She had been asleep, yet she was conscious of every moment; perhaps subconscious of every moment.
“Why did you come to my dreams?”
“You were thinking of me. I was already there. I just took the place of your dream version of me.”
She was shaking. She didn’t know what to think. Was this consent or was it coercion?
He touched her shoulder gently. “Harley, come here.”
She allowed herself to be pulled down into his arms. She tucked her head on his chest. She was angry, she was confused, and she was scared.
“You’re trembling. I’m sorry. It was not my intention to upset you or to take you against your will. It was my intention to seduce you.
“I won’t lie about that. I found myself drawn to you the moment Zoe brought you to me.”
Harley wasn’t expecting him to be so nice. He was a vampire after all. Vampires had a reputation. There were not known for being kind. They were known for being ruthless, cold and calculating.
This would not be an instant decision on her part. She would need to process this. In the meantime, she had more questions.
“Did you feed off me?”
“I fed off your energy, yes.”
“Next time ask.”
She heard him chuckle. She really didn’t find any of this humorous.
“I’ll ask. You are a feisty one. I know if the circumstances were different I’d have one helluva fight on my hands right now.
“Forgive me if I am enjoying this. I have a feeling it’s rare.”
Despite herself, Harley smiled. This was an odd situation. She was certain things would be very different other under circumstances. Just now she didn’t have the energy or the want.
Against her better judgment, she felt herself relaxing against him. Maybe she would just close her eyes for a minute before she demanded to be taken back to her vehicle.
CHAPTER NINE
“Where is she? I’m going to kill that redheaded bitch and when I’m done with her, I’m going to torture Aiden.”
Harley woke with a start as Zoe came busting into the room. Before she had time to fully awaken Zoe was on top of her, her hands around Harley’s throat.
She was super strong, like most vampires. Harley used magic to shock Zoe’s hands. Zoe yelped and pulled her hands back, just long enough for Harley to get out from underneath her.
By this time, Luc had grabbed Zoe and was holding her up by the throat off the floor.
“How dare you enter my room and attack my guest.”
Zoe clutched at his hands trying to get them off her neck. While Harley was opposed to violence, it’s not like Zoe needed to breathe. Zoe had just tried to kill her just moments earlier.
Harley had a hard time feeling sorry for the predicament Zoe had gotten herself into.
“Master, master please.” Zoe managed to choke out.
“Please what, Zoe? Please, punish me? That’s exactly what I intend to do.”
Harley had been paying so much attention to Luc and Zoe she had not seen the other two vampires come in with the ghouls.
“Take her to her room and make sure she is secure. I will deal with her later.”
The ghouls grabbed Zoe just as roughly as they had grabbed her the day before, and drug her out of the room. Zoe tried to get loose at first. Then she caught a glance at Luc’s face and decided to stop resisting.
Once Zoe was out of the room, Luc turned to her.
“Are you uninjured?”
“Just a few bruises. I’ll be fine.”
“Let me look at you.”
He examined her thoroughly. The only bruising he saw was on her neck, where Zoe had tried to choke her. The bruises would look nasty for a few days, but there would be no lasting damage.
“I had hoped you would stay a few days, so we could get to know each other; however, I think it's best you go home. I will have Aiden take you.
“I’d like you to allow him to stay with you for a few days. Just to make sure Zoe or her boyfriends don’t pay you a visit.”
“I can take care of myself, Luciano.”
“Luc, please call me Luc.”
“Luc, I can take care of myself. I have been doing it for a long time now.”
“I am not doubting your ability to take care of yourself. I just know Zoe. Even though she will be under direct orders not to bother you, she has been disobedient in the past.
Since you were brought here for crossing my wards, it’s only right that I should help protect you.”
Harley wasn’t in the mood to argue. She just wanted to get home. She could toss Aiden out later.
“Fine.”
Aiden came in a few minutes later with Harley’s boots and cloak.
“I brought your SUV to the front. Shall we go?”
Harley wasn’t completely comfortable with taking a jester home with her. For the moment, it seemed to be the lesser of two evils.
CHAPTER TEN
The drive home was quiet. Aiden didn’t have much to say. She wasn’t in the mood to talk.
Two hours later they pulled into the driveway of her ranch. Aiden’s eyes widened as he looked around.
“Is this all yours?”
“Yes. My practice is rather successful. My husband also left me a rather large sum of money. Some of which went to the down payment of the property.”
“Left you?”
“Yes, my husband was killed in an accident several years ago.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been
