Page 73 of Daring Her Vampires
“You are stunning,” he whispers, his gaze traveling over my face. “I love being inside you.”
“You're welcome anytime.” I smile and drop my head. “My body is numb.” I could close my eyes and sleep.
“Unfortunately, they should be back soon.” He trails his hand down my side, gripping my hip.
“Today is a big day,” I mutter, thinking about greeting a witch later.
“It is. I want it done.” He rubs his face over my hair.
“Allie needs to live in peace.” I tilt my head. “You do too.”
“He’s been a looming pain in the ass for too long,” he grumbles, easing away and dropping to his back. I roll and use his bent arm as a pillow. “I would have made myself a target if I thought he would come out of hiding.”
“Of course you would,” I say, pressing my hand to his chest. “That’s what you do. Protect.”
“I don’t know how he knew about you,” he says, frowning. “He must have spies everywhere.”
“We aren’t the only shifters and vampires in town. He could have friends in the area, or could be paying someone to keep track of you. Someone else could have been at the club. We haven’t hidden our connection.” I lift a shoulder. “He won’t be a threat much longer.”
“Your confidence amazes me.” He tucks my hair behind my ear. “I want to believe it.”
“Trust it. This always happens to every couple or group. They meet, and trouble isn’t far behind. It works out in the end. We just have to stick together,” I say.
“I won’t leave your side,” he whispers. “Ever.”
“I don’t want you to.” I press against his side. “We are a team. You don’t always have to take care of everyone else. Let me bear some of the burden.”
“It’s difficult to allow that,” he admits.
“You already do it,” I inform him. “You let me calm you last night.”
“No one has been able to do it quite like you.”
“I’m the only me,” I state, kissing his chest. “Remember, you’ve been through worse than this. Fredrick is hiding because he knows he can’t face us.”
“We don’t know who else is with him. I’m sure he’s surrounded by vampires under his control.” He slides his arm around my back.
“But we are surrounded by family,” I remind him.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to being part of it,” he whispers.
“You will. It hasn’t been long. They grow on you, no matter how reluctant you are,” I snort.
“Were you reluctant?”
“Fuck no,” I say. “They were meant to be in my life. I wanted a family for so long, I didn’t fight the pull to be here, to be around them.”
“That was one of my fears when I became a vampire,” he starts, rolling. He stares at my face. “I thought my chances for a family were over. I was grateful to have Luca and Allie, yet I wished for more. Having Allie turn us was the reassurance I needed that at least we would always have each other.”
“You don’t have to wish anymore,” I say softly, and he glides his knuckles across my jaw.
“Last night meant something to me.” He drops his hand between us. “I haven’t seen them so relaxed. We’ve never called anywhere home, but this feels like home.”
“It is your home.” I kiss him briefly. “Wherever I am is home. Where Allie and Luca are, that’s home. It’s not the building you're in but the people surrounding you. You’ve always had it. The three of you have looked out for each other. Loved each other. Coming here, you’ve expanded your family.”
“Coming here, we found our center, the force that will keep us together,” he rasps, and I want to cry.
“Damn straight,” I say roughly.
