“I’m a living example of the power you have over men.” He moved his head much closer to hers.

“Shall we get out of here before you cause some sort of disturbance?” Her giggles were refreshing.

He laughed and pulled her out of her seat. “Where do you want to go?”

“How about we’ll just go with your plans? You did have something else planned, didn’t you?”

Undressing her in the next dark corner was the plan.

“What if you don’t like what I’ve planned?” He was enjoying teasing her.

“Try me.”

As in taste? In a heartbeat.

Samson licked his lower lip. There was a hell of a lot of things he wanted to try, and tasting her was just the beginning. “I think I will. No. Scratch that. I know I will.”

With his arm around her waist, he led her to the stairway. The theater had almost emptied, and they were the last ones to walk down the broad staircase leading to one of the side exits. The sound her high heels made on the stairs echoed through the air.

They were alone. He could press her against the wall and take her right there in the stairwell. Her moans would echo through the empty space, bounce off the walls, the sound amplified. But it would be over too soon. No, he had to distract himself and get her to his house where he could keep her all night.

“Why do women torture themselves and wear high heels like that?” Samson was certain his voice was colored with pure lust.

“Because women don’t like to be short.”

He chuckled. “It’s called petite. And men like petite women. Brings out the protective instinct in them.”

She playfully punched him. His abs were rock hard. He laughed to cover up his true feelings; did she have any idea what her touch did to him, and how close his control was to snapping?

“If you want to wrestle, it can be arranged. But I have to caution you, I don’t give up easily.”

And with you, I’ll wrestle naked.

“Neither do I.”

“That should make for an interesting match.” The hot look he gave her was sure to tell her just how interesting a little naked wrestling match between them would be. And what the winner would get.

“Place your bets.”

“My money is on the girl.”

“How come?” She seemed utterly surprised at his choice.

“I know the guy’s weakness.” He winked at her.

They stepped out into the street. The stairs had led them out of a side exit into a small alley. Samson could see the main street a short distance ahead of them.

“Watch out for the puddles,” he cautioned and navigated her around a large pool of water left by the rain from the previous day.

“What? You mean you’re not going to throw down your coat and let me step over it?”

He loved the way she relaxed him with her lighthearted jokes.

“Saville Row, sweetness. I don’t think my tailor is going to appreciate it if he finds out.”

Samson turned her toward him and pulled her into his arms. “So, is that what you’re looking for, an old-fashioned Prince Charming?” Delilah had no idea how old-fashioned he truly was, or how old for that matter.

“I don’t know what I’m looking for.” Her voice trembled. Her face was still flushed, but he doubted it had anything to do with the heat in the theater. Her smile was gone from her face, and her gaze collided with his.

“Try me.” Slowly he lowered his head and approached her mouth. Her parted lips beckoned with the promise of pleasures his body was craving. He needed that kiss, and he needed it now.

“You two, against the wall!” a menacing male voice cut through the silence and destroyed the moment. Somebody would have to pay for this.

With lightning speed, Samson jerked his head in the direction the voice originated and stared at a big thug and the nozzle of a handgun. He felt Delilah shudder in his arms and protectively held her closer. The heat of her body seeped into his, and despite the dangerous situation, he allowed himself to enjoy her closeness.

Samson knew he had to act fast, and he couldn’t use his vampire speed or fangs to defeat the assailant. He wouldn’t allow anything to destroy the evening he’d planned with the woman in his arms. He couldn’t risk for her being frightened or suspect that anything about him wasn’t quite what it seemed to be. His secret had to be guarded.

“Didn’t you hear what I said? You, against the wall!” the thug repeated. “I want the girl, now!”

Samson instantly realized that their attacker was human and therefore easily controlled. Delilah gasped, and his hand went to her head to pull her face into his chest.