Page 54 of Tempting the Dhampir

Cece nods and tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. “It’s good. But you should see the house, it’s a dream.”

“Cece, you’ve got to give me more than that. Is he treating you well?” I ask sternly, ready to fly to Germany if she needs me. I’d give Adelbert a good talking to if he’s not treating my sweet sister as she deserves to be treated.

“He’s doing his best. He’s very busy and is locked in his library most of the day. I think the pressure of trying to fix the whole tattoo thing is really hard on him.”

I get what she’s saying, because everyone is kind of relying on Adelbert right now. But I want her to be happy there. Maybe I was hoping he’d be trying a bit harder to make her comfortable.

I give Cece an understanding smile. “You’re way too kind for him. How are you staying busy?”

“You know, enjoying nature, walking around outside, within a hundred-yard perimeter obviously. He mapped it out for me.” Cece’s expression shifts to one of excitement as she leans closer to the camera. “Dede, it’s so beautiful here, it reminds me of that dream I had of the woman dancing in the meadow, the one that I embroidered.”

My skin tingles with what that could possibly mean. “After all the magical things that have happened, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s actually a real place there and you were meant to find it. Can you show him pictures of the embroidery piece and see if he recognizes it?”

“Oh, I don’t want to be a bother. He’s really busy.” Her phone lowers a fraction, and her shoulders slump forward.

“Florence,” I warn, raising my eyebrows.

“Sadie,” she mimics my tone and expression.

I keep my tone stern as I say, “You are worthy of more than just his time. So if you have a question, just go ask it.”

I want my sister to ask for what she needs, to value herself the way I value her.

“I’ll try asking soon, okay?” She gives me a wan smile. “Now, tell me, what’s happening over there?”

“Well…” I start.

Cece’s eyebrows shoot up, and her eyes round into saucers.

“Oh my goodness, did you guys fuck?” she whispers the last word.

I love my sister. She can have such a crass mouth underneath that sugary goodness, but she’s nervous about showing that side of herself to other people.

“We didn’t fuck, exactly. But he went down on me, and I swear I felt my soul leave my body. I’ve never come so hard.” My giddiness over even just mentioning what happened tonight has got my shoulders doing a little shimmy.

“Yes! I knew all that chemistry was going to lead somewhere.” Her delighted smile is all teeth.

I feel myself go a bit shy as I say softly, “He also told me that he likes me.”

Cece scoffs, and a line forms between her brows. “What’s not to like about you? Of course he was going to fall for you.”

“No one is saying anything about falling.” I shake my head. Surely she’s overestimating his feelings for me.

“Yet.” The furrow in her brows is replaced by a confident arch as a smug grin tugs at her lips.

“Cece…”

“Sadie. That male does not strike me as someone who’ll just say something like that if he didn’t mean it. What’s got you hesitant?” She makes a good point.

“I don’t know,” I lie.

“You do. Tell me. I’m your big sister, let me help you fight your battles, even if they’re all in your head and with yourself.”

Well fuck, she’s right. I don’t want to admit this out loud, but if there’s one person who will hear me out, judgment free, it’s Cece.

“What if he likes me, and I like him back, and then Adelbert finds the fix, and then he grows bored with me without the magical link and sends me back to Kentucky by myself, but… my heart… remains in Vegas?” I try to rush the words out but stumble over the last few, admitting them out loud too hard for me.

“Oh, Dede. But what if it all works out? What if you both start liking each other, and it’s real and strong? What if he asks you to stay?” she reasons in a gentle voice.

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