Page 36 of Craving Her Vampire

“She also is the queen of the group text,” I say. I rub Daisy’s back as she digs into the food. “Get the door, Saph.”

“It’s not fair your smell is that good,” she complains as she walks to the door.

“You aren’t gaining any points with me,” Daisy mumbles.

“It’s alright, love. She’s joking.” Secretly, I love her need to defend me. Saph swings the door open.

“Vampire,” Sally calls as she strolls in. Saph follows and continues to fill a plate. “Oh…” She surveys Heath. “You are still yummy. Good to see you in the light without a bunch of demented shifters around us; the whole package is eye candy.” She waves her fingers in a circle toward his body and brings them into a fist.

Heath smirks. “Same. You are lovely.”

“Lovely,” Sally says with a silly smile. “Did you hear that vampire?” She pulls out a chair to my left.

“I did,” I answer.

“Damn,” Sally whispers, looking at Daisy. “You are sexy.” She drops an elbow to the table, her chin hitting her palm, leaning toward Daisy. “Micah is a lucky vampire. I’m Sally.”

“Hi, Sally.” Daisy smiles. “I love rabbit shifters. I knew one years ago. We were friends, but she disappeared.”

“That’s a shame,” Sally says seriously. Saph jerks the chair back beside Sally, frowning. “What’s your problem?” Sally twists around.

“She likes you.” Saph gestures at Daisy.

“Of course she does. Who doesn’t?” Sally helps herself to the food.

“Daisy doesn’t like how Saph teases me,” I explain.

“Ah…” Sally bites in the drumstick. She chews slowly, looking between the women. “Daisy, you have to know Micah doesn’t think of Saph in that way. Saphira, you should ease up. Daisy just met her mate and will be on edge until they are fully bonded.”

“It won’t stop then,” Daisy says, reaching for the mashed potatoes.

“I’m sorry,” Saph offers. “I do love Micah, but as a dad figure.”

Daisy snarls. “Don’t use that term,” I advise.

“Why?” Saph asks, and Sally smothers her laugh with a spoonful of potatoes. “What am I missing?”

“Oh, girl,” Sally says, her mouth full.

“I know,” Heath says, raising a chicken breast, and I smack him.

I open my mouth to explain tactfully, but Daisy beats me to it. “Because he may have raised you, but isn’t your Dad. He’s mine. When all of you leave, and he fucks me, I will be the one calling him Daddy.” She pays no attention to the shocked silence at the table, closing her eyes as she eats some potatoes smothered in gravy. “Mate, I love potatoes in any form.”

“Noted,” I grin.

“Oh my,” Saph whispers. “Shit, I wasn't thinking.” I feel sorry for her. Saphira isn’t the most experienced with men. When she was younger, she was almost raped in the Games. A bunch of humans kidnapped shifters, held them in cages, and hunted them. One of the Hunters tried to rape her and would have succeeded if River, a wolf shifter, hadn’t have helped Bishop kill him.

“I get it,” Daisy tells her, but her eyes are on me. My perceptive mate can already read me well. “We will start again.” In a show of forgiveness, Daisy leans back, reaches into her pocket, and holds out Saphira’s bracelet. “Sorry, it’s a habit.” Saph looks from Daisy’s palm to her bare wrist, her fingers circling it.

“How did you do that?”

Daisy shrugs. “Practice.”

“Will you teach me?” Saph asks, grabbing the beads and sliding them back on her wrist.

“Sure.” The tension dissipates, and my mate bends over her plate.

“Darn,” Sally pouts, looking at her wrist, which has no fewer than ten bracelets. I shake my head and take my first bite. Thefood would normally be appetizing, but now I only want my mate’s blood.

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