In another life they could have dated--even gotten married--but not now. Even though Sylvia loved him with all her heart. If she hurt Jean-Pierre by mistake, it would destroy her. Not to mention she'd fly off the rails.

Again.

Sylvia bit her lower lip. "That's a sweet offer..."

"You know I don't mind," he whispered in a tender voice that made that omnipresent Hunger fester inside her. "I'd share my daydream with you now, but I'm at work."

"Don't tease me," said Sylvia with a hint of a predatory growl. "I'm so damn hungry."

He hummed in thought. "So am I. Meet me tonight at Antico Forno?"

"I can't."

"Too dangerous?"

"Yeah."

A wave of regret washed over her. Yet another reason why they could never date, much less marry. If they shared a life, he'd never get to enjoy all the normal things that couples did.

Sure, it'd be a cute novelty at first.

Hey, look! My gorgeous wife is a dream weaver who can never die. Oh, yeah. And she can create any fantasy we want. We can travel the world and return before lunch hour ends.

Beat that, mother hubbards!

But a life with Sylvia meant retreating from real life. They'd never be able to go to public places like restaurants, cinemas, or museums. They'd have to avoid family get-togethers and barbecues with friends. Not to mention travel in confined spaces with others was out of the question.

A dreamscape relationship would put Jean-Pierre at great risk. If they spent too much time there or if Sylvia fed too much from him, they could cross the line from fantasy into oblivion. If she lost him to that horrific land of Limbo, she'd never forgive herself.

And she'd have eternity to regret it.