Page 42 of Visions in Blood
At some point, she’d turned into him with her head thrown back.She pulled him closer until she cradled his head, her fingers roaming through his hair, and when he claimed her lips, she met his passion with her own.He wrapped an arm around her waist, lost in the moment, and unable to step away.He’d never felt this way with any female, especially a human.But he was drawn to her as surely as a moth to a flame.Their shared dreams meant something—foretold future events that confirmed this woman belonged in his life.The dreams could just as easily be nothing more than a reflection of her attraction to him, but in this moment, with her in his arms, he couldn’t muster the concern.She’d smothered all his reasoning except the deep knowledge that this was right.His decades-long journey in search of the truth had led him to this moment.
Her hands had found a way under his shirt.Her fingers were light as butterfly wings as they explored.His kiss became urgent, needy, and assertive, and she didn’t fight it.Her need was as great as his own, but he broke away.Her soft protest urged him on as he moved back to her neck, his own hands just as curious as they roamed beneath her sweater, knowing exactly how to elicit a cry from her when his fingers found a nipple.
Her knee pressed against his thigh, slowly rubbing its way higher while her hand drifted lower, searching for his zipper.He pushed her arms away and lifted her sweater to kiss the underside of her breasts, the chill of the air forming goosebumps over her flesh.She arched back when his tongue flicked over a tip.
He’d gone too far now to stop.Didn’t want to stop.Needed more.So much more.
An obnoxious beep sounded from far away, growing louder until it broke through his erotic haze.He wanted to ignore it, still under Cressa’s enchantment, but a different urgency broke in as the beeping increased.He stepped away, his forehead falling on her chest as he tugged her sweater down.
“Just turn it off.”She kissed the top of his head, and tried to pull him back, but he took another step back, reaching for his phone.
He didn’t need to look at the message to know who’d texted, but he did anyway.She wouldn’t like something else taking priority over what had almost just happened.Though maybe this was the metaphorical cold shower he needed to prevent whatever was between them from going further.At least until after she was no longer indebted to him.
“I have to go.”
He cupped her face, and her disappointment was plain to see.He wanted to explain, but this wasn’t the time.Not yet.They had a mission to complete and couldn’t afford to be distracted.
“I wanted you to know about this spot.”
“Is there news?Something about Ginger?”
“Nothing like that.I’ll see you in the morning.”He wanted to give her a last kiss, but she’d taken a couple steps back, her earlier desired-filled gaze tamped down.
He turned and raced down the stairs, undecided whether he should be grateful to Decker or knock him on his ass for the interruption.
ChapterFifteen
Simone droveinto the valet line at the Emporium Tea House, which was rumored to be the most popular among the aristocrats.This would be quite different than the first tea house she’d taken me, or so she promised.I wasn’t convinced Devon would approve of me hobnobbing with the upper crust, but if anything went sideways, I’d let her explain it to him.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”I glanced at the vehicles in the lot—all high-end models and several limos.It wasn’t that I didn’t trust her.It was all the other vamps, who might take a dislike to me.We could easily be outnumbered.
“No one would dare take advantage at a tea house.I assure you the Council would take immediate action with the severest of penalties.”
“Comforting words for my family,” I muttered, but my nerves took a breather with the conviction of her words.Anna had mentioned, during one of her etiquette lessons I typically napped through, that the tea houses were sacrosanct among the vamps and all animosities were left at the door.Never hurt to have a vamp confirm it.
“Is it the tea house you’re worried about or not knowing where Devon went?”
The valet attendant opened my door, saving me from having to answer.It was a ridiculous question.What did I care where he went?Even if it seemed more important than the wild, crazy, passionate whatever that had been happening on the roof.I followed Simone as she led us through the door that opened as we approached.Besides, I might be mildly curious about where he went, but who wouldn’t want to know what a vamp was up to in the middle of the night?
Once we were seated in a private booth with a view of the dark ocean, she continued her assertions.“You’re the first human I’ve seen so closely involved with his business, but you need to remember your place.”
I glanced down at my hands.My place.An employee.I inwardly snorted.Not even that.More an indentured hireling.
“Don’t pout.I didn’t say that to demean you.Your role in Devon’s household is a Blood Ward.While we both know what that truly means in your case, it will be more believable to others if you truly acted the part—in both public and private settings.Even at home you should act as a Blood Ward would.”
“I’m still not sure what a Blood Ward should be doing.I mean, he’s taken me to parties, and I assumed I’d acted well enough since he didn’t say otherwise.”
Simone nodded.“I agree.From what I saw the evening of the ball, your actions before the theft were acceptable.Although, Devon mentioned he found you drinking and placing bets on a billiards game with two male vampires at Gruber’s tea party.That is unacceptable.”
“So, okay as long as I’m hanging on Devon’s arm.Not okay to be on my own unless I’m in the process of stealing something.”Funny that Devon hadn’t mentioned he’d left me alone for an hour at the tea party.
Her brows narrowed.“You’re not making fun of me, are you?”
I glanced around then swallowed my smile along with a piece of antipasto.The last thing I wanted to see were fangs at a restaurant.“Of course not.Like I said, no one gave me a handbook.”
“Which is why your training with Anna is essential and should not be curtailed.”
I rubbed my forehead.There was so much to learn, most of it having nothing to do with the mission.Good grief, I didn’t even know how long it would take to work off my debt—weeks or months.God forbid not years.
