Page 46 of Lucas
“Survival is a strong instinct. It doesn’t matter the species.”
“I’ve never asked, but do you think this book can be as damaging as everyone believes? Cressa doesn’t talk about it. Does it really hold the truth of vampire and dreamwalker history?”
“I can only guess at what might be in the book, but it must be something that could upend vampire society. Fiona and Philipe have been in hiding for decades. That either makes them extremely paranoid or terrified of the book’s authenticity.”
“My ass hurts. I think I’ll run in and get us dinner. The store will be closing soon.”
We ate our premade salads and fruit at the table in our motel room. I finished my glass of wine and disappeared into the bathroom after grabbing a bag out of the duffel.
I slipped out of my clothes, took a quick shower, and put on a skimpy nightie I’d found on sale. Cressa always said I could find a gem in a coal mine. It wasn’t fancy, but it showed plenty of skin, which was the entire point.
We hadn’t had sex since the night before he’d been injured. During our stakeouts, he’d take a break to run through histraining program while I watched the store. He was back to his fighting speed, which told me he was ready for other vigorous exercises.
I grinned as I folded up my leggings and tunic and stepped into the room. He was head down studying a local map and making notes. I didn’t know what he was hoping to find, but sometimes it was his general interest in learning rather than anything to do with a mission.
He didn’t notice as I dropped my clothes on the duffel and stepped up behind him. I ran my hands over his shoulders, gently massaging them. He leaned into it, though partly by reflex, while he remained focused on the map. When I moved my hands down his back, continuing my massage, he dropped the pen as I moved below his hips.
Satisfied I had his attention, I moved my hands back up to his shoulders and down his chest while I nibbled at an ear and then his neck. When that didn’t seem to be enough, I blew a soft whisper along the back of his neck.
He moved so swiftly, I gasped, then giggled when he lifted me in his arms. His gaze glowed an electric blue when he took in the nightie.
“You read my mind.” His kiss was hot, passionate, and unforgiving.
I writhed in his arms, his lips never leaving mine as he laid me down, covering me with his body. I pushed at him, wanting to be the seducer, but he wasn’t going to budge. And the molten heat sweeping across my body overrode any salient thought I had.
He pushed the strap off my shoulder and freed a breast. After that, I’m not sure I could recall anything else. It was all arms and legs and breasts and cock and heated touches. Lips and tongues, and the erotic feel of skin on skin.
I lost track of time, and we didn’t come up for air until we were both damp with sweat, our breaths coming fast, our heartbeats pounding against each other’s chest. It was raw and desperate. I wanted more, but we fell asleep in each other’s arms. I’d take care of the next round in the morning.
Sometime later, a knock on the door made us both jump out of bed like someone had thrown the melted remains of the ice bucket over us. We dressed quickly before each grabbing a weapon. I moved toward the bathroom, hovering in my fighter’s stance.
At this point, the nightie seemed an unfortunate clothing choice. I should have taken the time for leggings, but Lucas was too fast. He moved on silent feet and peered through the peephole. Then he laid his forehead against the door.
He glanced back at me, was going to say something, but a strange smile caught the corners of his lips. He opened the door and swung it wide.
“Hello, Rom.”
A dark-haired vamp stood in the doorway, giving Lucas a studied perusal. He gripped Lucas’s upper arms, pulling him in for what I assumed was a brotherly hug when his gaze caught mine.
He stared as a slow grin spread across his handsome face.
I was still in my fighter’s stance, dagger in my right hand, and in my nightie. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment at being caught like this.
He was still gripping Lucas, but his eyes never left mine when he responded to Lucas’s greeting. “Ah, mon pote. Who do we have here?”
Chapter Eighteen
After openingthe door to Rom and seeing his gaze light up at Ginger, Lucas turned to see her as Rom might be viewing her. And that’s when it hit him that he should have given her time to change. She hadn’t shifted a foot as she stood there in her nightgown, dagger held in an offensive gesture, ready for an attack.
Rom would see a beautiful woman in a skimpy negligee grabbing a dagger he would assume belonged to Lucas. But to him, she was a striking warrior, even with her rosy cheeks. She held her stance while studying Rom, who wore his mischievous grin, before glancing past him to Bella and Jacques, who had followed him in.
They only gave her a quick glance, noted her dagger, and Bella nodded with approval.
“Well, I guess now it’s a party.” Ginger lowered her weapon and turned to the duffel, picking up the clothes she’d been wearing earlier. “I’ll just change.” She gave Lucas an annoyed glance. “You might want to put some coffee on.” Then, dagger still in hand, she disappeared into the bathroom.
“Now, I know why you went silent for three days.” Rom’s brows wiggled before he turned serious. “All kidding aside, you look a bit pale.”
Lucas greeted Bella and Jacques with a nod then busied himself with the coffee. “I’m mostly back to full strength, but I could use a decent blood donor. It’s been nothing but sips since Ginger found me in the parking lot. But let’s wait for her. I can tell you what she shared while I was healing, but you might have questions.”
