"I have not had the pleasure of kissing the maid of honor. May I, ma minette?" Laurent, also known as Master Vampire from New Orleans and friend of the family, stood in waiting.

Brandi made sure to plaster a surly look on her face. "I told you not to call me that. I'm not a pussycat, especially not yours, DG."

Laurent's expression re-arranged to confusion. "I shall call you whatever I deem appropriate because you shall be mine very soon." He closed the space between them, gazed down at her. "Pussycat is a French term of endearment, one that fits you perfectly."

His cool breath fanned her forehead. She couldn't help but stare into those damned golden brown eyes. Yes, he did say he would be coming for her, but that was during a heated moment in Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. She'd assumed he'd forgotten all about his declaration.

His riveted gaze searched her face.

Gods have mercy. With him so close, she couldn't concentrate.

"DG, and what does this mean?" Laurent kept staring and her knees kept knocking.

"Oh, come on, vampy…it stands for dead guy."

His eyebrows elevated. He slowly tilted his head to the side, his gaze still pinning her in place. "Do you think it's smart to call me such names in such close proximity to the living?" A millimeter of a second later, his lips touched her ear and he purred, "This dead guy shall ignite passion in you like none you have ever known. I promise, the time will come when you will beg me to love you. And I shall honor your command."

That's what you think. Speechless, suddenly spineless, an uneasy chuckle rumbled from her. "Nice to see you, Laurent. I have to go to the reception now."

Like her pants were on fire, she dodged around him. Before she'd reached the bottom of the church stairs, Laurent stood waiting, his back up against the railing.

"Do not think you are getting away that easily. I promised Jett and Sophia I would escort you to the reception. You, ma minette, shall do me the honor of being my date tonight."

"Like hell." The words marched right out of her mouth and she clenched her hands into fists, biting back the desire to hurl one of her knives at him. Stop using that glamour shit on me. I ought to stab you.

"It will not work. I am already dead. If I were able to glamour you completely, you would be in my limousine already naked."

He had her in his arms before the recollection of his mind-reading abilities crossed her train of thought.

"Now, let us go." He stopped halfway to his black stretch limousine. "You will address me as Laurent, not DG."

Having had just about enough of his shit, she yanked herself free of his grasp. "Don't tell me what to do, Larry. I'm not one of your vampire groupies. I will--"

His lips were on hers before she uttered the next word. He pulled her back into his arms, tightened the embrace and slipped his tongue into her mouth. Fire shot through her veins, warming her body inside and out. A moan escaped her lips. In response, he deepened the kiss, circling his tongue with hers, gently brushing his sharp fangs against the flesh. All common sense about dating a dead guy scattered like dandelion seeds in the wind. She tightened her arms around his neck, but he abruptly stopped the kiss and released her.

After that earth-shattering kiss, there was no doubt a dazed look graced her face.

"My name is Laurent. Comb your hair and get into the car."

She tried to move, but her legs stayed glued in place.

In two strides, Laurent stood by the car, then turned back toward Brandi. "I did mean today. Are you coming? Or should I return and put you over my shoulder? Either way, get your fine derrière moving."

Don't tell me…