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Excerpt from The Red Curtain by Kate Hill
Available from Changeling Press
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Grinning like a schoolgirl, she took a moment to calm her racing heart before walking to the foyer. Her hand on the doorknob, she arranged her face into a less silly expression, then opened the door.
Beneath his khaki jacket, Ash had changed into a casual black shirt and pants. The fierce wind tousled his hair and again she had the urge to bury her fingers in it. His gaze swept her from head to toe and she knew by his scent that he liked what he saw.
She stepped aside and said, “Hi. Come in.”
“Thank you. I’m not sure if you drink or not, but here.” He handed her a bottle of wine.
When she took it from him, she made a point to touch his hand again. Her fingers lingered over his for a bit longer than necessary. She noted that he was rather cold. No wonder, with the weather outside.
Glancing at the bottle, she read the label then held his gaze. “Red wine is my second favorite drink.”
“What’s your first?”
She smiled and took a step closer, pouring all of her feminine as well as vampiric charms into an intense glance. “I can’t tell you all my secrets right away, can I? Let’s sit in the parlor. I have a fire going. Right through there.” She handed him the bottle and pointed to the door on their left. “I’ll join you in a minute. I just want to get a couple of glasses.”
He walked down the hall and she slipped into the kitchen. After choosing two wine glasses and a corkscrew, she joined him in the living room, pausing for a moment in the doorway. He was seated on the couch, staring at the fire, as she approached, he turned to her, the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes. Sitting beside him, she placed the glasses near the plate of cookies on the table.
Fascinated by his hands, she watched them uncork the bottle and pour the wine. She desperately wanted to touch him again. Even better, she wished he’d kiss her. His scent enveloped her, so sensual and captivating.
He handed her a glass and again she used her fingers to stroke his as she took it. This time he returned the caress, his gaze fixed on hers with such intensity that she almost forgot he wasn’t a vampire. It was rare to find a mortal with such a penetrating gaze and strong sexual magnetism. Only Master Zigor had ever made her feel this possessed, yet even he hadn’t aroused her so completely with a look.
Suddenly Ash’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head.
“What?” she asked, leaning back against an oversized black pillow.
“Your eyes are very beautiful. I almost feel as if you’re hypnotizing me.”
“So do I,” she said, lulled yet aroused by the softness of his voice. Simultaneously, they sipped from their glasses.
Tavia placed hers on the table and picked up the plate, offering it to him. “Cookie?”
He took one and bit it. She tried not to stare blatantly at his adorable mouth as he chewed. Instead, she chose a cookie and placed the dish aside.
“They’re good,” he said.
“Want another?” She broke hers and extended a piece to him.
Rather than accept it, he moved closer. She scarcely needed to concentrate to hear his heart beating. His scent filled her and she longed to be far closer than they were now.
“I’m sorry, but I would really love to kiss you right now,” he said, his green gaze locked on hers.
Tossing the broken cookie back on the plate, she smiled and said, “Go for it.”
