Page 15 of Bitten By Desire

“What does it feel like to be back in France?” I asked, sipping what was quite possibly the best coffee I’d ever tasted. A moan of pleasure burst from my lips and Julian growled softly.

“It is quite different than when I grew up,” he said, taking his turn at footsie beneath the table. “The kingdom of France was just coming into being, really. It was the Middle Ages after all. Most of my time was spent in the hills and fields. Though I think there’s still nothing quite as beautiful—present company excluded, of course.”

“Naturally.” I batted my eyelashes as the server set down a plate of golden pastries. She caught her lower lip between her teeth and flushed hard as Julian thanked her.

“Is that how you find blood donors?” I asked casually, tearing off a bit of the sweet, aromatic bread.

“Hardly. She’s a human and doesn’t even know about our world. Ignorance is bliss. This is part of my nature, though, you know. Think of me like a Venus Flytrap. My allure draws in unsuspecting prey for me to feed on.”

“Mm, yes. The whole Dracula bit. These are delicious, by the way,” I finished off my treat and sat back.

“Gibassier is my favorite. I believe it’s the subtlety of the anise that makes it so unique. And as to my other tastes, stop worrying,” he said, taking my hand again.

“What? I’m not nervous. I mean, other than the whole uncovering-the-board’s-secrets-and-finding-a-killer-as-usual part.”

Julian shot me a you-don’t-fool-me look, and I bristled.

“I told you I will have patience while you heal, Charlotte. I am not going to stray like a feckless human man.”

“Feckless?” I snorted, but he stayed serious, avoiding my attempt at distraction. “Fine. I can’t help but feel a bit…jealous, I suppose, when beautiful women fall all over you. Especially in front of me. And yes, I guess I do worry because I know you have needs. Hell, I have needs, too, and find it annoying.”

“I am happy to serve your needs anytime you like. No quid pro quo necessary.” Julian’s foot, shed of its shoe, slipped between my thighs on my chair.

Oh my, but he knew how to use every part of his body expertly. I drew in a sharp breath and wiggled, but he held me firm with his hands on mine as the indigo in his eyes glowed softly.

“I mean it, Charlotte.”

“I know,” I said and pushed my chair back, making a scraping sound on the pavement. Then I reached for my glass of water and downed it.

Julian paid the check and escorted me back to the vamp mobile. When he’d shut the driver’s side door, he leaned over and kissed me softly before pulling into traffic. A tear wove its way down my cheek. That was exactly the sort of gesture I’d needed.

“Thank you,” I whispered, and he smiled in answer, reaching to take my hand while keeping his gaze on the road.

“Where are we headed now?” I asked after a bit. “I thought we needed to search the office.”

“I doubt the major overlooked anything important, but we won’t. First, since Binx is covering for us, I want to show you something.”

Curious, I settled back into the supple leather seat and allowed myself to enjoy the view. We’d traveled to more exotic places than I’d ever been in my life in the last few months, but I’d viewed it all through a haze of grief and guilt. Suddenly, the colors seemed brighter, the air fresher, and the world more…alive.

Julian drove fast, but it still took well over an hour before he slowed. The terrain had gone from urban to fields of yellow and pink wildflowers to green hills and thick trees. We pulled off the road and bumped our way up a dirt path that looked barely like a road at all until we reached the bottom of a group of rolling hills surrounded by forest and grass that threatened to swallow me when I stepped out of the vehicle.

“Where are we?” I asked, searching for any signs of civilization.

“Home,” he said simply, the saddest note in his voice.

I went to him, taking his arm, and followed his gaze up to the top of the hill.

“This is where you were born?” I asked softly, half afraid to interrupt whatever reverie he was in.

He nodded and led the way up to the top where he stared at the ground, stepping carefully through the wild grass and weeds. Stopping suddenly, he caught my eye and reached for me.

I joined him, careful as I picked my way across the ground. He pointed out a group of trees, and it felt like déjà vu. But I knew where I’d seen this before—when I’d been here. It was when I’d joined Julian psychically as he lay helpless between dimensions in a Fae torture device. He’d relived a conversation with his sister, Annette. And I’d eavesdropped.

This was the same hill. The terrain was slightly different, and definitely more overgrown, but this was it. The small house I’d seen in the vision, along with the animals, were gone.

“I buried her here,” he said, tilting my face toward his. “On this hill. With my bare hands. But I never put up a permanent marker, and now I don’t know where she is exactly.”

“Oh, Julian.” I threw my arms around him and held him close. He’d grieved too. And he’d lost the opportunity to stay near his sister, the woman who raised him. She’d been murdered. But we knew who her killer was, and I was once again glad Silas was dead.

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