Page 21 of Top Secret Vampire

I held her as she sent messages to the platforms.

“Are you ready to go to my place?” I asked after, and she nodded.

I mistified us both to my living room. While I went to my bedroom to pack a bag, I left her at the expanse of large windows with a stunning view of the Atlantic.

“Gorgeous,” she murmured as I strode from the room.

I grinned. Her home was equally stunning. If we ended up together, where would we choose to live?

And I was getting ahead of myself thinking we could have something permanent. We were true mates, but that didn’t mean she’d ever feel the same for me as I would for her.

I was destined to love this woman. Destined to cherish her always. I’d find a way to make this work.

When I was finished, I found her out on my back deck, leaning against the railing. After lowering my bag to the decking, I stared at her, warmth spreading through my chest. Her dark hair danced with the breeze, moonlight framing her eyes that I swore held galaxies. Every slender line and curve of her belonged more to art than reality. Her grace and kindness calmed my world.

My heart hummed with newfound tenderness each time she smiled, and I marveled at how amazing it was to feel that formerly dead organ thudding for this woman alone.

Being with her was like gently turning the pages of a favorite book, revealing details I’d missed before. When I first met her, my feelings were whispers, soft and uncertain, but they were growing louder, weaving themselves into the fabric of my soul. With her, something inside me had begun to flourish. She would become an irreplaceable part of everything I was or would ever be.

She must’ve sensed me watching, because she turned, smoothing her hair off her face, her smile making my chest ache. “There you are.”

“Here I am.” Always. I’d remain with her for as long as she’d allow. Watching out for her. Making sure she was safe. And doing all I could to bring happiness to her every moment. “Are you ready to leave?”

With a nod, she strode over to me and after I’d lifted my bag and hung the strap over my shoulder, she stepped into my arms as if this was the only place she’d ever want to be.

I held her as I transported us to her office once more.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the spinning feeling I get when you do that,” she said with a laugh. “But it’s fun to zip from one place to another.”

“I’ll take you wherever you wish to go. Paris for dinner one night? Or perhaps you’d rather visit the pyramids of Egypt. We could take a tour.”

“Without luggage,” she said with a smirk. “Though I’ll note you were able to bring your bag here.”

“I can transport a few things. But don’t let the lack of luggage hold you back. I’ll buy you a beautiful dress for that dinner in Paris. Pants and a long-sleeved shirt, plus a big broad hat to shield your face from the sun while we tour the pyramids.” Could she hear the husky need in my voice? “Whatever you want is yours.”

“That’s sweet of you, Wolf. Watch out, or I’ll take you up on these offers one of these days.”

Did this mean she saw a future for us? The realization both stunned me and thrilled through me like liquid flames.

“Let me show you where you can stay.” She eased around me and left the room with me right behind. We took the stairs to the second floor. “My room overlooks the water. I’ll put you next to me.”

“I’ll hear if you call out to me no matter where you are.”

“Nothing beats a vampire’s hearing, am I right?” Her mood sobered. “I hope I don’t need your PI services forever. As for the rest . . .” Her smile bloomed as she opened a door on the right and stepped inside the room. “I think you’ll be comfortable here. The curtains should keep out most of the light while you sleep, and look,” her low laugh punctuated the word. “A real bed. No coffin.”

“I haven’t slept in a coffin since I was a teenager.”

“When was that, Wolfie? The eleven hundreds?”

That imp. I lifted my hands, though I held back my claws, and advanced on her while she giggled, backing away. “One day soon, little one, you’ll pay for your impertinence.”

“I look forward to it.” She spun on her heel and strode away from me as if I, a master vampire, had not just threatened her. Almost. Maybe. I’d held up my hands and told her she’d pay, correct? That must be about the same thing, the closest I’d ever come to threateningher. She opened a door on the side of the room. “There’s a bathroom through here. Please let me know if you need anything. I have spare toiletries if you like to brush your fangs at night.”

“They retract and only drop down at my command.”

“Interesting.” Turning, she leaned against the wall beside the door, her gaze flicking down my form. “I’d love to hear anything you’d like to share about your species. Such as . . .” Her hand fluttered at her throat where, even feet away, I could hear the delicious pulsation of blood rushing through her veins. “Can I stock up on blood bags for you? Though, honestly, I’m not sure where I’d buy it.”

“Some thrill in donating blood to us.”

---