Page 23 of Another One Bites the Lust
Because what I felt for Van was real.
It had grown the more I spent time with him, basking in his bright aura. He was golden sunshine to my pale moonlight. Full of life while I’d lived the same undead existence for decades. Eager to try new experiences and visit new places, easygoing as he went with the flow, even if it meant wearing an ill-fitting suit at his first art auction. And once I’d tasted his blood, experienced that fiery connection that had seared us and jolted my undead heart, I’d known it was the truth.
Despite all our differences, we were meant to be together. Bonded. Like he’d claimed—we were mates.
I continued deeper into the woods, caught up in my tangled thoughts. And then I caught the scent of a feline. It was stronger than the one I recognized, yet still recognizable as one that I’d never forget.
A sleek, black, huge jaguar stepped onto the path before me and stared up from bright, golden, inquisitive eyes—ones that reminded me of the shifter I’d fallen for. He was enormous and gorgeous.
“Van?” I whispered.
He nodded. With a tentative hand, I reached out, and he took a step closer. I ran my fingers over the top of his head, and he purred, turning so I could stroke his cheek. I trailed my fingers over his back, through his silky-soft fur.
He motioned with his head for me to follow him. I did so, and he bounded forward. Once he disappeared behind trees, I followed his scent. My skin tingled with excitement. Where was he leading me?
“Celeste.” His voice was a low rumble that stirred my senses.
I turned to see him, no longer in jaguar form, but standing upright looking more devastatingly handsome than ever in just a pair of shorts. The golden skin of his toned upper body was bathed by moonlight. He fixed an intense gaze on me that sparked a fire inside me.
Struggling to keep my composure, I smoothed my hands over the sides of my linen pants. “Why did you lead me out here, Van?”
He chuckled, and that low reverberation added more kindling to the smolder burning within. “I figured I should put some shorts on rather than shifting back in front of you.”
With the sinfully beautiful way he appeared right now and how delicious I remembered touching every inch of his beautiful body in my suite, I wouldn’t have minded that one bit. In fact, as I pictured it…
I stepped forward. “Van, about what I said last night,” I began.
His smile vanished. “I understand.” He shook his head. “You’d made it clear from the beginning that it was just supposed to be pretend.”
A man’s cruel laughter interrupted before I could respond.
“I knew it,” Lucien declared smugly as he emerged onto the path. His cold smile lingered. “A woman like Celeste could never be interested in a”—he glanced down his nose at Van and sneered—”kitten.” He tutted. “Face it, boy, you were nothing but a happy little meal.”
CHAPTER 16
VAN
Iresisted recoiling at Lucien’s verbal slap, which cut beneath my skin as if I’d been snapped by a nearby vine.
“Lucien!” Celeste said. “How dare you?”
“Come now, love.” His voice softened as he turned to her and offered his hand. “I know you miss me like I miss you.”
She stepped back. “No.”
Lucien sneered. “Enough of slumming with this mangy stray. You’ve made your point. Let’s go.”
I stepped up to him. “Don’t talk to her like that. Perhaps you have trouble hearing. Or understanding.” Staring him down, I added, “The lady saidno.”
Lucien turned to me with a disgusted expression. “Saunter off into the sunset, shifter.” He motioned toward distant shadows beneath the trees.
I growled in warning as my jaguar rose within, ready to tear into undead flesh.
He let out a dark chuckle. “What’s the matter, kitty cat? Need to cough up a furball?”
My claws extended and my fangs emerged. I glared at the vamp through narrowed eyes. “Celeste deserves better than you. Someone who respects her. Treats her like a queen. Not someone who uses her and betrays her trust.”
“Oh, Van…” Celeste sighed. “He’s not worth it. Don’t risk your job over him.”
