Epilogue
Dr. Karin Allardice was running late, as usual. Grabbing her briefcase off the passenger seat of her sleek black Mercedes AMG, she unfolded from behind the wheel and set one stiletto-heeled foot on the ground.
The morning was cool, the sun still hovering low in the sky.
In front of her stretched the wide lawn that filled the space between her designated parking spot and the entrance to her laboratory.
The lush blades of grass still glistened with dew, and the parking lot around her remained silent and empty.
In a few hours, she’d be brownnosing one of the most prominent philanthropists in Chicago.
A donation of several million would give her a good start, but she knew that was wishful thinking.
The best she could hope for was a fundraising gala, another endless evening of overpriced food and drinks during which she’d grovel repeatedly with her hand held out.
As she straightened from the driver’s seat, she was startled to find a man standing by her car.
She was briefly confused as to how he’d appeared out of nowhere, then the question fled her mind.
Everything she’d been mulling vanished from her thoughts as she faced the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.
He extended his hand. “Dr. Allardice?”
Dear god, his voice was as delicious as the rest of him. Throaty and warm, like fine aged whiskey.
“Yes? I’m Karin Allardice.” The moment her fingers touched his, a spark of awareness shot up her arm. Shaken by the strength of her physical response, she shut the door and took a quick, deep breath to regain her composure. “Can I help you?”
“I certainly hope so. I’ve been told you’re a preeminent virologist. Is that correct?”
“That’s very flattering.” She pushed her hair back from her face. “My primary focus is virology, yes.”
The soft light of the early morning gilded him, enhancing the natural sheen of his thick black hair and the beauty of his caramel-hued skin.
His eyes were the most unusual shade of amber, quite breathtaking and framed by thick, dark lashes.
His mouth was a voluptuary’s wet dream. Firm and sculpted, the lower lip was just full enough to make her think of sex while the upper was etched with the sharpest edge of sin.
He wore a three-piece suit like nobody’s business, and when his mouth curved, she lost her breath.
“I’ve recently been made aware of a new viral strain, Dr. Allardice. I’d really like your opinion on it.”
“Oh?” She forced her brain to resume functioning. “Well, I’d be happy to take a look, Mr.—”
“Syre,” he provided. “Excellent. I was hoping you’d be cooperative.”
The flash of unnaturally long canine teeth was the last thing she registered before the world went dark.