Page 41 of Sexual Appetites of Vampires

“I take it the theme is togetherness?”

“A good theme, don’t you think?”

“I do,” she said, wishing their togetherness could go beyond today.

“So, after you finish your tea what would you like to do?”

She was quick to answer, “Play in the snow.”

His brow knitted, though humor remained in his dark eyes. “I have to warn you. I make a mean snowball and my aim is perfect.”

“Not as perfect as mine,” she said, puffing out her chest.

“Now that’s a challenge I can’t ignore.”

They talked and laughed and as soon as she finished her tea she went to her room and changed into leggings and a knit top. Michael had more clothes and fur-lined boots waiting for her when she met him in the foyer.

He had changed into jeans, a heavy sweater, and boots.

He held two pairs of sweatpants out to her and a sweatshirt plus a sweater. Once she put them and the boots on, he wrapped a knit scarf around her neck and playfully tugged her up against him.

“You will let me know if you get cold,” he said and kissed her.

“I won’t get cold; I have your kisses to warm me.”

He kissed her again. “Does that mean if I kiss you enough, you just may melt the snow?”

She brushed her cheek against his and whispered, “Touch me and we’ll both be so hot the snow will evaporate in no time.”

“Don’t tempt me or your backside will get frostbite.”

She stepped away from him, snatching the knit hat that stuck out of his jean pocket and pulling it down snugly on her head. “Not if I ride you.”

A hint of red popped in Michael’s eyes, and she quickly yanked the front door open and ran out, falling into a mountain of snow.

They were like two teenagers making the most of a snow day. They made snow angels, a snowman and had a snowball fight that to Michael’s surprise Lara won.

At first Lara was concerned that Michael would get cold, having added no other clothes to what he had on. Then sherealized that he didn’t feel the cold like humans did, and yet he appeared so very human.

Kisses intermingled with their fun and laughter and Lara fought to keep the thought of what a wonderful life she could have with this man. She warned herself to think and live only in the moment, not to go beyond, for if she did, she knew sorrow would strike her heart.

Lara’s grumbling stomach warned it was passed lunchtime and brought their play to an end. Lara made hot chocolate for herself, and they took their plates, veggies for Michael and a hearty soup for Lara, into the room off the kitchen to enjoy.

Lara once again was in her skirt and knit top and Michael had slipped out of his jeans, wet from the snow, and into black sweatpants and left on the light gray knit top that had been under his sweater.

They talked and laughed, no longer the strangers they had been upon meeting, now—not only friends—but lovers.

“I was thinking,” Lara said when they finished eating.

“Hopefully, the same I’ve been thinking,” Michael said with a smile.

“Staying out of my head, how very nice of you.”

His smile faded. “More that you’ve been keeping me out of your head.”

“I’m learning,” she said, sticking out her chest proudly.

“So, you have, though I miss being there, miss you calling out to me.”

---