I Bung off the covers and paddled into the oversized bathroom, enjoying the luxurious shower alone and spending a whole lot more time than necessary simply standing under the water, letting the jets massage my skin and warm my body.

When the water finally started to cool, I stepped out. Once I'd dried myself, I went to search for clothes. And discovered several dresses and skirts hanging up in the wardrobe. Rhoan had obviously gone shopping, because everything was new, even the shoes. I frowned, hoping he hadn't blown our entire savings account. Rhoan and shopping were always a dangerous combination, and he'd overspent and landed us in trouble come rent time more than once.

Seeing the day was so warm, I picked out a flowing white cotton dress that had shoestring straps, a low back, and a hem that swirled almost indecently around my thighs. After slipping my feet into a pair of cute red and white sandals—complete with a wooden stiletto heel, which had certainly come in handy a few times in the past when I'd been caught in situations that required something more persuasive than a mere fist, but less deadly than a werewolf's teeth—I headed out to find the kitchen, Quinn, and my brother.

I found Quinn sitting in the living room, reading the newspaper. His gaze was a caress that slid down my body, and one that had me hot and bothered in an instant. God, what was it about this vampire that could get to me so easily? Okay, he was gorgeous, he was rich, and any woman with half a brain would fuck him in an instant—but there was something else between us. Something deeper.

His gaze slid back up to my hair. "You've cut it."

I nodded, surprised he hadn't noticed earlier. "Yeah. Summer's coming on, and shoulder length is easier to manage."

"It suits you."

"Thanks." I walked into the kitchen, and smelled the caffeine before I found it. "You want a coffee?"

"Yes, thanks."

I poured two then headed back out, handing him a cup before moving over to the window. Ten floors up had my stomach stirring uneasily, but I was careful not to get too close to the edge. If I couldn't see the drop, I'd be okay. Port Phillip Bay stretched out before me, filled with whitecaps that moseyed toward the shore. But given the way the trees tossed, those gentle waves were no indication of the wind's strength. I watched a beach umbrella tumble along the yellow sand, then turned and asked, "Where's Rhoan?"

"He had to go into the Directorate to chase down some files for Jack."

"Then Jack and Kade aren't back yet?"

"No."

I wondered if that was a good sign or a bad sign. Wondered if they'd uncovered anything useful in that place. Somehow, I was doubting this. This whole operation just seemed too slickly run for clues to be left behind haphazardly.

"Any idea how long we're going to be cooped up here?"

He shook his head and folded the newspaper one-handed. "No. Could be a while from the sound of it." His voice was as polite as mine, but his gaze kept slipping down my body and his hunger stirred the air. Hunger that was both sexual and blood need.

"Have you eaten lately?" I asked sharply.

He hesitated. "No."

"Why not?"

He raised an eyebrow. "What does it matter to you?"

"It matters because I can feel your need to eat."

He shrugged. "There's synth blood in the fridge. That'll do for a while."

"In the long run, you can't survive on synth blood."

"No. When that happens, I shall go seduce someone."

Oh yeah. I'd forgotten he only took blood while making love. "Don't leave it to the last second."

He studied me for a moment, then said in a neutral voice, "I have lived more years than I care to remember as a vampire. I don't need a pretty pup telling me what I should be doing."

"This pup was only showing a little concern." I turned away. "I should have known better."

He was silent for a while, but his gaze burned into my back, and slithers of awareness scattered across my skin.

"Can I ask a question?"

"What?" I kept my voice as flat as his.

"Are you wearing any knickers under that dress?"

I almost choked on my coffee. Of all the things I'd been expecting him to ask, it wasn't that. "That's for me to know, and you to wonder."

"Well, I'm certainly wondering. And in case you're wondering, that dress is practically see-through when lit by sunlight."

I hid my smile and walked over to the sofa. "Sorry if the view is annoying you."

He gave me his vampire face, but underneath, frustration reigned. I could feel it, even if I couldn't see it.

"Why are you determined to take everything I say the wrong way?"

"Perhaps it has something to do with being a little pissed off at you." I grabbed the newspaper as I sat down.

"When you've stopped being pissed off, are you actually going to listen to what I have to say?"

"I don't know." I unfolded the paper. "Maybe."

"And when might that be?"

I shrugged. "Let's see—I spent a good month trying to talk to you and getting rejected. So I think a month would be fair payback."

"And here I was thinking bitchiness was beyond you."

"In case you are forgetting, I was born a bitch."

My gaze caught the front page banner, and I almost had a heart failure when I saw the date.

"It's Friday?" I asked, looking at the time. It was nearly two-thirty.

"Yes." He frowned. "Why?"

"I slept a whole day?" I stared at him in disbelief.

A smile touched the corners of his dark eyes. "Yes, you did."

"Shit." I ran a hand through my hair. "I have a doctor's appointment at four."

He frowned. "Rhoan never mentioned it."

"Rhoan never knew about it. I made the appointment the day of the accident." I surged to my feet. "Wonder if he thought to retrieve my handbag and wallet from the car wreck?"

"You can't go to this appointment," Quinn said, following me into the bedroom.

"You try and stop me, and you'll regret it."

He crossed his arms, and leaned against the doorframe. And even though I was hunting around for my handbag, I was acutely aware of his presence. Of the tightness of the jade shirtsleeves against his forearms. The way his khakis defined his hips and groin.

"What is so important about it that it cannot wait until it's safe to venture out?"

"That is none of your business." I found my wallet, but no handbag. Not that it mattered. All I needed was my credit and insurance cards.

I walked back to the door, but Quinn didn't move.

"Get out of my way."

"You can't go out alone. At least let me come with you."

I didn't want Quinn there. Didn't want anyone there. Not when this might be the very worst news I'd ever hear. "I'll be all—"

"No." His voice was cold. Determined. "Not alone. I either escort you there and back, or you remain here."

"Escort, not come in."

He nodded, and moved aside. I walked into the living room and scrawled a note for Rhoan. "What time is he due back?"

"He wasn't sure. Could be late." Keys jangled behind me. "He left us a Merc in case we needed it."

When the Directorate had personnel go under safe cover, they obviously didn't do it by halves. "Fine. Let's go, then."

We took the lift down to the basement, and walked across to the penthouse parking bay. Quinn did the gentlemanly thing and opened the door, ushering me inside before climbing into the driver's side.

For a good ten minutes, he didn't say anything. I stared out the window, thinking about the future, and hoping like hell I actually had something decent to look forward to.

"What is the appointment for?" he asked, eventually.

"As I said, that's none of your business."

"Are you ill?"

I snorted softly. Part of me wished I was ill. It would be better than probably being sterile. "No."

"Then why a specialist?"