“And then there’s you,” Bennett said, placing a light kiss on the back of Lisa’s hand. “Three days ago, you were a mortal. You were attacked and left for dead, and when you awoke a vampire, you have quite literally astounded me ever since. Your first feeding should have been a chum-in-the-water frenzy, yet you wouldn’t allow it to be. You irritatingly stood up to me and bested me, and then you fought like a warrior to save a species you’ve only been a part of for a few bloody days. That takes someone very special, Lisa. You’re not only someone who’s risen from death. You came out of those ashes fearless, strong, and more determined than I thought possible. Determined to do the right thing. Determined to protect innocents, and determined to hold on to all your marvelously wonderful convictions.”

“Well, I can be determined sometimes,” Lisa said through a sly smile. “Dad always called me dogged.”

“That, my darling, is an understatement.”

“Very funny,” Lisa said, readjusting her position. “So, what about Ruby?”

“What about her?”

“I don’t know,” Lisa said, shrugging. “You mentioned the rest of us. Is she part of the club, too?”

“Oh…um,” Bennett said, scratching her temple. “I hadn’t…uh…I hadn’t really thought about her.”

Bennett’s features suddenly darkened. Not only was there now a hint of sadness, but Lisa could also sense the woman’s duplicity, so Lisa opted not to push the subject. Instead, she decided she’d change it. “So,” she said, inching closer. “I guess I should live up to my determined reputation then—huh?”

Bennett studied Lisa for a drawn-out moment upon seeing her coquettish expression. “I’m afraid to ask.”

“Oh, don’t be afraid,” Lisa said, slipping her hand under Bennett’s pajama top. “This won’t hurt a bit.”

Lisa’s touch lit Bennett’s libido instantly, and letting out a husky groan, Bennett couldn’t stop from flexing her hips in response. “What exactly do you think you’re…um…you’re…um…doing?”

“Anything I want. That is, if you know what’s good for you,” Lisa purred, and raising herself up on her knees, she brushed her lips against Bennett’s.

The contact was whisper-light, their breaths mingling as their lips touched again and again in the unhurried pace of foreplay. Lisa finally slipped her tongue into Bennett’s mouth, and Bennett was all too willing to receive it. Bennett’s tongue met the smooth wetness of Lisa’s, and together they devoured the other, their tongues moving in unison as they tasted, stroked, and possessed.