o you."

"thanks for giving me someone to talk to." colby knew rafael was near. every cell in her body had gone on alert. the nape of her neck prickled as if, already, she felt the warmth of his breath. "be safe."

"good luck, colby. i'll be thinking of you." natalya reached out and touched her, just the lightest brush of her fingers, but warmth sprang from natalya to colby. there was recognition in the touch. natalya drew back and nodded. "we're definitely related. please be very, very careful."

colby nodded. "you too." she watched natalya make her way quickly through the tables toward an exit, her heart beating with anticipation. she knew the exact moment rafael entered the bar. he was alive and that was all, in that moment, that mattered to her. he didn't look around-his gaze found her immediately. he stood across the room from her, exuding sheer sexy male confidence.

her stomach muscles tightened. her breath stopped. tiny flames of arousal licked through her as she felt the weight of his eyes from across the bar. he was alive. he seemed unhurt. and when he looked at her, there was stark hunger, a potent desire that rocked her to her core. he began to walk toward her, never taking his gaze from her. he moved with a sensuous grace that started her heart pounding in time to the music. he walked right through the crowd as if no one existed but her, watching her the entire time. no one bumped him and no one got in his way. he simply held out his hand for hers. "dance with me."

she watched fleeting emotions flicker across his face and dark shadows shift in his eyes. before she could stop herself she reached slowly out to him, mesmerized as always by him. he pulled her up and drew her against his body hard, fitting her close so that she could feel the hard bulge of his arousal pressed tightly against her. his body was hard, his arms strong, and his heart beat out a rhythm beneath her ear. she felt safe and protected. she felt threatened and frightened. it was insanity at its worst to dance with him. she was giving herself to him.

heat spread from his heavy erection outward, catching them both on fire. she felt weak with wanting him. his hands, at her waist, slipped lower to her hips, to press her body more lightly, increasing the friction between them as they swayed slowly around the dance floor.

i don't see any blood on you. did you find the vampire?

she wanted to just drift away with him on a rising tide of lust and need.

we met. he managed to get away, but i marked him. why did you come here to meet this woman?

she started to lift her head from his chest, but his hand caught the back of her head and held her to him. it wasn't his words or even his tone that alarmed her; it was a glimpse of his thoughts, quickly hidden from her. for just a fraction of a second, she caught temper swirling in him and something dangerous.

let me hold you, colby. it has been a long evening and i just want to feel you in my arms. he bent his head to her, his mouth nudging aside her shirt to burrow against the warmth of her neck. she shivered in his arms in reaction. his tongue swirled over her pulse and his teeth scraped roughly, seductively back and forth.

colby was afraid she was melting in his arms. she had pressed a kiss against his chest, turned her face up to his throat so she could feel his skin beneath her lips. she was shaking with need for him. her womb clenched and she was slick and damp with invitation. she wanted his clothes gone so she could examine every inch of him, see for herself that he wasn't hurt.

come away with me. i want to take you to the hot springs up in the mountains. just the two of us. i need you tonight, meu amor. this once, do not argue or protest. do not say no, just come with me and let me have you.

the music faded away. some of the bar patrons left the dance floor while others stayed as the next song picked up the tempo. rafael's body urged her from the floor toward the exit. she could feel the heat of his palm burning like a brand through her thin blouse. "paul and ginny..."

"are safe," he finished, his voice rough with raw passion. "come with me, colby. of your own free will. give yourself to me." he bent his head and deliberately teased the nape of her neck with his teeth, scraping gently, a small nip and swirl of his tongue heating her blood.

beneath the thin layer of her shirt, her breasts ached, felt uncomfortable in her bra, the nipples tight hard peaks painfully rubbing against the lace. she felt her body go weak and damp with invitation. she wanted him right there. that moment. hunger raw and sharp and terrible. "yes." she said it softly, but he heard. she knew he heard because his hand bit possessively into her hip. he urged her toward the door. her heart pounded in anticipation.