Page 43 of Perfectly Perfect Pixie

Bree offered up another abbreviated smile. Vamps were like that. Showing fang was considered either rude or aggressive. Wide smiles were typically inflammatory and kept to a minimum.

I stared out the window, glaring at the dark and increasing cold. I hated covering my feet, but the lowered temperatures made going outside barefoot increasingly uncomfortable. Thank the goddess, I’d talked Phil into letting Sedrick know about pixie boots. Wiggling my toes, I enjoyed their soft cotton touch. I’d rather go barefoot, but the plush surface wasn’t too bad.

The city lights flared to life as we closed in on the town. Dusk was moderately lit. The clientele the club attracted typically had better eyesight than humans, and the Vegas glare of lights wasn’t really to their liking.

Bree pulled into a darkened parking garage. It wasn’t below ground, but it was completely enclosed once you got through the main door. Vamps were typically good about going to ground before the sun was a threat.

I opened my door before Bree put the car in park. I’d learned I needed to be that quick if I wanted to beat her to opening my door. I didn’t like that either, and it was one area she seemed unwilling to bend on. Bree threw me a pouty glare that held little heat.

My feet barely hit the ground before my wings flared to life, lifting me off the cold cement. Bree was only a little taller than me, a little less than average for a human female. She had stick-straight dark brown hair cut in what humans strangely referred to as a pixie cut. I still had no idea why. Pixies didn’t cut their hair, and if they did, it wouldn’t be anywhere near that short.

I shrugged off the thought. I had no idea why humans did half the things they did or why they named things like they did. I had no desire to spend another mental moment pondering their odd ways.

The door to the connected garage opened, revealing the handsomest male I’d ever laid eyes on. Phil would no doubt contradict me, but Lucroy Moony took my breath away. Had I not been so angry and worried about Phil the first time I’d charged into Dusk, I would have been struck dumb. At the time, my emotions had been otherwise consumed.

Now, nothing was stopping me from marveling at the milk-pale skin, translucent enough that Lucroy’s veining peeked through. Lucroy’s hair was so black it almost shone blue. The cut wasn’t modern, but Lucroy hadn’t lived his first life recently. Regardless, he looked timeless, standing there in a burgundy button-down, long-sleeved shirt and dark gray slacks. Those blacker-than-night eyes burned into my soul, sucking it as dry as Lucroy wanted to drain my blood.

“Peaches.” The way Lucroy said my name sent shivers of pleasure racing down my spine. His voice was rarely full of warmth, and when Lucroy said my name, it was no different. Some might think it cool and indifferent, but even the cold burned.

By now, I was used to Lucroy’s typical greeting and held my hand up, palm down so he could lay a kiss on the back. Without taking his eyes off me, Lucroy said, “You may go now, Bree. I’ll contact you when Peaches is ready to return home.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Bree answered. I wasn’t sure if that was totally true, but she never acted like I was a bother.

When Bree was gone, Lucroy pulled me into his arms, burying his nose in my neck and nuzzling my skin. “As always, you smell delicious.”

That had also become a typical greeting. It didn’t frighten me, although perhaps it should. Lucroy never took it further and left me with no doubts regarding his desire.

“I wish I knew what I smelled like,” I said when Lucroy finally pulled away. “It’s weird, not knowing.”

Laying his hand on the small of my lower back, Lucroy ushered me inside. Dusk’s typical music was quieter this early in the evening. Things wouldn’t pick up until later. I was usually on my way home by that time.

“It is difficult to describe. Apple is the overriding scent. You’re sweet, but underneath that is the coppery scent all living creatures have.” Lucroy tapped the side of his nose. “All blood smells similar, but there are subtle differences. Vampires, of course, are the experts in discerning the difference. Weres aren’t far behind, although the reason our senses are so acute to the scent of blood is most likely different.”

I wasn’t so sure. Back in the day, weres hunted prey, and it wasn’t just for shits and giggles. Weres often ate what they caught. Many weres still hunted, but those events were more ritualistic than sustenance. I wasn’t sure if Sedrick took Dillon and Ruthie out hunting or not. I thought about asking Phil, but he might find the conversation upsetting. If they did hunt, it was most likely something Phil accepted but didn’t want to think too hard on.

Tucking in close, I looked up at Lucroy. I was walking for a change. I’d found that Lucroy liked holding me close, and that was difficult when I was fluttering about.

“Are you sure you still feel well?” I asked, keeping my voice low as we entered Dusk’s main space.

Lucroy laid a kiss on the crown of my head. “I feel perfect, Peaches. In fact, I feel better than I have in centuries.”

He sounded sincere. I just hoped nothing changed. Tonight, Lucroy planned on taking more. He also planned to bite me. I was nervous with anticipation and a touch of fear. I wasn’t afraid Lucroy would truly harm me. I was more afraid the bite would hurt. I didn’t like pain.

“Good evening, Peaches. Did you have a pleasant day?” Leon met us as we rounded a hallway. I could see the first door leading to Lucroy’s underground haven.

“It was good. The sprites have the aphid situation completely under control. They’ve started work on more permanent homes, and I’ve been told these should be done before true winter sets in.” Sprites lived in trees. If there was a natural hole in part of the tree, they set up house there. If not, they built homes among the branches, close to the trunk. Right now, several of their homes were more akin to nests. They’d assured me it hadn’t gotten cold enough yet for that not to be enough. I was adamant they would let me know if they were too cold. While I didn’t want them inside the cottage on a routine basis, I was more than happy to share the warmth of my home when needed.

“They aren’t making too much of a pest of themselves?” Lucroy asked, running his fingers through my hair and playing with the ends. I’d quickly learned he loved the feel of my hair, and in turn, I loved the feel of his fingers lightly scraping across my scalp.

I shrugged within his hold. “Not really. Sometimes it’s a little much, but it’s a small price to pay, and overall, I’m enjoying their company.” Many times, I more than enjoyed it. It had taken them a few days to become comfortable, but once they were, my sprites loosened up. They were like perpetual children, dancing and spinning about. They enjoyed pranking each other and were a constant source of amusement. I didn’t regret bringing them into the orchard.

“Have you been eating well? Drinking plenty of fluids?” Lucroy asked, his brows slightly creased with worry. He’d begun allowing more expression to peek through. Seeing Lucroy’s true emotions made me feel more special than any kiss or compliment.

“I have. You don’t need to worry.”

Lucroy had told me that if I truly wanted to do this, then it was paramount that I take care of my health. The first step was making sure I was well-fed and hydrated.

“It is my job to worry.” When I started to protest, Lucroy held up a halting hand and amended, “It is my pleasure to worry. Besides, do you not worry about me?”

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