As if her thoughts had conjured him up, the man from yesterday walked into her store, holding the door open for a customer to leave. This afternoon he wore a navy v-neck sweater and faded jeans. And those jeans fit his toned physique all too well, she noted as her body quickened in response. When he smiled at her, her heart jerked at the physical pull she felt toward him.
A customer walked up and asked her a question about a historical novel, drawing her attention away. Before she walked off to help the lady find the book she sought, Rana met his gaze once more and smiled back.
As she rang up the customer's novel, she noted the man from her dream had settled into a chair in the reading corner. He was immersed in one of the leather hardbound collector's edition books. Which one caught his attention? she wondered.
She didn't have time to contemplate him further as several women walked in with their children in tow. Rana smiled, knowing she'd just received a whole slew of children's books. The children immediately ran over to the reading corner, picked books out of the wicker basket on the floor, and sprawled out on the carpeted area to flip through them.
"Would you like to see the new books we just got in?" Rana asked the mothers.
"Yes," they replied in unison and Rana showed them the bookshelf where the new books resided.
While the women browsed through the books, Rana noted her male visitor still had his head bent over his book. She picked up a basket full of books and walked over to another bookcase. Bending to collect several books, she stood and slid them onto the shelf. Rana backed up, placed her hands on her hips, and bit her bottom lip as she decided how she wanted to display the books.
Larger than a standard sized book, the map books warranted a shelf on their own, but she didn't want to put them up so high readers couldn't see them. Sighing at her dilemma, she flipped her hair over her shoulder and involuntarily shivered when she felt something brush against her bared neck as if someone stood behind her and softly ran a hand across her skin.
She looked up and her eyes locked with the man's silver ones. He leaned back in the chair, his book lying in his lap, and stared at her intently. Seemingly calm and unruffled by the children chattering around him, his gaze skimmed over her body in a slow, sensual sweep before his eyes met hers once more. Unmistakable desire flickered in those striking pale pools before he smiled and picked up his book once more. Her stomach clenched and a thrill shot through her at the thought of this dynamic man seeming to want her.
When he opened the book and broke their gaze, an idea suddenly popped into her head: top shelf, because the kids will get to them otherwise. A sign at eye level pointing to the map books should do the trick. Spurred into action by her out-of-nowhere brainstorm, Rana moved behind the counter to make the sign.
While she taped the sign up on the wall, the sound of the man's deep voice caused Rana to pause her movements. She looked up to see him reading one of the storybooks to the children. They all sat around him, their faces raised in rapt attention. As he told the age-old story of Little Red Riding Hood, she found herself jumping when he described the wolf pouncing out of bed after little Red Riding Hood. There was something about his voice, the steady, self-assured intonation with which he spoke which mesmerized all who listened. Rana shook her head with a smile. He was like the Pied Piper, leading them along on a merry adventure.
When he finished the story, she heard clapping behind her and realized that the mothers had also stopped their browsing to listen to him tell the story. He looked up at the clapping and grinned sheepishly. Rana smiled her approval, openly laughing when the children demanded more.
The last hour few by and when the last customer left, Rana stood behind the counter, unable to move as he put the book he'd been reading back and approached. She knew she must look like a deer caught in headlights. She'd been comfortable with his attention when there were people around, but now that they were alone, her heart rammed so hard in her chest, it was a wonder he didn't hear it.
Forcing an unaffected smile, she asked, "Did you enjoy your book?" She'd finally discovered he'd been reading the book on Turn of the Century Inventions.
He smiled back. "Yes. How's your arm?"
"Healing quite nicely, actually." That was an understatement. When she looked at the wound this morning and saw it was almost completely healed, she'd been totally surprised.
She met his penetrating gaze and wondered what he would think if he knew he'd played a starring role in her fantasy dream the night before. The secret brought a playful smile to her lips.
He leaned forward, a curious expression on his face. "Care to share?"
Her cheeks grew hot under his close scrutiny. She cleared her throat, thrusting aside all thoughts about last night.
Go on, Rana. Give the man a fantasy to hold onto.
Go away, Jack.
"Um, no." She lifted a stack of books from the counter and walked across the shop, passing him on the way to the shelves. "So, if you're not buying the book on inventions, are you back to buy that vampire book?" She teased without turning.
"No." His chest touched her back as he breathed the word in her ear. She dropped the books with a cry. How'd he move so quickly behind her?
Rana bent to retrieve the books. He squatted beside her and handed her a hardcover mystery. "You scared me," she accused, meeting his steady gaze.
A look of guilt passed over his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."
"It's okay." She couldn't help but smile at his contrite expression. Standing, she lifted the books.
He stood as well and shoved his hands in his front pockets, a devilish grin riding up his face. "I hope you'll accept my dinner invitation tonight."
Focusing on the books as she put them on the shelf, she contemplated him. She knew nothing about the man accept he was incredibly attractive. This probably wasn't a good idea.
He moved closer until his chest touched her arm. "Come on, go out with me. Let me get to know you."
"I don't even know your name." She chuckled and faced him, taking a step back.
He looked pleased as he answered her, "My name is Lucian Trevane."
Blood rushed to her head at his words. The floor pitched beneath her. He reached out and grabbed her upper arms. "Are you okay?"
Rana shook her head to clear it. Okay, this just wigged her out that she'd guessed his name. Jack, did you put the mojo on me when you died and pass along your psychic abilities? A warning would've been nice.
She backed away from his touch. "No, I'm fine." Putting out her hand, she said, "My name's Rana Sterling."
He took her hand and instead of shaking it, he kissed the back of her fingers, his silver eyes locked with hers. "It's nice to meet you, Rana."
Tiny shock waves rolled down her arm and into her chest. Her breasts tingled, heavy with desire.
Before she could pull her hand away, he inhaled deeply. "I love your scent. It reminds me of citrus and honeysuckle."
Another shock. Talk about your electrical responses. If he keeps this up she just might go into cardiac arrest. Wouldn't that be great—dropping dead at the man's feet? Hey, at least she'd give him a shock for a change. "You can smell it?" Well, he obviously smelled something, but he'd gotten it all wrong.
She lifted the ring to her nose and said, "No, it's lavend—" But she stopped speaking when she realized he was right. She smelled citrus and honeysuckle. Okay, lovely, she'd just spent four hundred dollars on a revolving scent ring—a mood ring would be easier to explain. This was just plain weird. Well, at least he confirmed she wasn't going completely nuts, and so far she liked the various fragrance combinations.
She looked up at him and smiled. "You're right."
"Of course." He grinned. "It's intoxicating."
His nearness, his heat reached out and penetrated her clothes, seeping into her skin. Before she knew it, she said, "I'll go to dinner with you." Now why did she just agree to go to dinner with him? Oh yeah, that moth to the flame thing. Don't the stupid mot
hs know it's really a bug zapper?
At his triumphant smile, she put up her hand. "But I'll meet you at the restaurant."
He nodded and they made arrangements to meet at the China Jade restaurant downtown.
* * * * *
"Hi." Rana slid into the chair across from him and thanked the waiter for her menu.
"Hey." He grinned.
After she'd placed her order, Rana turned to him, curiosity getting the best of her. "What were you really looking for when you came into my store the other night?"
"I was looking for something I'd lost a long time ago." His gray eyes twinkled.
Remembering he said he'd found what he was looking for, her eyes lit up. "Really? Why haven't you bought the book then?"
Lucian smiled and put his hand over hers. "Rana, I've looked a long time for you."
She swallowed hard. That sounded way too specific. "Um, don't you mean someone like me?"
He slowly shook his head. "No, I mean you. I've searched all my life and I finally found you."
Stalker? No, obsessive. No, weird. No, possessive. Yes, possessive described the look in his eyes. Oh, boy, and she was really starting to like him, too, darn it! So why did that look make her feel so wanted? She never did make good decisions when she wasn't her normal self. And losing Jack would certainly qualify.
Rana pulled her hand away and looked at her watch. "You know, I just remembered I have something I need to take care of…"
"Rana."
She rambled on, "Yeah, I promised my parents I'd…"
"Rana." If his calm tone didn't stop her babbling, his warm hand covering hers once more certainly did.
"Hmmm?" She met his gaze warily.
He smiled a slow tilting of the lips that was oh, so sexy. "Do you believe in Kismet?"
"As in fate?"
He nodded slowly while his thumb traced circles inside her palm.
"My grandfather did."
"And did you trust your grandfather's opinion?"
She gave a wry smile. "Most of the time."
His silver gaze held hers. "Then trust that I mean you no harm. I only want to get to know you." Trust me. Trust me. His words made a whispering echo in her head. Man, how'd he do that?
His expression was so sincere. For some reason she couldn't fathom, she did trust him, explicitly. Regret washed over her. Pulling her hand from his, she said, "I'm sorry, but I can't give you what you're looking for."
He smiled, his eyes tender. "What's wrong? I see sadness in your eyes."
Tears welled up at his genuine interest in her well-being. "I recently lost my grandfather. That's the funeral I was attending when you saw me."
She rubbed her throbbing temples, disappointment in herself overwhelming her. "I'm in no shape to get involved with anyone." Tears threatened to fall.
He captured her hand once more, lacing his fingers with hers. "Give me a chance to get to know you, Rana. That's all I ask."
She sniffed back her tears and gave him a trembling smile. "I don't know what to say."
The deep timbre in his low laugh went straight to her toes. "Say you'll come dancing with me tomorrow night."
He wasn't looking for more than she could give. He just wanted to dance. That's not so bad. Dancing was a safe, no strings attached type of date. She nodded with a smile. "Yes, I'll go dancing with you." She cocked her head to the side. "What about you? Why were you at the cemetery?"
"I was saying goodbye to someone I knew a long time ago."
He didn't elaborate so they moved on to discussing a varied range of subjects while they ate. She learned Lucian also collected books and from his descriptions his collection rivaled her private one.
"Do you have any siblings?" he asked.
She shook her head. "What about you?"
"Yes, I have a sister, Sabryn." He chuckled. "She's quite a pistol."
Rana's brows drew together as she worked the chopsticks, picking up a piece of chicken. "Sabryn, that's an unusual name. I recently met a woman named Sabryn."
He raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
She nodded, set down the chopsticks and lifted her left hand. "I bought this ring from her a couple of days ago."
He clasped her hand in his warm one and inspected the ring. "Unusual design."
"I thought so, too. And for some reason, once I put it on, I didn't want to take it off." She laughed. "And now, I couldn't blast the darn thing off my finger if my life depended on it."
He chuckled at her words while he ran his thumb over the ring, sliding his finger down to caress her skin. "I like it. The ring suits you."
Dinner was over way too soon and after Lucian had taken care of the bill, he walked her outside. His brow rose as they approached the electric blue sports car.
She laughed and answered his unspoken question. "It was my grandfather's. He was much more flamboyant than me."
He clasped her hand. "I think it fits your personality well."
She gave him an are-you-nuts look. "Yeah, right. That's me, wild Rana."
He smiled. "You're a very passionate woman, Rana. One I want to get to know better."
The crisp fall wind whipped around them, making her shiver. Lucian pulled the lapels of her coat closer together. His caring, thoughtful gesture melted her heart. She smiled up at him. He ran his thumb slowly along her jaw line as if memorizing the contours of her face and lifted her hand to his nose, inhaling her scent.
"May I kiss you?"
Yes, she wanted to scream. If you don't, I'll kiss you. She nodded.
He smelled so good, like an exotic aroma she couldn't place. The description eluded her. The scent was like being in the woods after a fresh rain with a spicy fragrance wafting through the trees all around her.
He cupped her face in his big hands and murmured as his lips touched hers, "I have to know if you taste as good as you smell."
Threading his fingers through her hair, he pulled her closer. Rana grasped the elbows of his winter coat and opened her mouth under his persuasive lips. His warm tongue took one long sensuous stroke against hers before hungrily coming back for more. It was just like the kiss from her dream—intimate and thorough.
He tasted like the peppermints the waitress had handed them at the end of their meal, refreshing and cool, mixed with hot male desire—a stimulating combination. She returned his devouring kiss, needing the contact, reveling in it.
He pressed her against her car, his hips pinning her in place. "You taste better than I could've ever imagined," he whispered hoarsely while he trailed his lips over her jaw.
Rana gave a soft sigh and let her head fall back, exposing her neck for his tantalizing kisses. When they didn't come, she opened her eyes and stared at him, worried she'd somehow done something wrong. His nostrils flared as he stared at the expanse of her neck, his entire body tensed against her.
She chuckled. "It's okay, Lucian, I don't bite."
He flashed a smile, his eyes meeting hers. "Oh, but I do, sweet Rana."
She stifled a giggle. "As long as you don't draw blood, I'm fine with love bites."
One hand on her hip, the other entangled in her hair, Lucian's eyes flamed with desire as he gently tugged the handful, tilting her head, exposing her throat.
"You have such a beautiful neck."
Her throaty laugh turned to a gasp of pleasure as he trailed blazing kisses down her neck and back up. His hot tongue laved her skin while his hold on her tightened and his hips gently ground against her, his rigid flesh unmistakable.
Liquid heat gathered between her thighs. The aching pressure became more than she could handle. She pressed back, a counter to his rhythmic thrusts. He growled low in his throat at her response, his teeth grazing her skin, causing goosebumps to form all over. She moaned in anticipation and dropped her hands to his lower back, pulling him closer.
Laughter penetrated her foggy brain and reality came rushing back. A group had exited the restaurant and was making their way to their cars. They joked amo
ngst themselves. She tensed, and Lucian's grip on her tightened, his teeth clamped on her neck, pinning her still.
She whispered his name once and then more forcefully when he responded by pulling her closer and applying pressure. Finally, he lifted his head, his entire body tightly coiled, his expression totally focused. Shaking his head as if to clear his mind, he finally seemed to come back to the present.
He dropped his hands, stepped away, and gave her a half smile. "I'm sorry, Rana. You had me so caught up, I forgot where I was."
She laughed softly. "Well, that makes a girl feel good."
But Lucian's stepping away was a good thing, too. It cleared her brain so she didn't make a hormonally driven statement like, "Come home with me so we can finish what we started."
No, she liked Lucian. She wanted whatever was happening between them to take time, even if it was a slow, simmering burn. That way, she'd be sure the intense passion that they seemed to share was real and not because she'd be using him to fill the well of grief left by Jack's death.
Lucian grasped her hand and brought her hand to his mouth. His silver eyes searched hers as he placed a kiss on her palm. "Dance with me tomorrow night?"
Rana smiled. "Yes, let me give you directions to my house."
Lowering her hand, he laced his fingers with hers, shaking his head. "I'll find you." The warmth of his confident smile spread through her like the first rays of spring sunshine, taking her breath away.
Rana returned his smile, giddy with the knowledge he wanted to find her and not have the information so freely given. She withdrew her hand and opened her car door. "See you tomorrow night around seven-thirty?"
He nodded. "Good night, sweet Rana."
She climbed into her car and drove off, her thighs tingling, her sex throbbing in unfulfilled desire. What would it be like when he slid inside her? She squirmed in her seat, because in her heart she knew—it would be mind-blowing. Rana punched the gas and kicked the car into a higher gear, smiling at the rumble of the engine vibrating beneath her thighs. Oh, yeah, Jack definitely got his jollies!
A Taste For Passion Page 5