“It’s sufficient.”
I smiled. “It’s probably amazing when the seasons change. All those leaves turning colors—I would love to draw them.”
His grin widened. “You should visit.”
“You? In the mountains?” I coughed again. “I mean, it’s… I bet it’s nice.”
“You said as much.”
Heat boiled my core, making it impossible to get my bearings. At least nobody was around to see me act like this.
My eyes shifted to Cecil behind the counter.
Well, she won’t repeat anything she sees, I thought with an inkling of hope.Seems like she has a huge crush on Matéo. I don’t think she’s paying attention to me at all.
The chef shouted for Cecil, reducing my anxiety by a thousand. Though the entrance chimed behind us, I didn’t bother looking back. Nothing else was worth observing more than this hunk of handsome who should have been flirting with anyone but me.
“It’s not too far if you want to go,” he offered. “Short drive.”
Alluring deviance glittered in his eyes—one red, one glacier blue—and tickled me all over. If his motives were what I sensed, then I was in for a hot night. And why not? I deserved to have a little rest and relaxation via a sexy loner wolf with hands rugged from manual labor.
My mouth watered at the thought of him rubbing my body. “Right now?”
“Right now,” he confirmed while standing. He offered me his hand. “You can follow me in my truck.”
“Oh, I…” I stared at his fingers, the ridges of his palm as rough as I had anticipated. It wasn’t until he squeezed my hand that I realized I was going along without hesitation. Something about him called to me.Instinctively.“Yeah, absolutely.”
He smiled. “I know you want to see it during the day, but at night…” He dropped a few bills on the counter. “It’s breathtaking.”
Like you. I cleared my throat and smiled. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“I’ll walk you to your car and—”
Two vampires blocked our path. The rest of the diner was still empty, the only sound around us was the bubble of the coffee machine and the air conditioning kicking on. Even the jukebox was silent as if anticipating a showdown.
Were we in trouble?
Damn it, we’re not at the inn, I thought while squeezing Matéo's hand.We’re definitely in trouble right now.
Matéo's growl was low, but it registered just the same as a threat. “Excuse us.”
The vampire narrowed his eyes. “You smell familiar.”
“I shouldn’t,” Matéo snapped. “Step aside.”
Whatever danger he exuded washed right over the vampire as the creature turned to observe me. His lips turned up in a deviant grin, one that rivaled the promise of Matéo's that I had witnessed just seconds ago. Much more malice. Much less mystery.
“You’re one of those inn owners,” the vampire stated. “Not on the hallowed ground today, are we, dear?”
Matéo puffed up. “Don’t talk to her like that.”
The vampires lunged at Matéo, giving me no time to prepare for their attack or to be shocked about what he said. Matéo flung me aside as the vampires landed on him. A brawl exploded in the cramped space, swivel chairs tearing from their places and linoleum crumbling under the weight of the three creatures wrestling.
Dizzy from the toss but mostly alright, I stood on uncertain legs and slid my bag over my shoulders. Once it was tightened in place, I lifted my fists, dancing forward like a boxer preparing to strike. And considering how many hours I had spent in front of the punching bag, these vampires were in for quite a few bruises.
Though the injuries would heal quickly, it would give me time to grab my sexy stranger and run for the door. Where was Cecil? And the cook? Were they aware that these vampires were going to walk in and cause trouble? Was that why they had gone to the back?
Damn it, I should have known.