Page 19 of Vampire Runner

Ever since Ashe stole kisses, teased me, and made me long for more. I’ve never reacted to a man like this. I’d had a couple lovers, but because of my witch nature, I never kept them for long. I’d never considered taking a vampire lover before. My slow aging would mean nothing to a nearly immortal being. Something is still holding me back, though, from letting go and giving myself to him.

I’d been betrayed by loved ones before, hurt by those who were supposed to protect me. I don’t know if I can open myself again to that pain.

Ashe leans in, his lips brushing the shell of my ear and I shiver. “I can steal you away, Cassandra,” he murmurs, and his warm breath against my skin has me clenching my thighs together.

Ashe chuckles, no doubt scenting my arousal, and I scowl at him. He straightens, his hand settling on my knee and his thumb rubs soothing circles through the fabric.

My eyes dart around, trying to see if anyone else notices the too familiar touch. It’s quite inappropriate for Ashe to be touching me like this, especially in public, but I can’t bring myself to pull away from him.

No one seems to notice, and I take another sip of ale. Rhys is sitting with two other villagers, opening the case of his fiddle and setting it to his shoulder with a grin at the others. One has a hand drum and the other has a well-worn guitar. As the music starts, the groom leads the bride into a small clearing while the rest of the people gather around them, clapping in time with the music.

I frown when I see an unfamiliar man leaning against the post of the general store’s perch. He’s half in the shadows, but I’m certain I’ve never seen him here before.

I jump, almost spilling my ale, when Ashe’s lips brush my ear again.

“Dance with me,” Ashe cajoles before stealing my mug of ale and downing it with a roguish smirk. He stands and I shake my head, laughter building in my chest.

“Oh, no, I don’t dance,” I tell him and half-heartedly pull back when he grabs my hand. “I trip over my feet enough walking!”

Ashe doesn’t relent, his eyes sparkling with amusement. My heart is helpless against his grin. “It’ll be fine, trust me.”

I narrow my eyes at him, allowing him to pull me to my feet. “If you let me fall, vampire, I’m cursing you.”

Ashe laughs, the sound causing warmth to blossom in my chest. “If I let you fall, Cassandra, I’d deserve it.”

We join the villagers already dancing, and Ashe pulls me closer with a hand on my waist. I allow him, not bothering to hide my pleased smile when I wrap my hand in his. The music is a quick reel, and sure enough I trip as soon as Ashe starts us spinning along with the rest of the dancers around the area. True to his word though, he keeps me upright, holding me against his chest in the most indecent fashion. My feet barely touch the ground as we continue to dance, both of us breathless with laughter.

Ashe twirls me, and I laugh again, my head thrown back. I meet the eyes of the unfamiliar man and I stumble, losing my balance.

Ashe catches me, pulling me against his chest. His golden eyes are serious, his mouth a hard line. “Cassandra?”

I shake my head, nodding towards the stranger. “There’s someone I’ve never seen in Willow Creek before.”

Ashe’s head whips towards where the man had been, his brows furrowing. The man is gone, and Ashe turns back to me, his expression concerned.

“Are you sure?” he asks, his hands gentle on my arms.

“Of course I’m sure,” I say, frowning. Then I shake my head, laughing again. “Come on, I’m desperate for a drink after that.”

He leads me through the dancers and the gathered crowd towards the table with refreshments. A few of the unmarried young women eye me with envy at Ashe’s attention and my cheeks heat. With how small Willow Creek is, there aren’t many options for marriage, and Ashe is attractive and well situated. If he were human, he’d been an ideal husband for any of these women.

A thrill goes through me when I meet his gaze as he presses a new cup into my hands. Ashe has never once looked at another woman around me, even though I’m certainly not the most beautiful one here. I take a cautious sip, then drink greedily of the perfectly tart and cold lemonade.

“Better?” he asks when I finish, a sigh of contentment slipping from my lips.

“Much.” I look at the dancers and confess, “I don’t think I’m up for anymore dancing, though.”

When I look back at Ashe, the hunger in his eyes steals my breath and has heat rushing between my thighs. My core throbs and I swallow roughly, my heart pounding.

Ashe doesn’t speak, taking my empty cup and setting it on the refreshment table.

“Come with me?” he asks, but he’s already leading me away into the shadows. We pass Lan and Ezra chatting with two younger women, and Ezra winks at me.

Such strange company I’m finding myself in since the Nightshades came to town. I never thought I’d meet a half-vampire, half-demon in my life. I never thought they could exist.

Ashe leads me down the narrow lane towards the edge of Willow Creek, and when we pass the last lantern, he sweeps me into his arms. My startled squeak turns to a laugh, my arms going around his neck.

Ashe’s grin flashes in the moonlight, his golden eyes glowing, and I’m struck again by how beautiful he is. How beautiful they all are.

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