Page 95 of Bound By Blood

“Forget it, Katy. I’m not leaving you here, not with Nadiya running loose.”

“But …”

“No buts. And don’t think those tears will sway me. I don’t want to face your old man if anything happens to you or your mom. Besides, he told me he’s calling his brothers for backup.”

“He told you that?”

“We discussed his plans earlier. With all his brothers, half-brothers, and brothers-in-law, he should be all right, even against the Korzha contingent.”

Knowing further arguments wouldn’t get her anywhere, Kaitlyn rested her head on Zack’s shoulder. “I hope you’re right.”

He winked at her. “I’m always right, Katy darlin’. And now that that’s settled, I think we should get down to some serious huggin’ and kissin’.”

“Oh, you do, do you?”

“Don’t you?” He made a sad face. “Your lack of interest cuts me to the quick.”

“Oh, shut up and kiss me, you fool.”

“You’re so romantic,” Zack muttered. “Is it any wonder that I love you?”

In a move that left her gasping with surprise, he lifted her onto his lap and kissed her, a long lingering kiss that started off feather-light and gradually grew in intensity until it was an effort for her to think, to breathe. His hands—those cunning, clever hands—slid seductively over her back, along her hips and thighs. She leaned into him, wanting to feel his skin on hers, wanting to drag him down to the ground and explore every inch of him.

Zack lifted his head, his eyes hot. “I’m willing if you are.”

“What?” She stared at him. “Are you reading my mind?”

“So it would seem.”

“But … how is that possible?”

“I told you, the more often we share blood, the stronger the link becomes.”

She blinked at him, her mind racing. Zack … could you turn me?”

“What?”

“Make me a vampire like you are.”

“Why on earth would you want that? You’ve got the best of both worlds now.”

“I know, but I want to be able to zap myself across the street or across the world. I want to be able to dissolve into mist. Or turn into a wolf.”

“If you want to zip across the country, I’ll take you. As for dissolving into mist …” He shrugged. “It comes in handy now and then, I’ll admit, but mostly it’s overrated.”

“But being able to turn into a wolf, now that’s cool. I watched you when you were fighting Nadiya’s men. It gave you a real advantage.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

“So, will you?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even know if it’s possible to change from one kind of vampire to another. Even if was possible, what would your parents think? What would your father think?”

“That’s a silly question. We both know he’d be against it. I’m not sure about my mom.” Kaitlyn bit down on her lower lip. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. If she was a vampire like Zack, there would be no more shared meals with her mom, no more going out to lunch together and then on a shopping spree, no more balmy days by the lake. Of course, when she married Zack and they went back to Tahoe, she wouldn’t be doing those things very often anyway.

“Think about what you’d be giving up,” Zack said.

“The sunlight,” she said, thinking aloud. Would she be happy, living in a world of darkness? Never seeing the sun again, or feeling its warmth on her face? “And food.” She would miss real food—apples and oranges, artichokes and tomatoes, a good steak. Chicken and rice. And chocolate …

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