Page 34 of Blood of the Damned: Thorn
“Go away, we’re busy.” Thorn didn’t take his gaze off Ledger.
“This is a communal area, in case you had forgotten.”
“Leave them be,” Calvert said from somewhere above them.
There came the sound of sneakers dragging over marble and a complaint from Dacian, but Ledger’s focus was on his mate and the happiness coming from him.
“Wanna feel?” he asked, the excitement returning now they were alone.
“You bet I do.” Thorn placed Ledger down on the ground, then gently positioned his hand on Ledger’s middle.
“Papa wants to feel, girls.” Brows arching, a frown appeared at the lack of sensation inside him. “Come on now, show Papa.” Nothing. Not even a grumble of his stomach.
Thorn gave him a rueful smile. “I’m Papa?” Ledger nodded absently, willing something to happen. “Maybe it was just wind,”Thorn offered, looking disappointed, blocking Ledger from his thoughts.
“No, I felt them move!” He stamped his foot, barely missing Thorn’s toes at the indulgent expression that replaced the disappointment. “I did,” he insisted, swinging around to walk up the stairs.
Vampires!
Ledger didn’t know what was going on with Thorn. There was definitely something that he was being cagey about, and it wasn’t hard to guess that it had something to do with the babies. God, just thinking about being pregnant sent his brain into squirrel mode. Which was hard when he had bookings to confirm and arrange, sort out what wines he needed to be brought from the winery, and act like his world had not gotten spectacularly upended.
He stared at the screen seeing nothing but squiggles and dots. He released a breath, screwed his eyes closed and, pushing back his chair, gave up. His eyes flickered open with the need for some fresh air, in the hopes it would clear his head so he could focus.
There was nothing but silence as he walked through the building, heading for the path that led directly into the vineyard. Ledger had discovered it within the first week of exploring. He could avoid everyone and skip unwitnessed down the sun-soaked vines. It was something he liked to do first thing in the morning before the others started their working day.
This morning, it was still early enough to witness the sun rising and hitting the vines. It was Ledger’s favorite part of the day. The sun wasn’t too warm, but hot enough to waken thesenses with the sweet fragrance of the grapes. Many considered that grapes had no smell, but they were wrong. Hanging as they were, they released an aroma that sweetened the warm air like nothing else he’d experienced.
His eyes travelled the horizon, marveling at the lushness surrounding him. The dirt town he’d arrived in could give the wrong impression of the capabilities of the land. Thorn and his brothers had seen beyond that and created their own oasis in a place that was no more than arid land. They had cultivated the soil and, using irrigation systems, had harnessed the heat to the advantage of the vines.
With a quick glance about, he plucked a bunch of grapes from the closest vine, mindful no one was near to catch him. The last time he’d done that he’d gotten caught and reamed a new asshole for it by Asher, who was very precious over his grapes.
Ledger didn’t worry about needing to wash them, especially now he was pregnant, because they didn’t use pesticides. He pulled a plump, juicy grape off the bunch and popped it into his mouth, groaning at the sweet burst of flavor.
“It’s a good job Aster didn’t catch youstealinghis babies,” a voice said from behind him.
Ledger dropped the grapes, choking on the one he was eating, swallowing it down the wrong hole as he spun towards where the quiet voice had frightened the crap out of him. “Thorn! Don’t do that! You damn near gave me a heart attack.”
Thorn chuckled and came closer, bending to pick up the now bruised grapes. “Let’s get rid of the evidence.” He tugged one off the bunch and popped it into his mouth, his eyes lighting with delight as he took another and brought it to Ledger’s mouth. Their gazes held as Ledger parted his lips, witnessing Thorn’s flare of desire as he licked the tip of his thumb before sucking the grape in between his lips.
“Yummy,” Ledger murmured throatily.
“Most definitely,” Thorn replied with a wicked grin that said he wasn’t talking about the grapes.
Ledger shook his head at the playful side of Thorn, which was nigh on impossible to resist. But, instead of initiating more, Thorn encouraged him to walk with him, occasionally feeding him grapes in a companionable silence. In the months they’d been together, Ledger had learned a lot about Thorn. Quiet times like this were rare and Ledger got a sense of anticipation. He just couldn’t fathom why as they came to the small terraced area that gave a spectacular view of the valley stretched out below them.
Ledger stopped, like he always did, and took the time to admire the vista. Whatever Ledger had hoped for when he’d taken this job, it wasn’t the sense of peace that came from looking out at what Thorn and his brothers had created. Standing next to Thorn, admiring their hard work, came with a sense of pride at their accomplishments. The knowledge that he played a small part in promoting the beauty added a layer of accomplishment he’d never had with any other job.
The peacefulness of the place spoke to his soul. Whether it was the vampire, the land, or both, Ledger didn’t question it. He couldn’t remember a time feeling like this, even as a small child, before discovering he was divergent.
“This view…” he sighed wistfully. “I can understand why folks love it here and want to be here for longer than a few hours.”
“It’s beautiful.” Something in Thorn’s tone got him glancing at the vampire, who was staring at him.
There, in his expression, was a longing that caused an odd feeling in the center of Ledger’s chest and made his breath catch in his lungs.
“I never considered how discovering I have a dhampir would make me feel. Couldn’t imagine the all-encompassing feelings. The depth of them. The enormity of them. How they consumemy every waking moment. The way they changed me. I want forever with you and still I don’t think it will be enough for me to get my fill of you, Sweetling.” He gracefully lowered himself to the ground on one knee and a hand slipped into his slacks before appearing with a small ring box.
Ledger released a noise that, to his embarrassment, sounded decidedly like a sob as his vision blurred on the box.Oh heavens!Is he…
