How a Vampire Fights

Three years ago, Claire Vanderlaan lost her friend and business partner shortly before the opening of her dream business: a blood bar where vampires like her can slake their thirst, socialize, and be themselves. Tai backed out without explanation, as if he'd never cared. Now they're standing up in the wedding of mutual friends, and seeing him at the combined bachelor party leaves her in an upheaval of lingering hurt and unrelenting attraction. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but when he asks for a truce, Claire agrees. She hopes he's changed, that friendship is possible again...even if (unlike her) he's never been interested in more. As a bloodfiend, Tai Kristiansen craves in a way other vampires will never understand. When Claire decided her new business would be a blood bar, he had no choice but to withdraw from their plans. Claire has called him her "nemesis" ever since, but he'll take that over revealing the thing he most hates about himself. After three years he ought to be over her, but spending time with her leading up to the wedding proves the opposite. Claire's agreement to his truce is more than he dared to hope for. Of course he'll continue to keep his secret, but maybe they can be friends again, even if (unlike him) Claire has never been interested in more. When their first night out together (not a date, of course) turns into a rescue situation for endangered humans, Tai's struggle is dragged into the light. He's stunned when Claire accepts him instead of pulling away. As they give their mutual attraction a first real chance, Tai finds the safety to begin healing from old wounds. But all the secrets aren't out: Claire is keeping an explosive one of her own. Now that Tai is finally opening up to her, can she offer her trust again--with her deepest insecurity and her final, riskiest secret?