NocC 025 - Caridad Pineiro - Her Vampire Lover - Harlequin 2012-10 by Nocturne Page B

whom the table had been reserved. Everything about him screamed rich and royal, from the perfect fit of what she now realized was a blue-black suit, to the snowy shirt with the perfectly knotted tie and the hand he held just so before him. His wrist boasted a large and obviously expensive gold watch. Swiss, of course.
    “I’m sorry, miss. I warned you this table was reserved for the count. You’ll have to move,” the host said, but there was no hint of real apology in his voice. If anything, it had a nasty bite of “there, I told you so” in its tone.
    While she tried to decide whether to cave and leave, or fight and maintain her ground, the count silenced the host with a polished and almost-careless gesture.
    “Thank you, Henri, but that may not be necessary.”
    The pitch of his voice was low and her toes curled as she imagined that voice in the dark, whispering the proverbial sweet nothings in her ear. Her gaze fixated on his lips, harshly masculine but full. A devastating smile came to them along with a hint of a boyish dimple at odds with his otherwise manly and proper appearance.
    That dimple propelled her gaze upward. Her heart did a little flip-flop as she detected the glimmer of masculine interest. The curl that had begun in her toes at her first sight of him worked its way dangerously upward.
    She licked suddenly dry lips and said, “I’m sorry, Count—”
    “I prefer Gregori,” he replied smoothly and then gestured to the booth.
    “Would you mind if I joined you for supper?”

Chapter 2
    A bright stain of color worked its way across her cheeks and Gregori had a hard time deciding if it was from embarrassment or something else. He hoped it was something else, although there was a vibe about the woman that struck him as almost virginal. He couldn’t quite say why, because she was beautiful. Toffee-colored hair with streaks of sunlight framed a heart-shaped face with deliciously full lips. But it was her eyes that snared his attention the most. They were the dark violet-blue of the happy-faced pansies his father had used to plant to cheer up Gregori’s ailing mother.
    That violet-blue gaze had been almost demure as it traveled over him at first glance.
    He was used to women with a more direct approach and the kind of perusal that left no doubt about just what they wanted, which was fine with him. It was usually just what he wanted anyway. Especially because it gave them that bright taste of desire as he sank his fangs in for an after-sex bite.
    But not this woman, he thought again, as he waited for her answer, anxious. He hadn’t felt that way in a long time.
    “I wouldn’t mind.”
    Funny response. She’d not said she’d like it or love it or any of the other expected replies.
    Henri immediately jumped into the discussion. “She’s already ordered, Count. The roast chicken.” His nose twitched with obvious disapproval.
    “A wonderful choice. The same for me. I’m sure it will be as delicious as always,” he replied with a glare at the host.
    Holding out his hand, he introduced himself more properly. “I’m Count Gregori and you would be…”
    She slipped her hand into his. It was warm, smooth and slightly moist from nerves. A skitter of desire worked through him as he imagined that hand trailing over his body.
    “Sonja Dubcek, but everyone calls me Sunny.”
    He held back a shudder at her nickname. Nothing sunny held an attraction for him. But as he brought her hand to his lips and her excited pulse registered against his vampire senses, he realized he’d be lying to himself if he didn’t acknowledge his interest in her.
    “Sonja,” he said, enjoying the way her name fell from his lips. “If you wouldn’t mind indulging me yet again, I’d love to add a few of my favorites to our meal.”
    “Of course. It’s not a problem.” She withdrew her hand from his overly long grasp and lowered it to her lap.
    Inclining his head down to Henri’s shorter height, he rattled off his