Dane cast a look of disdain at the passed-out form of his latest conquest. She’d be none too happy when she woke up, but it was all in a day’s work for an incubus. His existence could only continue through feeding off the sexual energies of his prey.

He slipped out of the model’s apartment and headed out to the noisy city sidewalk.

Refreshed and energized from his exploits with the blonde beauty, he smiled into the eyes of every woman he passed on the crowded street. He reveled in the fact that the effects of his gaze were instant, that no matter how involved or unavailable they were, all of them craved his sensuous touch. His smile, combined with his smooth voice, stopped women in their tracks. He could have any one he wanted, but then he caught the eye of one delicious looking young lady hurrying along the sidewalk.

Thinking of the best way to approach her, he used an old faithful technique of pretending to look the other way and accidentally bump into her.

“Pardon me, I didn’t see you there.” He steadied the mousy young woman with his hands.

“It’s…it’s fine,” she replied, reaching for the book she dropped even as Dane picked it up and handed it to her.

For an instant, their eyes met, and the incubus smiled. Haven’t had her type in a while.

She pushed up her glasses and turned away, but he caught up to her. “Wait, haven’t I met you before?” A bad line, but one that would buy him some time with her and worked more often than not.

She slowed down and walked with him. “Maybe, do you like books?”

He flashed his entrancing smile. “Yeah, who doesn’t?”

The sound of her giggling made him hungry, especially when her face flushed. “Ever heard of the bookstore called, A Tale of Two Bookends?”

“Yeah, yeah I think so,” he lied.

“Well, I own it.”

“Really?”

“Yep, and I have work to do, so I’ll see you around.”

As she headed up the stairs to her shop, he said, “Have a nice day.” It pleased him to know that she wouldn’t be able to think about much else but him.

* * * * *

When Jenna was within the safe confines of her bookstore, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her heart steadied as she looked over the familiar rows of shelves and breathed in the familiar, comforting scents of paper, new and old, and the lemony wood polish she used on the countertop.

What a strange way to start the day. She couldn’t keep from imagining her new acquaintance’s picture-perfect face and deep, chocolate eyes as she carried stock from the back room and found spaces for the new books on the shelves.

A month had passed since she caught her boyfriend in bed with another woman, and it seemed as if she’d spent every moment of that month torturing herself as she obsessed over the image of his body touching someone else’s.

Now, that man’s voice repeated in her ear as his chiseled face refused to leave her thoughts.

She laughed at herself, pushing her glasses up her nose. She supposed there was nothing wrong with enjoying some eye candy.

Counting the register was difficult, and basic math seemed to elude her. The lingering thoughts of the man she had met were distracting. She could not stop imagining undressing him. But she worked through and readied herself to open shop for the day.

To her surprise, the same stranger who consumed her brain was waiting at the entrance. She did her best to compose herself as she turned the lock and unbolted the door. “Hello again,” she said as she pulled it open.

Dane entered and breathed in deeply. “Ah, they should make a perfume called book, don’t you think?”

She could only nod at the gorgeous man. Gathering courage to find her voice, she asked, “Is there anything I can help you with?”

He rubbed his hand through his thick, dark hair and looked into her eyes. “Yes, my copy of A Tale of Two Cities is worn through. I need a new one.”

A tingle went through her. “That’s…my favorite book,” she said without thinking, then quickly turned away and headed in the direction of the classics. “Right this way.”

“Your favorite book? Really? Me too.”

She pulled a new, crisp copy of A Tale of Two Cities off the shelf and handed it to him.

“That’s why I need a new one. No amount of tape can fix the pages of my original.”

Jenna melted under his gorgeous gaze. Looking away from his enticing deep brown eyes, she tried to remind herself that good looks did not often mean the person was good on the inside. Fortifying herself with a slow breath, she looked back and asked, “Is there anything else I can help you with?” half hoping there was.

He smiled that wicked smile and said, “Why yes, what’s your name?”

“Jenna,” escaped her lip as her thoughts became clouded.

“Well, Jenna, I wonder if you’d like to go out for coffee sometime.”

It was a battle, but she stayed strong and said, “Thanks, but no thanks. I just got out of a relationship.” Turning away, to pull herself from whatever weird spell he cast on her, she headed back to the register and placed the barrier of the counter between them, hoping it would help distance her thoughts.

“I see.” The man shook his head and handed her some cash as she rang him up.

When she gave him his receipt, she tried to avoid his eyes but quickly glanced up to them. A tingling heat shot through her, and it took all her willpower not to gasp at the effect his piercing gaze had on her.

“See you around.” He smiled, book in hand, and headed for the door.