Page 15 of Claiming the Dhampir

As I turned and looked up, Elliott’s deep blue eyes met mine, but they didn’t stay blue. The color darkened, and his shifter magic swelled around us. I loved the feel of his magic. It was almost tangible, like a pair of arms wrapping around me and pulling me close.

I closed the space between us and leaned my forehead against his shoulder. We stood there for a moment. Elliott was always careful about initiating contact with me. He was still sticking to his plan to ‘woo’ me.

We’re definitely wooed, Mir quipped.

I smiled, grateful that she’d come out of her box.

“Lorna?” Elliott whispered.

I lifted my head and once again met his eyes. “Elliott?”

He grinned. “I love hearing my name on your beautiful lips.”

I blushed and tried to erase my smile. I shouldn’t be falling for his silly comments, but I was. I couldn’t seem to help myself. I wanted him. Knowing that it was fate pushing us together mattered less and less with every moment.

“Is it too soon to move forward in our courtship?” he asked.

I gave up the fight with my smile. Did people really still call it courtship?

“No, it’s not too soon.”

Elliott’s eyes darkened again, and the magic around us thickened. He lifted one hand and slid his fingers around the back of my neck. I stepped closer and ran my hands over his chiseled abs. I loved the way his muscles twitched with my touch.

We love it more when he’s naked, Mir said.

My face flushed again, but I refused to be embarrassed. She was right—sort of. I hadn’t seen him completely naked. His bare chest was impressive, though. The memory of his smooth skin and defined muscles sent a jolt of heat straight to my core.

“Can I kiss you?” Elliott whispered, his mouth only a breath away.

“Yes,” I replied immediately.

His lips brushed against mine, but even I wouldn’t have called it a kiss. It barely would have fallen into the chaste category. I wanted so much more, but Elliott pulled back and gave me a mischievous grin.

He’s evil, Mir hissed. He knows we want more, and he’s holding back. That teasing bastard.

He wants this just as much as we do, I argued. He won’t hold out forever.

She growled, and Elliott laughed.

“It’s not funny,” I said without thinking.

“Yes, it is,” he countered. “I love seeing you argue with your dhampir.”

I’ll show him an argument, Mir snarled.

No, you won’t!

“I’d love to know what she thinks.” Elliott released my neck and looked down at me with that same amused grin.

I wasn’t smiling, though. A flicker of uncertainty made me uneasy. Was he making fun of me and Mir? I was still getting used to having her, but I wasn’t about to let anyone insult her. It didn’t really feel like an insult, though, so why did it make me uncomfortable?

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Elliott’s smile softened and he reached out to rub his thumb along my jaw.

“Your eyes turn almost black when she’s on the surface,” he explained. “Obviously she’s feisty, but she keeps you on your toes and makes you smile more than all the rest of us put together. And I love seeing you smile.”

“Oh.”

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