Page 80 of Tempting the Dhampir

The drive is very short, and we find parking right in front of the shop. Feels like luck is on my side today.

“I will wait outside for you. Please call me if you require my assistance with anything,” Pierce says as he escorts me to the door.

Everything goes smoothly, and I’m done earlier than expected. I’m giddy with excitement for Everett’s reaction when he sees what I did.

The drive back feels longer as I shift uncomfortably in my seat for the entirety of it. Getting out of the car, I say to Pierce, “I’m heading up to the suite to pack. If you bump into Everett first, then let him know. I don’t want to message and interrupt his dealings with his father right now.”

“Can I escort you up, Ms. Everly?” Pierce asks politely.

I wave him off. “That’s okay, thanks, I know where everything is. Have a good evening, Pierce. And thanks for accompanying me on my top-secret mission.”

I feel comfortable and confident as I walk through the lobby. The distance limit between Everett and me may be gone, but a part of him is with me wherever I go, our bond glowing brightly in my chest.

I’m partially distracted trying to decipher Everett’s emotions through the bond, so I don’t immediately notice the man walking behind me. When I get to the area in front of the private elevator, I can feel his eyes assessing me.

My initial reaction is to think it’s just a hotel guest distracted by my glittery ensemble, but my woman’s intuition screams predator. That’s why when the elevator arrives, I pretend to forget something and start walking back to the lobby.

The man steps in front of me, blocking my way.

“Where’s a pretty lady like you running off to?” he purrs creepily.

All the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, sensing danger, and my heart starts pounding uncomfortably.

Pretending I’m not as affected, I turn in a leisurely fashion and say with a voice full of derision, “Excuse me? Do I know you?”

“Not yet. But I’m hoping that will change. I’d like to get to know you very well.”

I shudder at his words, my lip curling up. I hope this man doesn’t think his lines will work on anyone. What he thinks sounds smooth just feels oily.

“Yeah, buddy. That’s not going to work. I’m taken and very much not interested.” I summon all the attitude I’ve not needed once since I met Everett.

“Oh yeah. I bet I can satisfy you better than he can,” the man tries, and I nearly gag at the thought of anyone else touching me but my male.

I give the newcomer a pitying once-over. He’s definitely attractive by the world’s beauty standards, looks to be in his early forties, dark hair, green eyes… Oh, shit.

“Tell me, loser. How does it feel to want something you can’t have?” I ask as things click into place, placing my hands on my hips and letting every inch of my body broadcast the disdain I feel toward him.

“Who says I can’t have you?” he dares to ask, trying to look arrogant, but I can see I’m starting to get under his skin.

I smirk back at him and drawl, “I wasn’t just talking about me.”

His eyes widen in shock the moment understanding hits him.

“I see my son’s latest plaything is feisty. I like a challenge.”

“You’re nothing but a disgusting old vamp. You’ll never have me, and you’ll never have Everett’s hotel. ‘Like a challenge,’ oh please! You had to come here, behind your son’s back, to try to steal his whales. How’s that going for you? Business so bad you have to stoop as low as poaching?” I sneer at him.

“Listen here, you little—”

“I’m going to stop you right there.” I hold my hand up in front of him, pausing him mid-threat. “I’m sure you have a ton of very creative names to call me. I can assure you, I’ve heard them all. So save your breath, creepy fucker. What I can tell you is this. Everett is the most amazing person I have ever met. He’s smart, generous, kind, thoughtful, and he fucks like a king. You don’t deserve to be in his life or even in this hotel. So how about you fuck right off and go back to whatever dark hole you crawled from?”

“Fucks like a king, eh? The boy’s young and just a dhampir. I can give you pleasure that only a vampire with my level of experience can provide,” he croons, letting his gross gaze slide vulgarly down my body.

“That’s what you took from what I said? The fucking part? You’re sick. And what makes a vampire any different from a dhampir? How can you be so superior?”

“The way I can let your blood—”

I wave my finger in front of his face. “Nope. Don’t even try. Everett sucks my blood perfectly, he makes my whole body sing when he sinks his fangs into me. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. And you know what makes it that good?”

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