Rose seemed caught in the moment, too. She'd closed her eyes and arched her back. Moaning, she threaded her fingers in his hair and pulled him closer.

He mentally opened the buttons on her blouse and kissed the curve of her breast. When she gasped at his intimate kiss, he smiled against her skin, then glanced up to see her look down at him, her heavy-lidded gaze lit with desire.

He started to unhook her bra so he could taste her gorgeous nipples but his gaze landed on the locket around her neck. It'd flipped around to the backside and the Irish words inscribed on the back caught his attention. He stilled his movements.

Cosain me i gconai, it said. Protect me, always, his mind easily translated the words.

Guilt slammed into his consciousness and he immediately straightened their bodies, allowing them to float back to the ground.

"What is it?" Rose asked, grabbing his shoulders. She gave him a dazed, confused, almost hurt look as he buttoned her blouse.

Duncan stepped away and adopted a neutral expression. It was a difficult task. He found it hard to breathe, he wanted her so much.

"Forgive me, Rose," he said, regret lacing his words.

She ran her hand through her hair in an agitated manner. "It's okay. I...um, kind of got lost in the moment myself."

He gave her a half smile as he lifted her locket and rubbed his thumb across the inscription. "I just needed a little reminder of why we're here."

She seemed confused by his comment until she glanced down at her necklace in his hand. Jerking her gaze back to his, she clutched his wrist and said in an excited voice, "You can read it? What does it say?"

"You don't know?" he asked, puzzled.

She shook her head. "It was my mother's. I wanted to learn Irish but she didn't speak it very often when I was a little girl."

He nodded his understanding. "It says Cosain me i gconai."

"Ooh, that sounds beautiful. What does it mean?"

He couldn't help but smile at her exuberance. "It means 'Protect me always'."

Duncan lifted her chin until her beautiful eyes met his. "I'll make sure James doesn't find you. You have my word."

He let go of her chin and glanced down at her pendant in his hand, turning it back over to the front. Running his fingers across the tick marks along the edges, his brow furrowed. "These marks on the outer edge are interesting. Do you know what they represent?"

She shook her head. "No. My mother died a while ago. My father just gave my mother's necklace to me today." She wrapped her fingers around the locket, a wistful expression on her face. "He said my mother told him to give it to me. That it would protect me." She gave him a wry smile. "I guess it was one day too late, huh?"

Duncan shook his head and pulled her close, planting a tender kiss on her temple. "No, a stor, it was just in the nick of time."

"I love to hear you speak in my mother's language. How I wish she'd taught me the language of her people." She smiled up at him. "Who taught you Irish?"

He grinned as he clasped her elbow and led her toward the stairs that exited off the loft bedroom. "Let's go downstairs. You can eat while I answer your questions."

Rose had initially felt hurt and rejected by Duncan's abrupt withdrawal, but she found herself thankful for the honor that seemed to run through him. She didn't think she would have stopped him had he pursued their lovemaking. He'd so thoroughly seduced her, had her so completely wrapped up in him and the fact she felt no fear, only desire when he touched her, she would've given him anything he asked.

The music had abruptly stopped right around the same time Duncan called a halt to their foreplay, and she found she missed the beautiful background sounds as they entered his living room. She looked at the sound system and saw it was turned off.

As he directed her to sit at a table covered in tiles of deep burgundy, navy blue and forest green, she glanced up at him, asking, "Is your stereo system on a timer or something?"

Duncan chuckled at her question while he moved into the kitchen to pull out a knife and cutting board. "I guess you could say that." He waved his hand and the stereo turned on.

A traditional Irish instrumental song began to play. The tin whistle, violin and bodhran drum's uplifting beat filtered from the speakers throughout the house. Rose smiled her appreciation at his choice of music even as she eyed the speakers in the upstairs ceiling in confusion. "I don't remember the music you played earlier coming through the sound system." Then again, I was a bit distracted.

"In answer to your earlier question, my mother is Irish."

Duncan's comment drew her attention.

"Up until my brother and I were ten or so, she only spoke Irish to us. Drove my dad nuts when we'd answer him in Irish more often than not. Even now a faint accent still lingers." An amused smile tilted his lips as he began to cut up mushrooms.

"What part of Ireland is your mother from?" She lifted her locket and stared at the design on the front before letting it fall to her chest once more. "I wish I knew what part my mother came from."

Adding olive oil to the skillet on the stove, Duncan scraped the mushrooms into the pan and began to saute them. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "She's never said specifically, just commented that she came from the western side of Ireland."

Rose frowned that he didn't know and could so easily have found out just by asking. "I'd want to know everything about my ancestors. Not one tiny detail left out."

He chuckled. "You seem the type."

"What type is that?" she asked, straightening her spine.

He raised an eyebrow at her tone as he set the sauteed mushrooms aside and began to brown a chicken breast in the pan. "Just a very detail-oriented person, Rose. I meant no insult."

He met her gaze as he set a wineglass on the table, an intrigued expression on his face. "Why do you carry a gun?"

Her brow furrowed at the fact she'd had to leave her gun behind at her house. "I'm a PI. Carrying a gun is more for defensive protection due to the nature of my job."

His brows drew together at her statement. "What were you at the Lion's Lair investigating?"

Rose squirmed under his scrutiny. Somehow she felt he'd know if she tried to lie to him. "I was trying to find proof vampires exist for a client."

"What!" He slammed his fist on the table between them, cracking one of the tiles His golden eyes turned a burnt red color in his anger.

Rose jumped to her feet, putting her hands out at the menacing look in his eyes. "Whoa, there, vampire boy. Keep them fangs at bay. I don't know why you're mad."

Coming around the table, Duncan clasped her upper arms. "No way in hell are you meeting with that client, Rose. As a matter of fact, I want his name. Now!"

She tried to shrug out of his grip, but his hands were like steel bands on her arms. "Let me go. I will meet with this client. A lot of money is riding on this."

Seething with anger, Duncan shook her. "Is that what this is about? Money? Is money worth an entire race of people to you, Rose?"

"What are you talking about?" she snapped.

"We are constantly hunted. There are vampire hunter organizations whose entire goal is to wipe out the existence of vampires. The Kendrians are seen as a threat to be eliminated."

She felt blood drain from her face at his comment. "I had no idea," she whispered. Her heart sank at the idea she'd have to give up this client. Still, she fought the idea. "But you could be wrong. He could just be an eccentric man seeking answers."

Duncan's frown remained. "The more humans who learn about us, the higher the risk we take of being exposed on a wide scale. That's why I can't let you give any information to your client. I have no idea what he plans to do with it."

Rose shook her head at the sad realization she wouldn't be able to deliver any information to Mr. Reed. "As much as you think it is, this isn't about the money."

"Then what's it about?" His gaze narrowed.

She didn't want to get too personal again with him, not when he'd looked down at her before.

"It's about fulfilling a dream." She raised her chin a notch to meet his accusing gaze.

"And what dream is that?" His grip loosened as his tone softened.

"It's nothing." She pulled from his grasp and turned her back to him, walking into the living room.

"Rose."

She refused to turn around. When she heard him pulling silverware out of a drawer in the kitchen, tension eased from her body and she relaxed her shoulders.

"Your dinner is served, madam."

She couldn't resist a half smile at Duncan's formal tone as she turned and walked over to the table. Her belly rumbled at the delicious smells and the sight of the chicken breast stuffed with cheese on a bed of tomatoes and mushrooms. "God, it smells wonderful," she said with appreciation as she sat down at the table and picked up her fork.

Once she'd chewed the first mouthwatering bite, she had to compliment him when he sat down at the table across from her. "This is fabulous!" Embarrassment crept in when she realized she'd been so hungry she started without him. Rose gestured to the empty table in front of him. "Aren't you going to eat?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized the man had every right to smack her in the forehead. Duuuuh...he's a vampire! She quickly amended, "Er...or do you eat?"

Duncan stood and retrieved a bottle of wine. Pouring himself a glass of merlot, he answered, "Cooking a pleasurable meal is something I do for another, not myself. Kind of a give and take in my mind."

Rose's heart jerked as she cut another piece of chicken. Did that mean what she thought it meant?

Duncan leaned casually back in his chair and gave her a sexy smile as his gaze lowered to her lips, the look in his eyes hungry, dark, desirous.

"And yes, I can eat, for social reasons. Personally, I'm more of a dessert person."

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at the implication of his words. Was she reading into what he said? When she met his gaze and he smiled, purposefully displaying his fangs, she gasped, not out of fear, but from the knowledge of just how turned on she became at the thought of Duncan biting her. Her heart rate raced out of control and her breathing turned shallow while her breasts suddenly ached for his touch.

She shook her head and set down her fork with a frown, hiding her own desire behind sarcasm. "Great, now don't I feel like the fatted calf whose owner wants to make sure she eats well so his meal will be nice and juicy. I'm very appreciative of the tasty meal, Duncan, but I'm not into sharing."

Duncan's fangs retracted back to normal size and his expression turned serious. "I would never take what you aren't willing to give, Rose. If you know nothing else about me, know that to be true." When he finished speaking, he stood and turned his back to her while he re-corked the wine and put it away.

Rose felt like a real jerk. Standing up, she walked into the kitchen and touched his arm. When Duncan tensed at her touch. she dropped her hand. "I'm sorry, Duncan. I didn't mean to offend you."

She held her breath, waiting for him to respond. How does one go about dealing with a vampire? Were they all this brooding? Once he finally turned his golden eyes to hers, she began to breathe again. "I sincerely apologize."

Duncan regarded her with a steady gaze. He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. "No offense was taken." Nodding toward her plate, he continued, "Now go eat while your food is hot."

Returning to the table, she sat down to eat. After Rose had eaten every single delicious morsel off her plate, she eyed the glass of white wine Duncan started to pour for her with cautious suspicion. "The last time I drank a glass of wine I ended up naked in a vampire's bed," she quipped in a half amused tone.

Duncan raised his eyebrow as he finished pouring the glass. "If I wanted you naked and in my bed, I wouldn't stoop to deception. I'm bluntly honest when it comes to my desires."

Rose resisted a shiver at the sheer intensity of his comment. As he looked down at her glass, she couldn't tell what he was thinking. But based on his earlier actions where he was the one who stopped what they'd started, she honestly believed he had no intention of seducing her.

Now why did that thought bother her? She hadn't imagined the attraction between them. She certainly hadn't imagined that impressive erection he'd pressed against her belly earlier. Then again, he was a man even if he was a vampire.

Picking up her wine, she walked over to the contemporary U-shaped sofa. She settled into the center section of the furniture and ran her hand across the soft taupe-colored chenille cushions, appreciating the contemporary yet warm style. When she leaned back against one of the hunter-green throw pillows, she realized for the first time in as long as she could remember, it bothered her that a man seemed determined not seduce her.

For many years, she'd fended off unwanted advances and would normally welcome such knowledge. But there was something about Duncan...something she couldn't explain that made him different.

While conflicting thoughts tumbled in her head, Rose took in the room around her. The end tables were a dark polished walnut and the matching entertainment center took up an entire wall. Each section in the entertainment center was filled with the latest in high-tech contemporary audio and video equipment. Her gaze scanned the two packed bookcases that covered both side walls then skimmed past the baby grand piano and saxophone sitting in its upright stand. The instruments took up space in a bay window-style area in the far corner of the room.

Duncan turned off the lights in the kitchen and the entire room went black. Rose waited in anticipation as her fingers tightened around her glass of wine. In the dark, the pouring rain outside seemed to echo throughout the room. She jumped when the gas fireplace on the wall across from the couch roared to life. Its orange and blue flames gave the room a warm, cozy glow.

Duncan stood beside the sofa holding his wineglass. Setting his glass down on the end table, he settled on the cushions. Rose kicked off her shoes and put her feet on the couch, scooting back to give him room. She took a sip of her wine and savored the flavor as she swallowed.

He turned and put his arm on the back of the couch, his knee brushing her toes. Nodding toward her, he asked, "How does your neck feel?"

Subconsciously, she tilted her head, then winced. "It's not stinging anymore, but I'm sore."

His golden gaze held hers as he picked up her right foot and began to pull off her sock.

"Hey," she said and tried to pull her foot back.

But Duncan held firm as he removed her sock and tossed it to the floor. "Tog go bog e," he said as he stroked his thumb down the middle of her foot. "This should help to relax your muscles."

Rose froze at the arousing sensations that flooded through her at his touch. When his full palm came in contact with the bottom of her foot, her pulse beat a steadily rising staccato rhythm in her ears.

She gripped her glass tighter when he moved closer, set her foot on his thigh and lifted her left foot. Pulling off the other sock, he gave her other foot the same, attentive treatment.

With the fire warming her and his fingers causing all kinds of tingling, sensual sensations to slam through her, hardening her nipples and making her stomach tense in anticipation, Rose had a hard time holding her glass upright. Before she spilled its contents, she set her glass down on the coffee table.

Seeking a distraction from his arousing touch, she asked, "You said you're a hybrid. Which parent is vampire and which is human?"

He met her curious gaze as he massaged her toes. "Both are vampires. My mother was human when she met my father. She was already pregnant before he converted her to a vampire."

His comment piqued her curiosity further. "Vampires can have children?"

"How else do you think we get here? Hatch out of an egg?"

She lifted an eyebrow at his sarcasm, then shrugged. "I know nothing about your race, Duncan." Which was entirely true, but learning vampires could have children with humans definitely had her mind whirling. What if...

"If you had a child with a human, do you think that child would be able to walk in the light like you?"

Duncan frowned at her question. "I have no idea nor will I ever know since I don't plan to have children."

Disappointment coursed through her. "Why?" she asked before she thought better of it.

Duncan didn't answer her. She could tell by the ticcing in his jaw it wasn't something he cared to discuss. Instead, he dug his fingers deep into the ball of her foot, distracting her. She bit back a moan of sheer pleasure. The man certainly knew how to use his hands. Her gaze lowered to his hands on her foot. He had gorgeous hands, long fingers and broad palms. The pads of his fingers were a little rough, which made her wonder what kind of work he did that would cause them to be that way.

Maybe a more neutral question would be best. "So which side of your heritage do you identify with the most?"

When his hands paused, she jerked her gaze to his to see anger flash through his eyes before he spoke in an even tone, "Neither."

She started to ask him what he meant by his comment, but he tugged on her ankle, causing the question to lodge in her throat. Her body slid down the soft fabric until she was flat on her back.