He sniffed it.

He popped it into his mouth and began chewing. “Not bad.”

“Good. I knew you’d like it.” Raven grinned.

William picked up a paper napkin from the ottoman and discreetly removed the remains of the kernel from his mouth.

“What did you do that for?” She stared at him as if he’d grown another head.

“We can’t digest human food.” He balled the napkin up in his fist and put it aside.

“I guess I’ll save the M&M’s for myself. I think you’ll like this film. It’s about the Mafia.”

He gave her a puzzled look. “Why do you think it would appeal to me?”

Raven pushed her hair behind her ear. “It’s a great film with a great cast. The opening scene sets the tone for the entire movie—it’s a meditation on justice.”

She glanced up at him before focusing on her drink. “I think you’ll find it interesting.”

William observed her for a moment. Then he closed his eyes and inhaled.

He opened his eyes directly.

“You’re anxious.”

“No, I’m not.” She reached into the popcorn, pulling out a healthy handful.

He took the bowl from her hand and placed it on the ottoman.

He moved closer. Too close.

“Tell me what’s troubling you.” He placed his hand on her knee and she tensed.

“Nothing.” She moved away slightly and nibbled on her popcorn.

“You’re lying. I can smell it.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “How can you smell a lie?”

“Your body chemistry changes in accordance with your moods. You’re anxious about something and every time you lie, your anxiety peaks.” He moved closer and caught her chin, lifting it. “Whenever I touch you, I elicit the same reaction.”

“William,” she protested, looking away.

He pressed his lips to her temple.

“Are you anxious about going to bed with me?” His lips moved against her skin.

She closed her eyes at the sensation.

“I said I wasn’t sleeping with you tonight.”

“You’re planning to engage in sex with me soon.” He kissed her again, this time brushing his lips against her forehead. “Why not tonight? Why not now?”

She leaned into him but only for a second.

“You’re going to spill my drink.”

He took the glass from her hand, placing it on a tray next to the popcorn.

“Problem solved.” He kissed the edge of her jaw, pulling her closer. “I am a vigorous lover. All vampyres are. Because you’re human and because I—” He cleared his throat. “I’ll be careful. You tell me what you want, how gentle, how hard…”

He brought her hand to his thigh. “I’ll lead the dance, with you in mind. All you have to do is feel.”

Raven felt her skin flushing and she mumbled a curse word.

He touched the apple of her cheek with his index finger. “It pleases me that I excite you. I’m looking forward to watching your face when you climax. Tell me, what do you enjoy? What do you crave? My tongue between your legs, in your mouth, on your breasts?

“Do you want my hands to roam your body or would you rather I lifted your arms above your head?

“Do you prefer to be above or below? Sideways? From behind?” He kissed her ear.

Raven shot off the couch so quickly, she almost fell.

“Stop.” She pressed a hand to her face, trying to cool the heated skin.

“Why?”

“I don’t like bullshit and that sounds like bullshit. Stop talking to me like that.”

William’s expression changed in an instant. He stood, glaring. “What’s the issue, Raven? I thought we’d come to an understanding.”

She held up her hands. “I just want a quiet evening and a movie. Can’t we forget about all that other stuff ? And relax?”

William moved toward her but stopped, noting that she was extremely agitated.

She didn’t appear afraid, but neither did she seem comfortable.

His seductive strategy was failing and that pricked his pride.

His features hardened. “We are going to bed together. You will welcome me inside your body. It’s only a matter of time.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

He gestured in frustration. “Why the hell not?”

“Do vampyres transmit sexual diseases?”

“Of course not!” His nostrils flared. “Do you think I would do that to you? That I’d knowingly give you a disease?”

“Humans have to discuss disease before they have sex.”

“Vampyres are impervious to human diseases. We cannot contract them or transmit them. Next issue.” He crossed his hands over his chest.

When she didn’t respond, his eyes narrowed.

“This is all subterfuge. What’s the true reason you won’t go to bed with me?”

“I went to see Bruno,” she blurted out.

“I know. And?”

“He didn’t remember me.”

“I warned you about that. Vampyre blood can cause memory loss.”

Raven looked over at her cane, which was resting against the sofa.

“We went out. We had dinner and laughed. He kissed me. Today, he was completely indifferent. He barely looked at me.” She gave William a tremulous look. “I’m tired of being invisible.”

His expression softened. “Come here.”

“No.”

He extended his hand in her direction. “You aren’t invisible to me. I think I’ve made that clear.”

Raven turned to stare at the empty movie screen. “What happens when you really see me?”

“I don’t understand.”

“You wouldn’t,” she mumbled. “You’re beautiful.”

“You seem to be forgetting that I want you.” He gestured to what stirred behind his trousers. “Badly.”

She met his eyes and gave him a long look. “Tonight I don’t need a lover. I need a friend. Can you give me that?”

“Vampyres don’t have friends.” William retreated a step.

He was about to deny her; she saw the resolve in his gaze.

Abruptly, his face changed.

“If that’s what you desire,” he said primly, gesturing to the couch.

She sat down, and this time he positioned himself a few feet away. He placed the popcorn bowl between them and handed her the drink.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t answer, his posture stiff, his face glowering.

She pressed play on the remote control.

William was so engrossed in the film he didn’t notice Raven set the popcorn bowl aside. Nor did he notice when she moved toward him.

During the scene when Michael comes to his first wife on their wedding night, she rested her head on William’s upper arm. Without thinking, he shifted so that his arm went around her shoulders.

She burrowed against him.

“Is it dangerous?” she asked.

“Is what dangerous?” He looked down at her profile.

“Having sex with a vampyre.”

His gaze returned to the screen. “It can be.”

“For my body or my heart?”

He leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead.

“I thought your heart was part of your body.”

She met his eyes and the smile faded from his lips.

“I can’t answer that, Cassita,” he whispered.

Raven tried to focus on the film, pretending his words didn’t trouble her.

In the middle of the night, Raven awoke in William’s arms. They were in his bed.

William was on his back, shirtless, stroking the skin of her shoulders, while she curled into his side.

The room was dark. The curtains had been drawn across the balcony doors. A small shaft of light shone from under the door that led to the hall.

She blinked up at him, trying to make out his features.

He smiled. “Hello, pretty girl.”

The shadows made her bolder, as she forgot that he could see in the dark. She lifted her hand to his face and pressed against him. Her green eyes darkened with an unexpressed emotion.

Somehow, her feelings transferred themselves to her lips. She kissed him purposefully, nibbling his lower lip before taking it into her mouth.

William touched her neck, angling so he could deepen the kiss. As soon as their tongues touched, sparks flew.