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In Ari’s opinion, Claris was the stunner, and it showed in Brando’s wide grin when he caught sight of her Five feet eight, three inches taller than Ari, with long legs and a y body, Claris was elegant in silvery-blue silk Even Hernando ca cornflower eyes
"If I had knoe ht off the co dark Hides the blood better," Steffan quipped That ht have been an odd coht was the leader of the local olves Not that he looked like a rough and tough guy Steffan was a cool, self-confident redhead with an infectious personality Ari had known hiic Council They hadn’t dated until six ress beyond a good friendship
"You won’t have to exert yourselves or dirty your pretty clothes," Ari teased, grinning at Steffan and trying to get in the spirit of things "Anyone causes trouble, I’ll give theer
"That’s enough, you two There will be no fighting or evil-eyeing of any kind," Claris said withabout blood This is a social evening"
Although she’d ht of it, Ari wondered, not for the first ti out with three Otherworlders Her friend was gentle and naive inshop she ran reflected her basic personality--restful, spiritual Claris wasn’t a risk taker, but her loyalty was boundless, and she’d stand fast if ever needed Good traits, Ari thought They’d ht, she gave a quick glance toward Brando, wondering if he’d given the mom-potential any consideration He’d been Claris’s honey about a year, but the relationship still seee and a scientist by choice, Brando was often absorbed in his work, leaving little time for romance As if he sensed her scrutiny, Brando turned to look at her, his shock of brown hair fashionably tousled, his gaze twinkling as if they shared soo to this thing, she couldn’t be in better company
The auditorium of the Arts Center was packed The annual Charity Auction always drew a large crowd, not only of bidders but those who caest community events of the year For an exorbitant entrance price, each person earned the right to free appetizers and wine and the opportunity to bid on a lot of things he didn’t need Ari ran a cynical eye over the merchandise And, in her case, many iteranny vase with a starting bid of 3,000 Of course, she could just ogle at all the rich and fa around at the crowd, Ari estilers than bidders, but the auction always oal
The two couples dutifully filed past the tables and viewed the choices in the silent auction Brando kept up a running conized Steffan placed a bid on a case of wine but was irinned at Ari, shrugged, and they ne dinner for two fro on that Claris’s attempt to hurry theht a frown to Ari’s face Like she wouldn’t notice Apparently, Claris wasn’t convinced the past was in the past
Ari’s frown deepened She knew she had been a little touchy on the subject of Andreas and his club Unbidden, a series of scenes flashed through her head: strong ar on stage, the crowd captivated; the sa Chianti; a forbidden kiss Ari deterhly selective s--and there were so smile at Claris and turned her attention to the next itehts had conjured it, a surge of Otherworld power touched her Vampire And not just any vaing in recognition as the air shiy She whipped her head around, focused on the front entry, and there he was
Andreas’s dark eyes captured hers froht, and like always, that co, irresistible She barely registered the presence of the other vampires with hiht in his gaze As suddenly as it ca a void Andreas turned away and said so to the woman at his side His companion laid a possessive hand on his arht ht her reaction to him would be diminished She’d be the last one to deny Andreas De Luca was heartbreakingly attractive, despite being one of the undead That still didn’t explain his al effect on her Or her recent ho-hum attitude toward other men
Ari’s companions turned to see what had drawn her attention Upon catching sight of the new arrivals, Claris’s gaze darted to her friend’s face Claris knew every detail of the shattered relationship, including the violent death that brought it to an abrupt end Claris’s face registered instant dis
"Isn’t that Andreas? And Prince Daron?" Steffan asked, seeroup He’d ether on a case last fall Steffan hadn’t known much about the stormy relationship between Ari and Andreas, and she’d never told his ended
Ari pulled a smile froht" She made an effort to keep it casual and was relieved how steady her voice sounded Nothing like how she felt The butterflies in her stoainst the walls