Page 54 of Awakening the Dhampir

I shook my head and tried not to smile. “Yeah, and then you came in.”

“Well, perfect,” he said with a chuckle. “Tell me what you want to change. All of it, even the dirty parts. Especially the dirty parts.”

I laughed. “I want the dresser on the shortest wall next to the door,” I replied, pointing in that direction. “Then I want to move the bed over. I can’t center it where it’s currently at and it’s driving me crazy.” I pointed at the lone window across the room. “I’d like to put a desk in the corner next to the window. It’s the only place with enough light in the room to properly see a computer screen.”

I snapped my mouth closed, realizing how weird I must’ve sounded. While falling back into my natural need to sort my space felt good to me, it also chased away everyone in my life, or at least made things really awkward.

I let my chin fall to my chest, waiting for Elliott to respond. I refused to turn and face him. I couldn’t bear to see the look on his face. He’d be like everyone else with their lips pressed closed, so they didn’t say something rude like, ‘Wow, that’s, um, interesting?’

Elliott didn’t say anything, but I could feel him close the small space between us. He didn’t touch me, but the heat from his body warmed my back.

“You’re so damn sexy when you take charge like that,” he whispered against my hair. “You know exactly what you want.”

I shivered. How could he find my quirkiest traits sexy? Did it matter? Shouldn’t I just be grateful for his acceptance?

I let my head fall back against his chest. “You’re one of the few people who hasn’t run away screaming,” I mumbled.

“I hope to be screaming your name in orgasmic bliss,” he said. “But I’ll never run away from you.”

He’d surprised me the night he talked my dhampir out of killing everyone. But tonight, it sure sounded like he was accepting me. All of me. Which was completely unexpected, and something I hadn’t realized I really wanted. No, not wanted. Needed.

I had to get over myself. I wasn’t insecure any more than I was a damsel in distress.

I turned to face him. I had to tilt my head back to see his deep blue eyes. He looked down at me with so much longing. Almost like he was afraid I’d reject him. And he still hadn’t really touched me even though no more than an inch separated us. Was he really sticking to the whole ‘let me woo you’ pledge?

“Thank you,” I said, barely above a whisper.

“Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t worshipped your body like a goddess deserves.” He winked at me. “But first, let’s make this room exactly the way you want.”

I smiled and forced down the lump in my throat. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have to worry about Elliott’s affection. His jealousy? Maybe. But he hadn't shown any green monsters earlier, so I had to assume they’d worked it out. I hoped they did. There was no way I could walk away from Kenrid or Damon.

I pushed all those thoughts aside and focused on the man currently in my space. “Thank you, Elliot.”

Chapter 21

Kenrid

Istopped several feet from the base of the sweeping steps that led to the Exiled Fae’s plantation style home. It was listed as a bed and breakfast within the city of New Orleans, but it never had any vacancies. While the fae population in the area was fairly small, they all lived inside the twelve thousand square foot home.

It had been my main residence until Lorna came into my life. I hadn’t been back since, much to the dismay of many of the Exiled Fae. After tonight, they’d be furious.

“Thank you for coming with me,” I said to Nathan, who stood at my side.

“I don’t believe I’m needed, but I would never deny my support,” he said.

I glanced at him, but his focus remained on the house.

“I still appreciate your presence,” I said. “Many of the fae here will be very unhappy with my announcement.”

Nathan stepped in front of me, giving me a hard stare. “Are you sure this is the right decision for you?”

I’d asked myself the same question so many times while we looked for Lorna. I’d decided then that I couldn’t keep my soulmate and stay with the Exiled. Giving up Lorna wasn’t an option. My life with the Exiled was now in the past, even if some of the fae would hate me for leaving them.

It wasn’t just the fae’s hate that I worried about. The Exiled Council had so many secrets that we didn’t share with Nathan or the rest of the clan. Until now, I hadn’t considered those secrets important. They were mostly fae politics that didn’t really affect anyone but the fae. Now, I wasn’t so certain.

What really concerned me was Nathan’s reaction to some of the things I would have to share with him.

“I’m sure,” I said.

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