She smooths over the breast of his suit, sparing one last moment to rethink their liaison. It is no more successful than the last ten. How could it be, when she's a hopeless wreck of an isolated tragedy?

Paloma preoccupies the two of them with a kiss that could drown if indulged for too long. She separates only to inhale the scent of vitae directly from his throat. "Take me on Monday and I'm yours for the night? I can persuade them to let me have the shift scratched off."