Page 109 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

My eyes snagged on the gesture and watched her mouth intently. Thea’s cheeks flamed under the intensity of my gaze but I didn’t rein it in. I could show her all of me, even the hungry beast that prowled inside me. The one that wanted to claim her now without any regard for romance. But I forced myself to look away. I held out my hand. “Come on.”

She took it, her breathing as jagged as my self-control. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

We only had to walk a few more feet before the seagrass gave way to a sandy beach. I paused at the edge of the path and knelt.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a laugh as she looked down at me.

I reached for her ankle and undid the strap of her espadrille. “The sand here is soft and warm. It will feel good on your feet,” I promised her as I took off her shoes one at a time, “and I don’t want you to break your neck trying to walk in these in it.”

I stood, hooking her shoes around my index finger, and kicked off my own. I took a second to toe off my socks. Thea shook with barely contained laughter as she watched me. “What’s so funny, pet?”

“I’ve never seen a big, scary vampire wiggle out of his socks before,” she giggled, easing some of the tension in the air.

“Glad I amuse you,” I said dryly. I grabbed her hand, still holding her shoes in my other and started toward the beach.

“What about your shoes?” she called as she scrambled to keep up with me.

I slowed down and shrugged. “I have more.”

“But—” Whatever she was about to say died on her lips as my surprise came into view.

I made a mental note to give Celia a raise.

A linen-covered table had been set with bone china and crystal near the water’s edge, just where the tide was on the way out. The water surged, breaking and retreating back to the ocean. The white petals scattered around the table tumbled in the breeze, some washing out to sea with the tide and tinging the salty air with the scent of roses. Wind swept across the beach and tugged at the linen cloth, rippling it like a sail. Lanterns were lit, adding to the mood without taking away from the stars twinkling above us.

“This is perfect,” Thea murmured. She looked up at me with shining eyes.

“It’s beautiful,” I corrected her. “You’re perfect.”

I tugged her toward our dinner. Thea groaned when her feet sank into the sand.

“Was I right about the shoes?” I asked, grinning as she nodded enthusiastically.

“Bare feet the rest of the trip.” She grinned back and the sight of it seized my heart.

“Bare everything would be even better.”

But she laughed. “I saw how many people work on this island. I’m not sure I want to prance around naked.”

“They won’t bother us.” I’d already seen to that. “The staff are heading back to Cuba.”

“Oh.” She swallowed. “And Celia?”

I nodded. “Security will circle the perimeter. I already arranged for food. We have this place entirely to ourselves.”

Her eyes hooded, her sweet scent rising on the wind around us. “What are we going to do out here all alone?”

She dangled the bait, and I forced myself to resist lunging for it. I needed to take care of her first. “Let’s eat, and I’ll tell you, my love.”

“I’m not hungry.”

I raised an eyebrow, calling her bluff, and she groaned.

“That’s so not fair.” But she didn’t resist being led to the table.

I pulled out her chair for her, helping her into it. Thea wriggled her toes in the warm sand and sighed happily as she took in the feast before us. It was island fare at its best thanks to my private chef: a ceviche of fresh gulf shrimp and avocado in lime juice, platters of ripe melon, oysters on the half shell, and champagne on ice. I piled her plate full of food before pouring her a glass of Dom Pérignon.

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