Page 57 of Tempting the Dhampir

To stay.

With some extra pep in my step, I hit the shower and get ready for the day.

I can hear Sadie in her room listening to music, the sound dull as it’s probably coming through headphones. It gives me time to make her coffee and arrange things around the suite.

By now I’ve learned to perfect her iced caramel latte, and I add a dollop of whipped cream on top. Coffee in hand, I head to her room.

The music is louder but still muffled here, and she doesn’t hear my knock. Deciding to risk it, I open the door quietly.

The sight greeting me has a broad grin stretching across my face, crinkling my eyes. My heart takes off at a gallop once again, and I place my free hand on my chest to try to keep it in place.

She’s in front of the mirror in her oversized T-shirt from last night, makeup brush in hand, holding it as a microphone as she lip-synchs and dances along to a song on her headphones. That’s why she didn’t hear me when I knocked.

Watching her move her hips and dance along to the choreography of the song is spellbinding. The bright morning sun shines on her like a spotlight in the all-white bedroom. Before I can stop myself, I feel my own hips start to sway to the beat.

When the choreography changes and she does a cute little butt wiggle, I know I’ll do anything to keep her.

To make her mine.

Realizing she’s still unaware of my presence, I open the door wider and knock loudly. I thought she’d scream or at least be startled, but she throws me a smirk and a wink over her shoulder.

“Wondered how long you were just going to stand there and stare,” she says smugly as she moves the headphones to lie around her neck.

“You knew I was here?” I ask, surprised, taking a step into the room.

Sadie keeps moving her hips to the faint beat coming through the headphones. “I’m not sure how long you were standing there, but that smile on your face was very satisfying, and I wanted to see if it would stay there. So I kept dancing and let you enjoy the show.”

“Ten out of ten,” I praise. “Would love to see it again.”

“It’s obviously a very effective song. You looked—no, stared—even without me being all done up,” she says proudly.

“You’re beautiful, with or without makeup. The sexiest thing is when you’re comfortably you, whether in a glittery dress or a plain T-shirt. It’s one of the most attractive qualities about you, that you can unapologetically be yourself and dress in clothes that make you happy,” I confess, my face and voice earnest.

I don’t want her to doubt me, so I’ll be honest and straightforward until she understands that I meant what I said last night.

Sadie tilts her head and studies my face. “I think you really mean that.”

“I do.” I hold her coffee out toward her. “Now, come take your coffee and head to the living room, I have a little something for you.”

It’s so hard to be cool when I’m actually sweating bullets. I hope she likes what I did.

“Extra whipped cream! Thank you.” She takes a sip and beams at me.

Stretching onto her tiptoes, she plants a kiss on my cheek.

I swear fireworks go off around me, in me, my heart filling to the brim, my stomach doing fanciful cartwheels.

And all that from a peck on the cheek.

I stare down at Sadie, completely speechless. Happy. Encouraged by her making such a sweet gesture.

I love when she’s playful and teases me, but this is a whole new ball game. And I’m up next.

I allow the giant grin that’s bubbling up to take over. “Hi,” I say to her, all breathily.

“Hi,” she sighs back, cheeks turning a beautiful rosy pink.

“Come here.” I hold out my hand, and Sadie slips hers in mine easily.

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