Page 17 of Obsessed in Blood
“Come here, my dear. Let me get a look at those bruises.”
I waited for the vamp to finish serving then walked over to him. He took my hand and pulled me close. Without asking, he pushed my robe aside and lifted my nightgown. I pushed his hand away, and he grabbed my wrist. Those dark pools locked with my gaze, and I fell into their depths.
“Don’t ever push me away when I’m trying to help. Understood?”
I nodded. For some reason, I didn’t want to disappoint him.
He ran his hand up my leg as he pushed the nightgown up. His fingers were warm against my skin. He ran a thumb over the bruise. “I can get you some ointment to help that heal faster.” His hand moved higher until it reached my hip.
“I’ll need you to stay in your room for another day, then you can move around the house. I don’t want you to over-exert yourself.”
His eyes never left mine throughout the entire exchange, and I leaned into him. His scent was an earthy musk, and my nose wrinkled. Not my favorite. Yet, something drew me to him, and I was quite aware that his hand was on my naked hip. It gripped me tight, sending small shivers through me.
He smiled. “Let’s eat.”
He removed his hand in one swift motion, and I stared down at him, not understanding what happened. My cheeks grew hot when stalker vamp held out his hand for me to sit. His gaze was heated as it roamed over my body, and he didn’t seem to have any issue with Lorenzo seeing it.
Once I was seated, he went back to his corner like a good little robot.
Lorenzo entertained me with stories of his childhood. He was raised a spoiled little rich kid. Who was he now? He lifted a napkin and dabbed at the corners of his mouth. It was a sensuous mouth.
I licked my lips, and his gaze followed the motion.
Then he stood. “I have several meetings today so I won’t be able to see you again until dinner. Remember you’re to rest today.”
“I remember.”
He kissed the top of my head and lingered, his hand running over my shoulder and down my arm. “Be a good girl.”
He opened the door, and I glanced at stalker vamp.
“Can’t you take this guy with you?”
Lorenzo glanced at his vamp and then back at me. “He’s here for your protection.”
“Can’t he do that outside in the hallway? It’s a bit creepy waking up to see him standing in the corner. I won’t be able to sleep.”
That seemed to do the trick. He nodded at the vamp, who immediately walked out the door but not before giving me another one of his lecherous glares.
Lorenzo strolled back and lifted my chin with a finger. “I can’t take a chance that anyone will hurt you again. I want to make sure you’re safe so you can forget the past and concentrate on our future.”
Then he was gone.
My body shook, but not from the thought of his fingers running up my leg. I caught his words. He didn’t say to concentrate onmyfuture. He wanted me to concentrate onourfuture. And as much as one part of me was excited by his statement, another part of me, way deep down, was terrified.
ChapterSix
Sergi drovethrough the quiet streets of the Garden District while Devon watched the passing houses. The yards were canopied by ancient oak trees, and a wide array of colors burst from crape myrtles, bougainvillea, and magnolias. The sweet, cloying scent mixed with the sultry air, and he made a promise that he’d bring Cressa here. Just the two of them.
“Lafitte only spent a minute with me and Cressa. Perhaps this will be the same.” Sergi had said little since they’d left Santiga Bay.
“I hope so. I didn’t come here to spend time pandering to another House leader, especially one who was quick to put distance between our Houses.”
“You can’t blame Lafitte or any other House leader for taking a step back until the Council ruled. And he didn’t put distance between us. Only you.”
It shouldn’t have bothered him. He would have done the same thing. Betting one’s House on a single vampire with strong evidence against him would have been foolish. And Girard Lafitte, leader of the House, sounded gracious if not somewhat demanding that he stop by. Considering it was dusk, it most likely meant they’d have to stay for dinner.
“You’re right. If this were any other time, the invitation would please me. Our time is limited if Lorenzo is mesmerizing Cressa.”
