Free Redemption by Erica Stevens Page B

Though she tried, she couldn't force her gaze away from his as he observed her from the shadows. There seemed to be some sort of inner glow within the pewter colored eyes focused upon her. For the first time in her life she found herself thinking that she should have worn a better dress or done something with her hair other than brushing it. She fought against the urge to play with the high collar of the plain blue dress. She was uncomfortably aware of the fact that a few areas on the lower part of her skirt had become nearly see through over the years.
    The store around her seemed to fade away as every molecule within her became focused on him. In that instant she craved nothing more than to be the shadows sliding over his body as he rested his arm on the rack and leisurely leaned against it. Her fingers curled into her skirt as the longing to touch him began to take her over.
    She didn't understand why he was staring at her like that though. He was a prince; she was a simple vampire, and a flawed one at that. Hannah wasn't oblivious to the fact that others thought she was beautiful; Calvin had started making that excessively clear when she'd reached maturity. She was certain this man had seen many beautiful women over the years though, and they probably hadn't worked in a tavern, in a town that most didn't even know existed.
    "Hannah! It's so good to see you." She reluctantly tore her attention away from Jack as Kara stepped out from behind the front counter. Hannah had become so focused on Jack when she'd entered that she hadn't even noticed William leaning against the counter by Kara. "I have those shoes for you," Kara continued.
    Hannah managed a smile as she forced herself not to look at the predator to the left of her again. She knew that's exactly what he was too, a predator, and for some reason he was hunting her. The distant tick of the clock from the back of the store sounded as loud as hoof beats in her ears as Kara went to retrieve the shoes Hannah had brought in for repair last week.
    Unable to resist anymore, her eyes slid toward Jack as he stepped away from the rack. It didn't make her feel any better that she gulped while a smile tugged at the corners of his thick upper lip. Heat crept through her body everywhere that his eyes touched upon. She'd never thought it was possible to feel this excited and uncertain of someone as his gaze came back to hers.
    "Here you go." She almost jumped out of her skin when Kara thrust her shoes at her. She'd been so focused on him that she hadn't realized Kara had returned.
    Her fingers were stiff as she took hold of the shoes. "Thank you. How much do I owe you?"
    "I'll take a dinner tonight for me and mom."
    Hannah smiled and nodded. "That can certainly be done."
    She rigidly turned away from Jack and hurried toward the front door. She was eager to escape the suddenly cramped store. The crisp air was refreshing against her overheated skin as she stepped onto the sidewalk and hurried away. Things were going to start picking up at the tavern soon and she would be needed to help, but she still had one more stop to make before she returned.
    A jolt, like the one she got from rubbing her feet on a carpet and then touching something metal, went through her as a warm hand slid around her elbow. She didn't have to see him to know who was touching her. Her body instinctively reacted to his and though she'd had no thoughts of doing so she found herself swaying toward him.
    He gave her a crooked grin that revealed an endearing dimple in his right cheek as she tilted her head back to look at him. "I thought I'd walk back with you."
    The words were spoken in a gravelly tone of voice that made her belly feel as if it had a dozen hummingbirds flitting around in it. What was wrong with her? She'd been around plenty of men in her life; she'd grown up in a tavern for crying out loud. She'd even seen men as good looking as he was, or almost as good looking anyway. Calvin was exceptionally