Vampire King of New York Read Free Page B

dropped open at the realization. She blinked.
    “Is there a problem?”
    “No.” She was baffled by the amused look on his face.
    “Am I too old?”
    She laughed. “No.” Evelyn felt the burn on her cheeks. “I wouldn’t know in vampire terms. I guess age might show in behavior, and I don’t know you well enough to tell from that.”
    “What do you mean by my behavior?”
    “Oh, God, I’m just a mess with words right now.” Her hands covered her cheeks as they burned hotter.
    “I always say, when words are a mess …” He stood and held out his hand. “Dance instead.”
    She hadn’t realized the band was playing. How could she have missed seeing them come in and set up on the small stage?
    Taking her hand, he led her onto the dance floor. The song was slow. Funny how she didn’t notice what was playing, only how tall Max was, and the way he enfolded her into his arms as they glided between the partners.
    “You dance very well,” she said.
    “I’ve had lots of practice. At least a thousand years.” He smiled, and she wondered if he ever had a beard. A golden beard would suit him very well, besides she was partial to beards.
    “Now you’re teasing me.”
    They both laughed.
    She felt comfortable leaning against him, and he must have sensed it. He held her closer as they swayed to the music.
    “Max, I don’t mean to be rude to you.”

    “I know that. It’s only human for you to be curious. I don’t mind your questions at all. Ask me anything.”
    She gazed up into the most remarkable pale, blue-gray eyes. “What were you when you were a human?”
    “I was a Viking raider, the captain of a long boat.”
    “Do you still remember it?”
    “Yes, fondly. My Viking life was very happy.”
    “All the plundering and pillaging, huh?” Of course, she was breaching some vampire etiquette again, but she didn’t care.
    Max only laughed and continued. “Actually it was my family that made me happy. I lost them when I became a vampire.” In that one instant his eyes changed, as if seeing into the past. The expression on his face was beyond pain, and Evelyn regretted having brought the subject up.
    “I’m very sorry.”
    “You have nothing to apologize for, Evelyn. Sometimes in order to have great joy, one must survive great pain. In other times, we don’t fully realize the joy we have until we lose it. It was a life well lived and filled with love.”
    The band music ended, but the music in her heart had just begun. Max ignited something deep within her. His presence, his touch, his gaze held her spellbound.
    “Max, are you trying to mesmerize me?” she asked, while he escorted her back to her seat.
    “I would not do that to you, Evelyn.” He held her chair for her, while she was seated.
    “Thank you.”
    He grinned. “You’re welcome, and thank you for the dance.”
    There it was again. Something warm rushed over her in luscious waves. “You’re welcome, too.” She shook her head and laughed. “Sometimes words …”
    He turned to her and was about to speak when the waiter appeared again.
    “Dessert? Coffee for everyone?”

    “Not for us, thank you,” David said. Laura leaned against him.
    Evelyn loved how happy her sister was. Though she didn’t tell Laura, it was another reason for her return to Connecticut. Evelyn wanted a life of her own, maybe even a love.
    “I’m having the Baked Alaska,” Max said. “Evelyn, you?”
    “Oh, no. That’s a big dessert. I’ll have a dish of vanilla ice cream.”
    The waiter smiled and was off again.
    “I’m trying to lose weight,” Evelyn admitted.
    “I don’t see why.” Max’s words were reassuring. When the waiter came with the desserts, she marveled at the difference between them. Max’s dish was almost overwhelmed by the meringue, sponge cake, and ice cream concoction.
    “Would you like just a taste of my Baked Alaska?” Max asked Evelyn. It did look divine, and her dish of ice cream looked very small.
    “Okay.”
    He handed