Free Stolen Rapture by Denyse Bridger Page A

you know it." He looked at Cord with cautious eyes. "I don't think I know you, do I?"
    "No."
    Deluna lifted her hand to cover a spurt of laughter when Dane's expression became one of flustered indignation. He looked to her with pleading eyes and he fidgeted with his jacket, smoothing it unnecessarily.
    "Congratulations on the show, darling," she said to Dane before he could demand answers. "Cord and I are heading out now. I've left a list of what I'd like for the shoot tomorrow. Ciao, caro!" She blew a kiss as she grabbed Cord's arm and steered him to the nearest exit.
    She laughed when they made it into the cool evening air. He leaned against the side of the building and watched her, amusement evident in the curve of his smile.
    "Are we really having dinner together, or was that just your escape route?"
    Containing her mirth, she grinned and nodded. "I'd love to have dinner with you, Mr. Vincente."
    He rolled his eyes and the sheer beauty of his dual-color of his gaze hypnotized her for endless moments.
    "Cord, please. If we're going to have dinner and you're going to use me to get away from other men, we should at least be on a first name basis, Deluna."
    She stared at him for a moment, measuring his words, and how serious they might really be. He had an edge to him, part of what made him so alluring, but all she saw now was real humor.
    "I know a lovely Italian place not far from here, how's that sound to you?" She smiled, adding, "And, since I've used you to help me get away, I'll buy."
    "My car's over here," he said, taking her by the arm, "and it won't be necessary for you to buy dinner."
    The amusement was gone, and she swallowed the wise-ass remark that had sprung to her lips.
    * * * * *
    "So, what is it this woman does again?" Rahve asked with little real interest, but considerable amusement. Cord had been distracted for a week or more, since Rahve had sent him to the Grayson show. Cord glared at him and he laughed at the irritation in the other man's expression. Rahve shrugged and turned his attention back to the figures in front of him.
    "We need to come up with something truly spectacular for the new line," Rahve murmured as he rapidly read the accounting figures, his agile brain processing numbers as quickly as the machine in front of him.
    "Are you worried?"
    Rahve's smile was sardonic. "Are you?"
    "I want to design something for Deluna's next show."
    Rahve sat back in his chair and eyed the younger man. "Tell me about her."
    It wasn't a request and they both knew it.
    "Why don't you come with me and you can judge for yourself?" Challenge hung between them for a few minutes, then Rahve shrugged and rose from his seat. Cord was startled for about a heartbeat of time. He stood and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair. "Have dinner with us."
    Rahve's smile was contemptuous. "She doesn't know what you are, does she?"
    "She knows everything she needs to know."
    Scornful laughter lit Rahve's predatory eyes. "I haven't met a human yet who is that accepting of us, so I'll assume she doesn't know it's her blood you're lusting after more than her cunt."
    "Stay away from her," Cord warned, "I'll tell her when I want her to know."
    "You invited me to dinner," Rahve reminded him, laughter in his tone, "so let's go."
    "I've changed my mind."
    Rahve ignored his remark.
    "What are you going to do if she falls for me?" Rahve asked as they headed for the parking garage under the Falcon's Flight office building.
    "Kill your ass," Cord quipped. It was an old game, one he hated. Over the years, he'd lost more than one woman to Rahve's charm and power.
    "Address?" Rahve asked when he'd stopped laughing.
    Cord gave it to him and while he watched Rahve walk to his Ferrari, he wondered if Deluna would fall for him. Falcon had a remarkable effect on women, and she wasn't likely to be any more immune than most others. Rahve was an impressive male, six foot three, dark blond hair that was cut neat and stylish. He was built like a