Page 44 of Tempting the Dhampir

When we get to the elevator bank, we both take out our phones.

Sadie stares at me, disbelief creasing her brow. “You know what? I don’t have your number. We haven’t been apart since we met.”

“You won’t find me complaining about being close to you all the time. But I am complaining about not having your number,” I say as I unlock my phone and hand it to her.

She gives me her phone, and I quickly put in my details, making sure the name I enter will be easy for her to find.

When she passes mine back, I laugh. “You saved yourself as ‘sparkly princess’?”

“What? Don’t you think it suits me?”

“I would’ve saved you as ‘sparkly queen,’” I tell her without a trace of sarcasm.

She blinks at me. And just keeps blinking. I think I’ve broken her.

Just to be sure, I ask, “Are you okay? Need some mouth-to-mouth to restore your faculties?”

“Wouldn’t you love to?” she asks, back to her normal self.

“Undoubtedly,” I reply honestly.

The thought of her mouth on mine has crossed my mind too many times to count.

We both burst out laughing at how ridiculous the exchange is.

Once we’re breathing normally again, Sadie asks, “Are you always this honest? This direct?”

“Actually, no. Only with you.”

I take a moment to think on that and realize it’s true. I’ve never been so forward with someone or so needy for their attention. I don’t think I’ve found anyone interesting enough before to have me this thoroughly captivated.

“How about you, sparkles? Are you usually so direct with your… interest?”

Sadie shrugs. “I don’t have a problem with speaking my mind, but I can truthfully admit that this is a new level for me.”

“I feel special,” I say, clutching my heart.

“You should,” she replies dryly, then looks at her phone. “‘Bet winner’? Really?”

“You know it’s bound to happen. Want to watch me in the shower later and see what you’re missing out on?” I waggle my brows.

“Not in your wildest dreams,” she scoffs.

I can’t seem to help myself as my filter disappears, and I utter, “Sweetheart, I promise you, you can’t imagine how wild my dreams are when it comes to you.”

Sadie sucks in a breath, completely caught off guard by my unrepentant candor. Indecision wars in her eyes, her mouth opening to say something, but whatever words she was about to say melt on her tongue with the ding of the elevator’s arrival. Her shoulders deflate before she shifts back to her confident self and enters the elevator.

“I’m changing your name as soon as I’m upstairs. Better answer for now,” Sadie mock threatens me as the elevator doors close.

A couple of seconds later, I answer Sadie’s call while walking to the stairs. “Sparkles, I want to know what you were going to say before the elevator arrived.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything, zooms,” she lies.

“Tell me when you reach floor twenty, please. And place your finger above the stop button, ready to press it the moment you feel discomfort,” I instruct her, changing from flirty to serious mode. I don’t want her to have the same bad experience she had on the island.

“I’m ready. Floor fifteen now.” Sadie’s nerves are evident in the quiver of her voice.

I try to reassure her, meaning my words. “I’ve got you. You’re safe with me.”

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