NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul by Anastacia Kelley Page A

“It’s ten after eleven.”
    Simone looked around but didn’t see the man named Van any where. A sudden chill went through h er body. She felt her back heat pleasantly. She could sense eyes looking straight at her. She turned around. Nothing.
    Strange. She’s never experienced this feeling before.
    “Indea? Do you see him? I’ve looked around twice. I can’t find any one who fits Michael’s description of Van.”
    “No. As a matter of fact, I haven’t seen him.” She shrugged her shoulders. “He mi ght not show tonight, Simone,” she informed her sympathetically. “Sorry.”
    Simone sighed. “Oh, well. Maybe some other time, I guess.” She didn’t know why it seemed that important to meet this Van, but for some reason, it was.
    They decided on one more round of drinks and possibly hitting the dance floor a couple more times. It was still early yet. The music was playing just as strong as it had been when they had first arrived over three hours ago.
    Indea jumped off her stool. “I’m heading to the restro om. Gotta freshen up. Be back in a few.” Indea swayed her hips all the way to the ladies’ room.
    Simone chuckled. That girl. She had male heads turning. Especially Michael’s .
    All but one, that is, Simone noticed. She had to do a double take. That familiar chill ran up and down her entire body once more. In the corner, she was sure, sat that guy Michael was talking about: Van. He seemed to be looking at his table. Without moving his head, his eyes moved upwards, zoning in on Simone. His penetrating stare seemed to burn into her very core. Her mouth agape, she sucked in a huge breath. His eyes hit her like a heated typhoon. He was a dark and brooding character but his eyes were not. They we re gray. They were a lmost an incandescent gray. The intensity of his stare took her breath away. All of a sudden, the world seemed to stop. She couldn’t hear the loud music playing. She couldn’t see the people dancing. She only saw him. Her heart started beat ing rapidly. Her mouth felt like the Sahara. She blinked. Her head started spinning until she realized she was holding her breath.
    He was dressed in a black coat with flat golden buttons that resembled coins. It looked like it was handmade in another time. The inside, she couldn’t make out because of the lighting in the club. His dark hair touched the nape of his neck and was combed back, showing off the strong features of his handsome face.
    Simone wanted to go over there and tell him what a wonderful club he had and that this was her first time in Paris. Now, she had s econd thoughts on the matter, w hich surprised her. This was the first time a man’s ever intimidated her. The first time she didn’t know how to approach a man or what in the world to tell him. She was at a complete loss for words. She wasn’t scared of him. No, that wasn’t it at all. It was that he exuded this pure potent male sensuality it nearly knocked her off her seat . She was being ridiculous, she knew. She should gather her courage and confidently stroll over there like he was any other man and just tell him. She was sure he wouldn’t bite.
    She reminded herself not to judge a book by its cover. Dark and brooding on the outside doesn’t necessa rily reflect what’s going on inside.
    Oh , he was sexy. Simone couldn’t take her eyes off of him. She’d never seen a face so perfect, so flawless. It wasn’t fair for him to be both sexy and beautiful at the same time. He could very well be the sexiest man on the planet. He easily looked better than every other man in this room. The women, too, now that she thought of it.
    No, it certainly wasn’t fair.
    They continued their silent perusal of one another until Simone felt a jar.
    “Earth to Simone. Hey, Simone? I’ve called your name a half a dozen times. What’s going on?” Indea furrowed her brows and frowned slightly, that is, until she saw who Simone was staring at. “Whoa! No wonder you didn’t hear