A thought carried them to the sofa before the fireplace. Sitting, he cradled her on his lap, his arm at her waist, his hand lightly stroking her back as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. Heat suffused her. Heat that had nothing to do with the flames that sprang to life as if my magic in the hearth and everything to do with being so close to him. His mouth moved over hers, teasing, tasting, testing. She clung to him, her arms around his neck, wanting to be closer. To be a part of him. To have him be a part of her.

“Kathryn.” He whispered her name against her lips. “Do you know how much I want you? How easy it would be for me to take you?”

“Then do it.”

He drew back, his eyes burning into hers. “Be careful, Kathryn. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”

His warning sent a sudden chill down her spine, a stark reminder that Roan Cabrera was no ordinary man.

But she made no move to get up.

“Kathryn, you’re playing with fire.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

“Won’t I?”

She shook her head, her fingertips caressing his nape. “I trust you.”

“Foolish little girl.”

“I’m not a little girl.”

He groaned low in his throat. She most definitely wasn’t a little girl. The warmth of her breasts penetrated his shirt. Her kisses were more tempting than the blood he craved, her touch more welcome and inviting than that of any other woman he had ever known. And he had known many.

“Kathryn, do you know what you’re asking?”

“For you to love me.”

“I do love you. But if I make love to you, that will change everything.”

Lifting her from his lap, he lowered her onto the sofa. Rising, he gazed down at her. “Think about it tomorrow, about what it will mean, sharing your life with a vampire. The secrets you’ll have to keep, the lies you’ll have to tell.”

Bending down, he kissed her lightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have some thinking to do, too. And I need to feed.”