Page 31 of Shift in the Blood
“Because I’m going to make sure he knows that you are under my protection, and if he wishes to engage with you, he will deal with me.” I came to stand closer to her, wanting to ease the feeling of fear and pain and worry I felt from her. “I’ll also make sure he doesn’t bother your sister.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes glittered, the welling tears visible even in this low light.
“You’re Chosen by me. No one gets to harass you any longer. You make your own choices. No one else makes them for you.”
“Not even you?”
“Not even me.”
I was not prepared. Her heart had been hammering wildly since we first entered the gallery, so it was hard to tell when something was changing within her. She threw open her arms, and launched herself at me. Even with my vampire speed, I was caught off guard.
Her lips came down on mine, and I felt her need, her desire.
My own echoed in the tightening of my body, of my cock. Jesu, I wanted her.
“No.” I put her away from me. Not like this. It couldn’t be like this, when we were still so new to one another, when she was feeling overwhelmed, maybe grateful, and definitely lost.
“I thought you… I mean… I thought.” She stopped, and turned away, her shoulders hunched in on themselves.
“No, Clara, you don’t understand—” I started to explain.
She cut me off. “I understand. I would like to study the paintings in this room, and then I’ll do the paintings you commissioned.” Her back stayed to me, and her arms were wrapped around her waist.
Christ. I felt about two feet tall. “Clara, if I could—”
She held up a hand. “I’m going to bed now, if you don’t mind. It’s been a long day.”
Manners took over. “Of course. Can I get you—”
“I’m fine.” Head still down, she strode out of the gallery and through the first two rooms.
What in the name of all the saints had just happened? She’d been so happy to be here. I’d felt not only her happiness, but that of being able to share something so important. Then she’d kissed me, which was, frankly, my dearest wish.
It had only been a day. She was in dire straits emotionally. She didn’t need me influencing her decision. I already felt that her situation had influenced her with regard to the patronage. I didn’t want to add to it.
I took my time locking up the gallery, trying to sort out not only what happened, but what I ought to do.
When I went upstairs, I had no more idea than when Clara had run out of the gallery. I’d have to wait. I needed to be on my game tonight to make sure that Maxim was never one of Clara’s concerns again.
Chapter Eleven
Clara
I’d never been more humiliated. Yes, I’d only met him last night. Yes, he pushed all, and I do mean all, my buttons. Yes, my life was a mess. But it didn’t change what I felt for him. It didn’t change what I thought he might also be feeling.
I was very, very wrong.
There was only one thing left to do. To complete the commission, and end the patronage. Then I could go somewhere that Didier Hugo wasn’t and try to get on with my life. I should call Carina, but I didn’t want to hear the ‘I told you so’ that would be forthcoming. I didn’t want to admit I’d gone off and made a decision that was wrong.
Perhaps Didier was right to refuse my advances. Perhaps I was too big of a mess. Perhaps.
That didn’t ease the hurt.
I laid on my bed and cried myself to sleep.
The next morning, when I went down to the kitchen, Neville and Mrs. B. were there, eating.
“Would you like some?” Mrs. B. was up immediately.
