Lover's Bite by MAGGIE SHAYNE

was, Topaz sensed, the end of the conversation. She would get no more information from Rebecca tonight. She got to her feet, and Jack rose with her. “Thank you,” she said simply.
    â€œIt was a pleasure meeting you,” Jack added. He reached out to take Topaz’s arm, then stopped himself, she noted, just before making contact. He really was trying to live up to his end of their bargain. It was slightly amazing to her. He was actually trying to keep his word.
    They walked around the house, through the backyard and out to the front, where Jack had parked the Porsche. Topaz didn’t say a thing until they got in. And then she said disbelievingly, “I can’t believe she knew who I was just by looking at me.”
    He started the engine but didn’t put the car in gear. Instead, he turned in his seat to look at her. “Well, her eyesight clearly hasn’t gone the way of her memory.”
    â€œBut I don’t look anything like Mirabella.”
    He laughed. Just a soft sound, very short and more surprised than amused.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou look a lot like her, Topaz. You have the same bone structure, the same high cheekbones and delicate, angular jaw. The same little nose, the same full, sexy lips. Same milk-chocolate-brown eyes and thick lashes. Her skin tone was a little darker, her hair, too, but beyond that…”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous. My mother was called the most beautiful woman alive.”
    â€œYeah,” Jack said with a firm nod, then put the car into gear and began to drive. “Exactly.”
    She shot him a look, but his face was unreadable. He focused on the road, not looking at her, intent on his driving, as if it were some challenging task that took every bit of his concentration.
    â€œWhat are you trying to pull, Jack?” she asked softly.
    He frowned, sending her a quick glance. “What do you mean?”
    â€œDo you think flattering me is going to get you back into my good graces? Or my wallet?”
    â€œI’d settle for back into your bed, but—”
    â€œYou never said shit like that when we were dating.”
    He shrugged. “I didn’t want you to get a swollen head. And maybe I was thinking like those men of your mother’s. If you knew how beautiful you were, why wouldn’t you go out and find someone a hell of a lot better than me? I sure didn’t want to encourage that.”
    â€œNo. At least not until you got what you were after.”
    He sighed, his head falling forward briefly. If she hadn’t known better, she might have thought she’d hurt him, just a little.
    But that was impossible, of course.
    You couldn’t hurt someone unless they cared, and she knew all too well that Jack didn’t. He never had.
    That thought hurt a little too much, so she distracted herself by picking up her phone, glancing at the time and dialing Reaper’s cell.
    He picked up on the first ring. “Topaz?”
    â€œYeah, it’s me,” she said. “How is it going? Are you still in Virginia Beach?”
    â€œNo, we’re already moving on. Still heading north. I’ll let you know where we decide to hole up next when we get there. How are things with you?”
    â€œFine. Everything’s fine. The others?”
    â€œRoxy and Ilyana are at Roxy’s place.”
    â€œReally? Interesting. You think Ilyana will open up to her at all?”
    â€œIf anyone can get her talking, it’ll be Roxy.”
    â€œShe has secrets, that one,” Topaz said. “How about Seth and Vixen?”
    â€œThey haven’t checked in yet,” Reaper told her. “Have you, um…Have you heard from Jack?”
    She hesitated and glanced Jack’s way. She got the immediate impression that he was listening closely to her conversation. He wouldn’t have any trouble hearing Reaper’s end, given all vampires’ heightened senses. “Actually, he’s here with