Immortal Sins

He canted his head to the side when she didn’t say anything. "You do not approve?"

She swallowed hard. "No. I mean, yes. I mean…"

A slow smile spread over his face, as if he was completely aware of the effect he was having on her senses.

"Did you find anything else you liked?" she asked.

"A few things. Have you the means to purchase them?"

She would have bought the jeans and T-shirt even if it meant taking out a second mortgage on her house. She gathered the other things he had selected–the only thing he had rejected was the sports coat–and carried them to Dirk, who quickly rang up her purchases, accepted her credit card, and thanked her for shopping at Sam’s. From the enthusiastic smile on the salesman’s face, she figured he worked on commission.

Carrying a bulging shopping bag in each hand, Kari left the store. Rourke, attired in his new jeans and T-shirt, walked beside her, shortening his stride to match hers. She had expected him to offer to carry one of the bags, if not both, and then remembered that things had been different in his time. Women had been expected to fetch and carry, leaving the men with their hands free to draw their weapons if need be.

Strolling through the mall, Kari noticed that almost every woman they passed slowed to gawk at Rourke. She couldn’t blame them. Not only was he sinfully handsome, but he oozed testosterone from every pore!

Judging from the smug look on his face, he was not only aware of the admiring looks being sent his way, he was used to it.

Just like a man, Kari thought irritably. They all had egos the size of the Grand Canyon, whether they were genuine hunks like Rourke, or clowns built like Homer Simpson.

They were headed for the escalator when Kari saw Tricia walking toward them. Tricia noticed Kari at the same time.

"Hey, girlfriend," Tricia called, hurrying toward her. As always, Tricia was dressed to the nines, her make-up immaculate, every hair in place. There were times when she made Kari feel like an unmade bed.

"Hi." Kari glanced at the Babies "R" Us sack in Tricia’s hand. "Been shopping for the baby, I see."

"Yeah, just a few odds and ends I couldn’t resist," Tricia replied, her gaze zeroing in on Rourke. "Who’s your friend?"

"Oh, Tricia, this is Jason Rourke. Jason, this is my best friend, Patricia McPhee."

Rourke inclined his head. "I am pleased to meet you, Miss McPhee."

"Likewise," she said, "and please, call me Tricia." She looked at Kari, her brows lifting in an expression that clearly said, Wow, what a hunk! "So," Tricia said, glancing from Kari to Rourke, "have you known each other very long?"

Rourke smiled. "Not long."

"Well, I’d really love to stay and chat," Tricia said, "but I’m supposed to meet Brent downstairs. We’re going to the movies. Do you two want to come along? I think we’re going to see the latest Sandra Bullock flick. It’s supposed to be pretty good."

"Thanks," Kari said, "but I don’t think so."

"Maybe another time. Call me later, girlfriend," Tricia said, her tone clearly indicating she wanted to know everything there was to know about Rourke.

Kari grinned in reply.

Tricia smiled at Rourke. "It was very nice meeting you."

"It was my pleasure, Miss McPhee."

Tricia stared at him as if she had never seen a man before.

Well, Kari could understand that. Jason Rourke was incredibly good-looking and he radiated sensuality, but enough was enough! "Tricia? Hey, Trish."

"What?" Tricia shook her head as if she was coming out of a trance. "Oh, yes, well, good-bye."

Kari stared after her friend, amused by Tricia’s behavior. "Honestly, you’d think she’d never seen a handsome man before," she muttered.

"You think me handsome?" Rourke asked with a roguish grin.

Kari felt her cheeks grow hot as she realized what she’d said. "You know you are. Everywhere we go, women turn to stare at you like they’re starving and you’re the last chocolate chip cookie on the planet."

He shrugged as if to say it wasn’t his fault, and she supposed that was true. He couldn’t help it if he’d been blessed with abundant good looks and enough charisma for a dozen men.

"She really doesn’t remember meeting you before, does she?" Kari asked a short time later.

"No."

"Amazing. A little creepy, but amazing." She blew out a breath. "So, is there anything else you need?" she asked, leading the way to the escalator that went up to the food court on the third floor. She didn’t know about Rourke, but she needed something to eat.

"I think not." He glanced around when they reached the third floor, his nostrils wrinkling with distaste at the stink of so many bodies occupying the same enclosed space, the myriad odors and scents that emanated from the food booths. "What are we doing here?"

"I’m hungry."

"Hungry, yes," he murmured. His gaze rested avidly on the pulse beating in the hollow of her throat.

"Don’t even think about it!" Kari warned. She thrust the shopping bags at Rourke and went to stand in line. When it was her turn, she ordered a cheeseburger with grilled onions, country fries, and a cherry Coke.

When her order came up, she carried the tray to a small table and sat down. Rourke sat across from her, a curious light in his eyes as he watched her eat.

"Want a bite?" she asked, offering him a taste of her burger.

Grimacing, he shook his head. "No, thank you."

"Can you eat regular food?"

"No."

Kari frowned thoughtfully. "Have you ever tried?"

"Only once."

"What happened?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

"From your expression, I’m guessing it made you sick."

He nodded, though sick was a mild term for his body’s violent reaction to mortal food.

"Why did it make you sick?" she asked curiously.

"Because I cannot digest it."

"Oh." She took another bite of her cheeseburger. "What about beverages, like coffee or tea?"

"No, although I enjoy a little wine now and then."

"Red, I’ll bet," she muttered dryly.

He grinned at her. "The redder the better."

She popped a french fry into her mouth, then wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Have you killed a lot of people?"

He lifted one brow, obviously surprised by her question. "Not lately."

"But you’ve killed to survive?"

"As have you."