Free Enticed By Blood: A Sweetblood World Vampire Romance by Laurie London Page A

secure her father’s retirement.
    If her father hadn’t taken ill, he’d have flown down and handled things himself, so when he asked her to take his place and smooth things over, what could she say? Tell him to send his alcoholic business partner? Or that she couldn’t because she’d banged the customer, a married man who had lied to her?
    So she’d sucked up her pride said yes.
    “Let me check for you,” the hostess said, jerking Juliette’s thoughts back to the present. “What is the name on the reservation?”
    Juliette lifted her hair, hoping a cool breeze would be kind enough to find its way to the back of her neck, but the air was stagnant. “Andre Lescarbeau.”
    The woman looked up without consulting the book. “Mr. Lescarbeau?”
    “You know him?” Juliette asked. He must come here a lot.
    “He owns Cafe Sur La Rue. Would you like to wait in the bar for him? I’ll have Jeffrey grab your things.”
    He owns this place?
    Juliette glanced around again. Tiny lights were strung in the overhead branches of the courtyard and twinkled against the dark sky. The wrought iron gates and railings were exquisitely ornate. The atmosphere was dripping with Old World charm. Just like Andre.
    Had he chosen his restaurant because he wanted to seduce her again on his turf? Well, she was smarter now. And much more informed. She wouldn’t sleep with him again if he were the last human male on the planet.
    “Yes. That would be—”
    “Juliette.”
    The sound slid down her spine like melted chocolate. She’d told herself she wouldn’t let him affect her like this.
    Remember. He’s married. You’re only here because Dad asked you.
    Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him and her heart nearly stopped. Although she hadn’t forgotten how hot he was, time had a way of blurring the specifics.
    His dark hair was tousled and he had a slight scruff on his jaw, making him look as if he’d just rolled out of bed. He wore a Mad Men inspired light gray suit, impeccably tailored to accentuate his broad, powerful shoulders and narrow waist. With no tie and camel-colored Italian shoes, he had an air of casual elegance. A man like him would be equally at home dining in the fanciest hotels or walking between rows of grapevines in a vineyard.
    “Andre,” she said, curtly, trying to ignore the urge to offer him her hand.
    She didn’t want to make any physical contact with him. There’d been something strangely magical about his touch, so she needed to avoid it at all costs.
    “Will your wife be joining us?”

Chapter 2
    M y wife will not be joining us,” Andre said, ignoring the look on the hostess’s face. “I trust you had a good flight, no?”
    Juliette nodded and reached for her things. He brushed her hand aside and grabbed the briefcase.
    “What do you have in here?” He chuckled. “Bricks?”
    She didn’t smile. It didn’t surprise him. American women had long memories, and she’d once been in love with him.
    As they were led to his regular table, he couldn’t help but notice the way her light blue skirt clung to her hips. Her legs were long and shapely in those heels, too. And unfortunately, he remembered all too well how it felt to have them wrapped around his waist.
    They’d been flirting all night at a New Year’s Eve party and had shared a passionate kiss at midnight. When he got her up to his suite, he couldn’t contain himself any longer. With the door barely shut behind them, he pushed her against the wall, dropped his trousers, shoved her thong aside, and thrust into her.
    Mon Dieu. The sweet moaning sounds she’d made had nearly driven him mad with desire.
    With little warning, his dark nature took over. Normally, he had better control than that. His fangs emerged from his gums and as he climaxed, he sank them into her vein. She gasped, of course, digging her nails into his back as he drank. “Shhh, ma cherie ,” he whispered, projecting soothing thoughts into her mind. “ Un peu plus