. If he kept staring at her like that, she’d invite him back to her place, against her better judgment.
She quickly excused herself to go to the bathroom. “I’ll be right back.” She gave him a bright smile so there’d be no question she was having a good time.
Compose yourself. Calm down. No need to get too worked up over this guy. The date was going well, but if they always went so well, she would have cancelled this silly service by now, because she’d have already met the perfect guy for her.
Almost too perfect.
That was the problem. He seemed too good to be true. Did good-looking, attentive, considerate men even exist in this day and age? More importantly, if they existed, would she be lucky enough to meet one?
Only when they wanted something.
That had to be it. He was trying to get into her pants. What other reason could he possibly have to be so nice? She wasn’t beautiful or even pretty. On a good day, she could pass for cute.
He probably had a perfect body, too, while hers was only passable. In fact, what wasn’t perfect about him? Guys like him didn’t go for girls like her. She needed to keep reminding herself of this or she’d only have disappointment and heartache for company later.
Daria sighed and stared in the mirror, checking her makeup and then her teeth. She straightened her sweater and moved her hair behind her shoulders only to pull it back to the front to frame her face.
Her heart thundered in her chest. If he kept gazing at her as he had during dinner, she’d melt into a puddle on the floor. She had to get a grip and stay in control. The last thing she wanted was to be taken advantage of. Her feelings were fragile enough these days. Daria groaned, remembering all the bad dates she had had lately.
Still, she couldn’t stop the butterflies in her stomach. Not that she expected a second date. Lightning didn’t strike t
wice in a night. But in her heart, a small ember of hope flared at the possibility of a second date.
She inhaled a deep breath to fortify herself. An invisible feather seemed to scratch her throat. Then she sniffed. Her eyes widened and she ran to the door.
Smoke seeped through the crack in the doorway and hints of shadowed flickers gyrated on the other side. She reached for the knob and then stopped, realizing she might burn herself. Daria peeled off her sweater and wrapped it around her hand before testing the knob.
Locked.
A cold wave of fear washed over her as her heart sank. She tested it again. It didn’t move. How could the door be locked when this wasn’t a private washroom?
She jiggled it a third time and when it still didn’t give way, she gave up and pounded on the door. “Help! I’m locked inside. Help!”
She slammed her fists against the wood, oblivious to the heat burning her hands. The dull thump of each desperate whack faded against the noise and screams on the other side.
People were fleeing for their lives and she was locked inside a bathroom. She couldn’t die here. She wouldn’t.
Why hadn’t the fire alarm sounded? Where were the sprinklers?
Her head snapped back. Two sprinkler heads hung from the ceiling but neither gave signs that they intended to prepare for Noah’s ark. Daria turned on a faucet. Then she wrenched out a stack of paper towels and dipped them into the water.
She was not going to die here. Repeating it to herself helped. There were so many things she still needed to do. The laundry waited for her at home and she never finished reviewing the files for tomorrow’s big meeting.
Suddenly, her mind blanked. She was about to roast in a bathroom and all she thought about were cleaning and work?
“Help!” she cried again, her voice feebler this time. “I’m locked inside.”
She tried to kick the door, but the heel of her sandal broke instead. She slumped against the sink and pressed the wet paper towels to her mouth and nose to keep the smoke inhalation to a minimum.
“Help me!”
I never got to fall in love.
Chapter 3
He didn’t know who screamed first.
Someone from the back of the restaurant cried, ‘fire!’ and pandemonium ensued. People shrieked and ran for the front door but Jason didn’t even notice the noise. Only one thing was on his mind.
Daria. She was still in the bathroom. The realization hit him like a kick in the gut. Dread clawed his stomach and he leapt from his chair and ran to the back. He swam against the tide of people as tables and chairs overturned in the mad dash to get outside. Jason struggled around the customers, pushing them toward the exit as he waded to the back.
At the end of the hallway, flames licked the walls of both restroom doors. He glanced around quickly. Not an electrical fire. His eyes shot to the ceiling. No water from the sprinklers. His jaw clenched.
A supernatural fire.
As if answering his thought, a flame dislodged from the wall and stretched its red-orange appendage to him.
“I will crush you,” Jason hissed, an energy ball forming in his hand.
A distant cackle faded into silence as the flame retreated, but it remained on the walls and engulfed the door. He squelched the ball in his fist as he narrowed his eyes against the fire. A jinn. The fire demon had no physical body and was instead made up of smokeless flames. It had come for Daria, but wouldn’t dare touch him for fear of retaliation.
“Daria!”
“Jason?” came a muffled voice behind the door.
“Stand back!”
He rammed the door with his shoulder. The solid wood gave way under his onslaught. He smelled burnt cotton as the flame caught his clothes, but with one sweep of his hand they subsided.
Daria leaned against the sink and relief flooded her eyes. She stumbled to him. He caught her as she fell.
“Jason?”
“You’re safe now,” he assured.
Without another word, he scooped her up in his arms and ran from the bathroom. Smoke filled the small restaurant and the fire inched toward the bar, where bottles of alcohol lined the wall for display. Sirens blared in the distance.
Escaping through the front door was out of the question. The cops would ask how they’d remained unscathed, and why Daria had been locked in the bathroom in the first place.
He turned back around and strode through the kitchen and out the back door. They emerged in an alleyway. Sounds of a fire truck closed in and he scanned the area for a place to sit down. He settled for two concrete steps that led to the back door of an unknown establishment.
Why did he only have the chance to hold her in alleyways? He sighed. At least she had thrown her arms around his neck for support. He liked the way she held on to him and wished he could hold her like this always and never let her go.
But I can’t.
“Daria, we’re outside. It’s safe.”
She had buried her face in his shoulder and reluctantly peeled away to peek at him with one eye. When she had ascertained they were really outside, she sagged against him. She opened her mouth to speak but then a violent fit of coughing stopped her.
Jason frowned. Smoke inhalation. He did the only thing he could. He pressed his lips to her temple and whispered, “Sleep now.”
Her hazel eyes suddenly flared, recognition lighting them briefly before they closed in slumber.
He set her down gently and then picked up each of her hands. The side of her palms had second-degree burns. He placed his hands an inch from hers. Slowly, warmth spread from his palms and a brilliant white beam shone down on her injuries. A few seconds later, he removed his hands and verified her wounds had healed.
Then he tenderly framed his hands over her throat and repeated the act, trailing them over her chest to make sure he had removed any ill effects from the fire. He watched her inhale a deep breath and smiled to himself.
Jason cradled her in his arms, enjoying the way her head rested on the slope of his shoulder. He picked up her hand and kissed her palm, his heart aching to think she had almost died tonight. Pressing his cheek to her forehead, he breathed in the floral scent of her shampoo.
“I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” he whispered.
When would he have the chance to say the words to her face? Not tonight, not when they still hadn’t finished their date.
“Daria,” he called, shaking her awake. “Wake up. You’re safe now.”
She stirred. Then her eyes widened and she sat up, whipping her head around in panic.
“You’re safe,” he repeated. “We’re outside behind the restaurant.”
She blinked rapidly and squinted at him. He headed off the question forming in her mind. “You fainted as I was carrying you out. Everything is fine now.” Then before she could argue otherwise, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I was so scared. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Jason patted her hair and stroked her back. Gradually, the tension in her body eased.
Humans held onto life by a fragile thread easily snuffed out through disease, war, or old age. But no one had to deal with as many traumatic experiences as Daria. He tightened his hold as though it could shield her from all imminent attacks.
Their eyes met. Uncertainty marked her face but gratitude glowed within her eyes, her emotions laid bare. “Thank you for saving me.”
He brushed aside a stray strand of hair and his heart twisted with the burden of knowledge. Countless times he had saved her now. After all the attempts on her life, all the times he had helped her thwart death, to hear her words of appreciation over such a small incident almost broke him. She had no idea what had come for her, no clue what would come. He didn’t need or expect her thanks but it warmed his heart all the same.
/> Jason bent down, wanting nothing more than to kiss her. She felt soft and perfect in his arms while her thigh pressed against him, enflaming his desire.
He couldn’t take advantage of her like that. He pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead instead.
“I’d do it again,” he whispered thickly. His mouth had gone dry and he stood, pushing her off his lap. Maybe a little too fast. She gasped and stumbled for a foothold. He caught her as she fell. He glanced to the heavens, silently asking for divine mercy on his soul. He tried to be a gentleman. Why was fate spoiling his good intentions?
She hopped on her foot as she used his chest to steady herself. Her hands burned him through his thin shirt and he imagined them roaming over his body. She was tiny standing next to him. Breakable. Even more so since she didn’t know the danger she was in.
When she still hadn’t found her balance, he looked down to see her heel had broken off. Without another thought, he scooped her back into his arms.
“Oh! I’m fine,” she protested. “I can walk.”
If he couldn’t keep her a safe distance away, then he might as well have her so close he couldn’t help but touch her. And high enough so she wouldn’t affect more vulnerable areas.
“I’m not going to have you hobble home. And that’s where I’m taking you. Home.”
“Are you always so chivalrous?” she teased, tilting her head back to look at him.
If she knew he wanted to take her back and make love to her until they were both spent, would she still call him chivalrous? He met her eyes and she blushed crimson. Okay. Now she knew.
Her gaze fell on his sleeve. She reached tentative fingers to the singed fabric. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Barely even touched me.”
Blood In The Stars Page 3