“Thank you. I’ll think about it,” I say, and leave the car, smothering a grin.
“Think about what?”
I enter the brightly lit pale yellow galley kitchen through the open door joining to the garage.
Michael storms in after me, grabbing me by the wrist and yanking me into his arms.
My breath hitches as he pulls me in tight, holding me to his tall, muscular frame.
“What is there to think about?” His dark eyes burrow into mine, and I feel his possessiveness deep, down to the marrow of my bones. “I am doing all this for you and Stella. I’m leaving my throne.”
I try not to laugh. “I meant, Michael, that I would think about inviting you to my bed. But I’m definitely going along with the plan.”
His eyes spark with emotion—and suddenly his lips are on mine.
My heart flutters so fast that it feels like a smoldering coal burning through my chest. It almost hurts. Almost.
His tongue glides across mine and flicks against my small sharp fangs. I can’t explain how good it makes me feel. Those things in my mouth have been a constant reminder of how far I’ve fallen from grace. At least according to the way I was raised.
I break our kiss, and I smile up at my king. “Let me get Stella fed, and then the night is ours.”
“You’re not going to give her those mini chocolate chip cookies I saw you buy at the convenience store, are you?”
“Nope. Those are for us.” Actually, I bought them for me. Wine doesn’t have the same effect as before. And now, for what I have in mind, I’m going to need a little courage.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The inside of the safe house doesn’t have much: a large safe with cash, a few weapons, medical supplies, and some cans of coffee.
I conduct a thorough check of the home, ensuring the bars on the windows and doors are in good shape. There’s no one hiding in the attic. Everything’s locked up tight, and to the best of my knowledge, we weren’t followed.
I get Stella set up in the small bedroom with the little cot. In the closet, I find a pillow and blanket, both still wrapped in plastic from the store, and tuck her in, promising this will all be over soon.
“We’ll go home,” I say, pushing a stray lock of her golden hair off her forehead. “And then you’ll have your bed and toys. You can go to school again. Would you like that?”
“Yeah. That was fun, Mommy. I like making new friends.”
“Good. Because that’s exactly what you’re going to do. Maybe we’ll even throw a birthday party for you next year.” She’s never had one.
“Will Daddy be invited?” she asks in that tiny hopeful voice.
“Yeah, sweetie. Of course.”
“How about cousin Freddy?”
“Oh, I don’t know. He might be really busy, but we’ll invite him. Okay?”
She nods her tiny head.
“All right then. Get some rest.” I lean over and kiss her forehead. “I bake muffins.”
“I bake muffins, too.” She smiles and rolls over, closing her eyes.
I drink in her preciousness for a moment, not wanting to let her out of my sight, really.
“She is quite the creature,” a deep voice says behind me.
I glance at the doorway. Michael is standing there, arms folded, leaning against the doorjamb and looking the part of the handsome vampire king. I can’t get enough of the view.
I get up, walk over to him, and smile before reaching for the light switch. I give it a flick, keeping my eyes glued to his.
He smiles though it doesn’t touch his eyes. I appreciate the gesture anyway. He wants me to feel comfortable. It’s his duty.
He turns his large frame and allows me to pass. When I do, I take his hand and pull him along, down the short hall into the other bedroom.
I don’t bother turning on the light, because I’m a vampire now. I can see just fine.
He closes the door behind him, and we face each other in the dark.
“I’ve never actually done this before,” I say.
His dark eyes fill with a subtle confusion.
“Oh, I mean, yeah—I’ve done that. Obviously.” We do have a daughter together. “But I haven’t, you know, tried it in this body.”
“Better enjoy the experience while you can, then, because tomorrow, you’ll be human once more.” He holds out his arms in some sort of invitation. “I’m all yours, librarian.”
So sure of himself. At least that part about Michael never changes.
I feel my cheeks flush.
“Are you blushing, librarian?” he asks.
I wasn’t expecting to feel shy or embarrassed about this. “In my defense, it has been over five years.”
He steps forward, grabs me by the waist, and pulls me into him. “Then fear not. I remember where all the parts go.” He leans down and kisses me.
Like before, his lips feel soft and silky, and while I know he doesn’t feel emotion, our bond is still there. That connection between us never went away. Still, my stomach is all knots and flutters. I want him, but in a way that’s way more intense. When a vampire wants, she wants with everything she’s got.
I slide my tongue past his lips, brushing it across one of his fangs. When we were together before, I was human, and he was careful to keep them away from me. Now he lets me touch them, and the fang rubbing seems to turn him on.
His grip tightens on my waist, and his lips start moving with abandon. I feel him harden through our clothes and press against my stomach. For me, it’s emotional. For him, it’s physical. Or maybe both?
My new less-destructible body takes over, all thoughts fading
