Page 29 of Blood Bonds

“Why did you?”

He released a small sigh before admitting, “Because I wanted you to feel at ease with me.”

I nodded in understanding because, in all honestly, I had barely even had the chance to process what could have happened. No, I was too focused on Victor. And he was right, as soon as I thought he was a cop, I had felt safer around him.

“You certainly knew how to handle that guy with the gun,” I said in hopes of prompting him to explain how he did know what to do. Although I ended up being disappointed because he simply replied,

“Let’s just say that I know how to handle myself in a fight.”

“Yeah, you can say that again. I think the punk will think twice before trying to mug a guy in a suit next time.”

He laughed at that.

“I am just thankful I was there,” he told me, his fingers doing magical things when they continued to dance along my skin, now moving over the inside of my wrist.

“Me too, because let’s just say he wouldn’t have been too happy with what he found in my purse.” I inwardly winced as Ihighlighted the vast difference between us and no doubt why, in reality, anything between us would never work. It was obvious we were from two different worlds. And as if to make my point, he asked,

“Why is that?”

I swallowed down my pride and decided to voice the obvious difference between us. I needed to be honest here.

“A cheap outdated phone with a crack in the screen and a single bank card that is one withdrawal away from chewing up the plastic. Yeah, not the payday the guy was banking on, pun intended,” I said, laying it out and waiting for him to then say, “goodnight, it was nice knowing you.” However, he didn’t do this, instead he surprised me.

“It is often said that the lack of money is the root of all evil, so I admire anyone who does not let their situation in life take such a toll on their soul by letting it diminish or tarnish their good nature.”

I was shocked by this because it was such a nice compliment that it made it hard to hold back the tears. Of course, to look at him, I wanted to ask what he knew about poverty, but I didn’t want to be rude. However, my look of shock must have given away my thoughts.

“Don’t let the suit fool you, sweetheart, I was not born into wealth, for my family at one time knew the hardships of poverty well enough.”

Okay, so I knew I should have been focusing on the fact he had not been born into money, but I couldn’t help my thoughts from lingering on the sweetheart bit. Had he really called me that?

“Well, I admire anyone who can turn their lives around and do it without forgetting where they came from,” I replied, making him grin. Then to lighten the mood, I shrugged myshoulders and told him, “Plus, it could also be worse… and I’m lucky.”

“How so?” he asked as if he was genuinely interested.

“I have a great friend who let me move in with her a few years ago and charges me hardly any rent because she inherited the place. I also have a job I love, so I know I will get back on track one day,” I told him as I used my free hand to brush my hair back, tucking it behind my ear.

“What is it you do?” Again, another question aimed my way, making me wonder if he didn’t like talking about himself? Or was he really curious about my simple life? In fact, I wondered what he would have thought had I told him just how un-simple it recently turned after what happened to me last night. He would have thought I was crazy like most people would.

“I work in a bookstore at the Fulton Market Building.”

“Then you must have a love for literature,” he surmised and once again, I nudged his shoulder and teased,

“It’s a good assumption, yes.”

Damn, that grin of his was starting to become the center of my universe.

“And what is it you love to read?” he asked, and for some crazy, insane, ridiculous reason, I blurted out the most embarrassing thing yet.

“Vampire romance novels.”

He coughed as if choking back a swallow of shock, his hand gripping mine tightening for a quick second before relaxing.

“I honestly don’t know why I just told you that,” I admitted shamefully, reaching for my coffee that held nothing but froth at the bottom. And yes, the irony wasn’t lost on me after what I experienced last night.

Then why aren’t you wearing a silver cross and stuffing fistfuls of garlic in your mouth, Nessa?I secretly chastised myself.

But then he said, “You will get no judgement from me, for I was merely surprised.”

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