Page 13 of Be Still My Unbeating Heart

“It’s a time-share,” Bastian offered, moving through a sunbeam that sliced in through the open balcony doors. A great way to dispel anycreature of the nightcrap. It was crazy how many of the old myths people still believed, even now, when vampires had been part of everyday life for a decade.

“It’s mine every August and September,” he added about the apartment.

A flutter of De Luca’s eyelashes. “I don’t remember seeing you before.”

“I only just bought it. Have you lived here long?”

“All my life,” De Luca said.

“You must like it.”

De Luca shrugged and his elbow nudged the dirty pan. As his brow crinkled further, he bit his lip and then, with a shake of his head, turned on the water to fill the sink, dropping the pan in to soak. Bastian watched him wipe the counter with a dishcloth and tried to subdue the impatience humming in his jaw.

His only shot at clearing his name and avoiding the wrath ofthe vampire council would be to find the real killer, but there was no way De Luca would let him leave the apartment in his present mood. Sure, Bastian could knock De Luca unconscious or tie him up, but how long before Zappa stopped by to check on him? Then the hunt would begin all over again.

Bastian couldn’t just run. The inspector was in excellent physical shape, for one. His dark blue polo fit him just right, hugging his broad shoulders and toned biceps and tapering at his narrow waist. He wore charcoal combat trousers that Bastian couldn’t help noticing clung to long, muscular legs.

Eyes up. No ogling.

He just needed to loosen up De Luca. This didn’t work without him.

“Did you always want to be a police officer?” he asked.

De Luca stopped wiping the counter.

Bastian held up his hands. “Just finding a way to pass the time.”

De Luca sniffed, then rolled up his sleeves and started scrubbing the pan. “Sì, I always wanted to be a poliziotto. I should be out there right now, helping people who actually need it.”

“I bet you never thought you’d end up babysitting a vampire,” Bastian said, absentmindedly stroking his neck. “Could you have refused Zappa’s orders? Had me locked up in the Doria Castle? Nowthatwould have been an adventure.”

De Luca said nothing. He scrubbed the pan so hard it was like he blamed the charred fish skin for his misery.

“Let me guess, there’s a promotion opportunity,” Bastian said, “and you wanted to impress your boss.” De Luca’s hand stilled, and Bastian laughed. “I knew it! You think this will fast-track your career. That’s it, isn’t it? Catch the big, bad vampire and you’re rewarded with a fancy new title.”

De Luca set the pan to dry.

“We don’t have to do this,” he said, sponging the counter.

“Do what?”

“Talk,” De Luca said.

“Did you have something else in mind?” Bastian asked. He smiled as he poured hot water into thecafetièreon the table. He placed a cup next to the cafetière, then stepped back to lean against the counter.

De Luca dried his hands on a tea towel, expression stern. He looked through the balcony doors, and Bastian caught sight of the sparkling sea beyond the rooftops. He couldn’t smell the sea from this distance, and a sudden, intense pinch of yearning came at his chest.

“A shame to be stuck indoors on a day like this. I had so much planned for our trip. I had my heart set on a boat ride. Sunbathing on the beach. Eating out and hiking the Cinque Terre. And a little holiday romance always keeps things interesting.”

De Luca must not have missed the teasing in his tone, because his cheeks threatened another blush. Then he frowned, looking confused.

“You’re talking like you really did come here for a vacation.”

Bastian gasped. “Well, yes. It’s good to shake up the routine.”

“You actually sunbathe?”

“Factor seventy does the trick for most Brits,” Bastian said with a wink.