Just because Thomas was gay didn’t mean he didn’t recognize that the woman working behind the bar was what a straight guy would call sex on legs. Besides, he noticed the way the other vampires looked at her: as if they wanted to drink from her rather than from the glasses she handed them. Like randy dogs, they hovered around the bar, trying their various pick-up lines on her, almost drooling. Did Thomas look like that when he looked at Eddie? He hoped not. It was pathetic enough that he was in love with a straight man.

The ice princess, as some of the guys had started calling her behind her back, kept her cool and polite exterior despite the suggestive comments and the obvious propositions, not giving away what was going on inside her. With a sigh, Thomas approached, and smiled at her.

“Roxanne,” he called her attention to him.

She turned toward him and gave him a genuine smile, her body visibly relaxing. “Thomas, what can I get you, love?”

Her British accent was still pronounced, and made him think of home and the two sisters he’d left behind. Regret for having left them flowed through him. But he couldn’t turn back time.

There was no use in thinking of it now.

“AB positive, please.”

Roxanne pulled a glass from underneath the counter and operated one of the taps. “Dessert before dinner?”

He grinned. AB positive was considered the sweetest blood type. He winked. “If you don’t tell, I won’t.”

As she expelled a warm laugh, Thomas heard the whispers of the other vampires beside him.

“What’s he got that we don’t?” one of them grumbled.

Roxanne’s head shot toward the man who’d spoken. She nailed him with a glare. “Class.

That’s what he’s got. So scram.” She shooed them away, and to Thomas’s surprise the men complied.

“You don’t have to fight my battles for me, Roxanne.”

She smiled at him softly. “You’re constantly fighting mine. Just returning the favor, love.”

Thomas jerked his thumb in the direction of the vampires who were now congregating near the fireplace. “If you smiled at them the way you smile at me, your tips would be better.”

“I only smile when I mean it.” She set the glass of blood in front of him. “On the house.”

A heavy hand slid over his shoulder, making him turn.

“Is Roxanne plying you with blood again?” Samson asked, grinning.

Thomas laughed. “If only it worked!” he joked, knowing that if he were straight, Roxanne would make the moves on him. Yet, she respected what he was, and despite the fact that she was attracted to him, she treated him like a brother. He liked that about her.

He exchanged a long look with her.

“At least Thomas doesn’t want to jump my bones. That’s something I can’t say for that bunch over there.” She tossed her head in the direction of the fireplace.

Samson removed his arm from Thomas’s shoulders and leaned over the bar. “If they’re harassing you, you’ve gotta let me know. I’ll take them to task.”

She made a dismissive hand movement. “And make it even worse by tattling on them? I can handle them.”

“As you wish.”

“I would offer you a drink, but given that you’re blood-bonded, I guess there’s nothing I can do for you.”

Samson shook his head, smiling. “Nothing at all.” Then he winked at her. “Although I’m not blind, and can understand why the guys keep trying.” Then he turned to Thomas. “We’re almost ready. Haven and Yvette should be arriving any minute.”

Together they walked away from the bar.

“Did Eddie come with you?” Samson asked.

“No, I had to stop by at Al’s for a part, so I left earlier.” He let his gaze sweep around the room, but couldn’t see Eddie.

“I’m sure he’ll get here in time. How is Al?”

Thomas rubbed the back of his neck, unease creeping down his back again. “Actually I don’t know.”

“But I thought you said—”

He interrupted his boss. “He’s not there anymore. Somebody bought the place from him.”

Samson’s eyebrows pulled together. “I hadn’t heard anything about that. When did that happen?”

“Apparently last week.”

“That’s what I heard too. But that’s not all.” Thomas turned to the voice coming from behind them and looked at Zane.

“What else did you hear?” Thomas asked.

Zane shoved one hand into his pants pocket. “That he sold awfully quick. Somebody saw a couple of guys in suits march into his office, and a half-hour later Al started packing. Doesn’t look right, if you ask me.”