Page 68 of Only Human in Strangeville

“I’ve barely had time to process all of this,” I admitted. “I can’t…” I trailed off and waved a hand helplessly, not sure what I was going to say.

“No need to make a decision now,” he said. “Let’s take one thing at a time. Clothes, because you are very tempting, so scantily clothed, and in my shirt.” His eyes shone with lust and a soft moan escaped my lips before I clamped them shut.

I squirmed under his gaze and knew I was getting damp. Especially by the way Davin sucked in his breath, as if tasting my scent.

Someone cleared their throat. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Oliver and Katsuro in the shadows. The vampire’s gaze was hungry, and I wasn’t completely sure it was lust that motivated that look. He’d recently drank a lot of my blood, and I knew that had to be on his mind. I glanced at Davin.

“Sorry, sorry,” Davin said, visibly restraining himself and turning away.

When I looked back toward the hallway, Oliver was alone. I hadn’t noticed the bundle of clothing he held before, but he held it up now.

“Care to get dressed?”

“Yeah, probably a good idea.” I mock glared at Davin, who held up his hands in surrender, though he had a playful smile on his face.

I got up, leaving Nimbus to his gravy feast and hoping he would clean up his face when he was done, because he was wearing his food like a toddler at the moment. I stopped next to Davin and put my hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. “I’m very interested in revisiting this topic, but I do think we should all talk first. I need reassurance.”

Davin covered my hand with his. “Absolutely.”

I went over to Oliver, and he gave me the pile of clothing and a gentle kiss on the forehead.

“Love, get dressed, then go talk to Katsuro.”

Frowning, I glanced up at the shade. “What’s wrong?”

Oliver sighed. “He’s unhappy with how you risked yourself, and he’s craving your blood. It’s a combination to make any vampire cranky.”

I glanced back at Davin, head tilted to invite his advice. I knew he could hear Oliver’s quiet words.

Davin nodded and joined us, the heat spilling off his body warming my back, though he didn’t invade my space. He was just that warm.

“Oliver is right. Talk to him.”

“Hannah,” Oliver said quietly. “You do not need my permission for anything but know that I will be okay with any action you feel necessary to take with Katsuro. He needs some reassurance right now, but he’s an ancient, powerful vampire. He won’t ask for it. He’ll just be an ass about it.” Oliver smiled. “Feel free to tell him he’s being an ass, but, also, feel free to go to him, if you want. It’s all right. Once Katsuro has his head on straight again, we’ll all talk and work this relationship out, but for now, do what you need to do.”

I nodded, clutching the bundle of clothing tight and wondering if I should bother to change into it. Not that I was planning on jumping Katsuro, but maybe being half naked would throw him off some.

Oliver tilted my chin up with a finger and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I smiled uncertainly and nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

In the end, I put on the clothing, feeling like I was donning armor. And hey, if it did come down to it, maybe it would be more fun if the vampire had more to take off me. Not that I was planning on getting naked, but, well, a girl never knew when she had several potential mates, now did she.

What on earth was I getting myself into?

I found Katsuro in the basement. Though to call this luxurious apartment a basement was nearly a disservice. It was entirely possible that Davin, or whoever had built this lodge, had vampires and their comfort in mind when they designed this, and it seemed perfectly suited to someone who had to avoid the sunlight. There was outside access, but the door was heavy, and quite possibly reinforced. I saw no windows, and everything from the plush carpet to the wall hangings and acoustic tiles in the ceiling was designed to muffle sound while still being attractive and comfortable. A fireplace, currently cold, occupied one wall.

The vampire sat in an armchair, long legs stretched out in front of him and a book in his hand. A book I was fairly certain he wasn’t actually reading, since he stared off into the distance instead of at the pages.

“Hey,” I said.

He jumped slightly and snapped the book closed. His gaze shifted until he focused on me with some of that same hunger from before.

“Hello, Hannah.”

I had no idea what to say, so I stood there hoping he would give me an opening.

Unfortunately, Katsuro seemed content to stare back.

Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. “Are you okay?”

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