Page 27 of A Vow for the Vamp
“Nice to meet you, Puppy!” Layla yells as she exits the penthouse.
“Puppy?”
“Don’t mind her.”
He gives the oil painting of an old man praying one more glance before turning to me. “Did he give that to you personally?”
“Iboughtit from him personally.”
I just realized that Teddy changed the record to Etta James.A Sunday Kind Of Loveplays and it’s the only sound in the apartment. The song is romantic... Sensual.
He walks to where I stand, setting his drink down and holding out his hand. “You owe me a dance.”
“I don’t think now is the time—”
“Come dance with me, Millie.” His demanding tone lights up my body.
How can this mere human make me melt into a puddle?
I take his hand and he leads me to the center of the living room. He snakes his arm around my waist and tugs me to his body. We take small steps, slowly turning in circles while swaying to the smooth notes. I can’t help leaning my head on Teddy’s shoulder.
Because he’s being so kind and gentle with me despite learning I’m a cold-blooded killer.
“Tell me everything,” he says, his breath fanning the top of my head. “Starting with how old you are.”
“I’m… 500 years old.”
He sucks in a sharp breath.
“I was turned when I was thirty. A vampire named Henry. He was going to kill my family, and I begged him to take me instead. Spare their lives, and in turn, he gets mine. A vow for the vamp, offering my soul.”
Teddy’s palm slides up and down my back, soothing me. Encouraging me to continue.
“He turned me. Then…”
My voice breaks. We stop dancing and Teddy pulls back. He cups my cheek.
“What is it, Milli Vanilli?”
The silly nickname makes me smile because it’s cheesy, but it’s mine, and I’ve never had a silly nickname before.
Teddy’s bright and accepting self has somehow relaxed me, and I’m able to confess the worst thing I’ve ever done.
“He forced me to kill my own family.”
Teddy immediately brings me in for a hug, and the move surprises me because I can’t remember the last time someone held me like this and consoled me, allowing me to just...feel. I start crying, sobbing into his chest and not even caring that he’ll see the horror of my blood-stained cheeks after. I shake against his body, my eyes aching and my throat tightening. He kisses the top of my head and rubs his palm over my back.
“I hated him,” I continue, still nuzzled against my sunshine man. I’m bleeding all over the Milli Vanilli shirt.Still, I don’t care. Not when he’s treating me with such compassion. “The moment he sired me, my life belonged to him. He could control me. Force me to do his bidding. For the first three hundred years of my vampire life, I killed. I tortured. And I enjoyed it.”
I peel myself out of Teddy’s hold and step back.
“I’m a monster.” I point at my face.
He stares back with soft eyes. No fear. No judgment.
He’s too good for me.
I turn away from him, but he comes up behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders. He smooths them down my arms and then back up before moving a piece of hair out of the way.
