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

me.”
    Simone blinked rapidly. “What? Oh, hey, Indea. Did you say something?”
    Indea cocked her left eyebrow. “He’s already gotten you tongue-tied and you haven’t even traded pleasantries yet.” She studied the man. “Though, I can’t say that I blame you. I’d be d oing just about the same thing if I were you.”
    “Yeah.” Simone shook her head slightly. She finally noticed the music playing and the dancers on the dance floor.
    Funny how he made everything mute for a moment. A moment? How long were they staring at each other? Confusing and men were usually never in the same sentence. Simone let out a whoosh of air.
    Indea gave Simone a little nu dge. “Well. Go talk to him,” she cajoled. “He seems to only have eyes for you.”
    Simone again looked at Van. He smiled at her and her heart nearly stopped in shock. Oh, my. Hot. Hot! HOT! Chiseled jaw. Smooth skin. Plump lips. His whole face lit up when he smiled. He had dimples on both cheeks. His gray eyes seemed to glow when his smile cracked his rather brooding look. Talk about night and day. Even though, he is still sexy either way. His intense look seemed to melt completely away when his lips curved into a genuine smile.
    “What are you waiting for? This is Van, is it not?” Indea asked.
    “Yes.” Simone continued looking at Van. He gave her a hard, salacious stare as he crooked his index finger. He was inviting her over! She sucked in a breath and got off her seat.
    Indea whispered in Simone’s ear. “Go get’em, tiger. Grrr.”
    Simone held her chin up and made her way across the dance floor.
    She reached his table. Oh, my. He’s even sexier up close. “Hello.” Her voice cracked a little. She cleared her throat and tried again, much to her horror. She reached out her hand. “Hello. I’m Simone. Are you Van, by any chance?”
    “Yes. I am Van Pirone. Welcome, Simone, to my club.” He took her hand softly. His mere touch made her body tingle.
    Was this the zing Indea was talking about? Wait a minute. She just met the guy for Pete’s sake. She didn’t know him from Adam. How could it be possible?
    And his voice? It could melt a glacier in winter. It was deep and throaty. So masculine, it commanded attention. Even though he was wearing that brocaded coat, she could tell he had a body built for sinful thoughts.
    Van let go of her hand, leaving it cold. He motioned to a chair opposite him. “Please. Sit down.”
    Simone sat across from Van. Comfortable in his silence, he waited for Simone to continue.
    She cleared her throat yet again. She laced her fingers together and placed them on the table in front of her. “Your place is absolutely breathtaking, Mr. Pirone .”
    “Thank you, Simone. But, please, call me Van.”
    I’ll call you anything you want me to, she thought mischievously before she could stop herself.
    Van raised his eyebrows , grinning roguishly, but said nothing.
    Were her eyes giving her away or something? She didn’t say anything out loud. Did she? He was staring at her so passionately she forgot her vocabulary. She darted her gaze elsewhere, hoping to find her voice. What did he say? Call him Van? Oh, yes. That was it.
    “Okay,” she spoke finally. “Van.”
    The way she said his name flowed over him like warm honey and settled in his black jeans.
    “So. Tell me a little about yourself. Your accent has a hint of Irish, yes ? ” he pointed out. He pretty much knew all about Simone Timms. No, she didn’t need to give her last name. Her father abandoned her halfway out of her mother’s womb. He could think of a few choice words to say to Simone’s father. Somehow, he knew it still would not sit well with her, regardless if her father left her and her mother. He was still her father and probably wouldn’t take kindly to a stranger’s meddling.
    Fatherless or not, she grew up well. He observed her. She was a gorgeous specimen of a woman. Long, flowing red tresses. Large, apple seed shaped eyes, glowing with bits