Page 98 of Vampires of Eden
“It doesn’t seem like a coincidence,” I jest, setting the second suitcase on the gravel and closing the trunk.
“It is, though. I promise. If you bring the suitcases up here, I can help wheel them inside?”
Grabbing hold of both, I move toward the porch where he’s standing in the center. Staying on the lower step, I place the luggage beside him. “I need to grab my jacket and one more thing—Raph packed me a ‘lunch.’ I’m pretty sure it’s blood.”
“How are you feeling today?”
When I look up, I’m hit with Daniel’s intense, milky-lilac gaze. It’s penetrating, but not menacing. Not even blank like I’ve perceived it before. It’s softer, somehow? “You look good,” he goes on quietly. “Healthy.”
I glance down at the suitcases, breaking eye contact because a heated flush makes its way up my neck. I really don’t want to start things off like this. “I feel pretty good,” I say, fumbling with the luggage tag like it’s something important that commands my full attention. “Almost normal.”
“Are you still taking shots of Oliver?”
“No, not for three days. So far so good.” Cautiously, I glance up. He stares out at the vineyard with his chin lifted. He looks… regal from this angle and with the sunlight lining his profile.
“I hope Raphael isn’t rushing you?”
I shake my head, suddenly unable to peel my eyes away from his face and the ethereal white-purple glow of his eyes in the sun. “He’s not. It was my choice to stop.”
Without moving his head, his irises flicker down to meet mine as he smiles. “Good.”
Inhaling sharply, I turn and walk back down the steps while suppressing the flush and obstinate spark of my nature. “I’ll get the other suitcase and meet you inside?”
“Sure.”
Pausing at the passenger-side door, I watch him over the roof of the car as he drags the suitcase into the cottage. His hair is tied in a low ponytail at the nape of his neck. It flows looseand in-between his shoulder blades. Usually, his hair is neatly braided or confined in a tight top-knot. I’ve never seen it undone like this…
Fuck me. I’m not off to a good start here at all, am I?
Control, Alexander. I am not a predator.
Once I have everything, I head back to the porch, quickly grab the second suitcase and drag it inside. Just as I’m taking my shoes off at the threshold, Leoni comes bounding down the steps. She looks smart in a waist-length jacket layered over a prettily patterned blouse and fitted dress pants cropped at her ankles.
“Hey, good morning,” I say, smiling. “You look lovely.”
“Hola Puercoespííín, gracias. Bienvenido a nuestra casa.” She opens her arms wide as she walks over and embraces me tightly.
“Muchas gracias,” I say, returning the hug. “Lo aprecio mucho. ¿Vas a alguna parte?”
She releases me, grinning with her sparkly and honey-hazel eyes. “Yup. I’m gonna talk to the head council leader in Hollywick. We have a meeting.”
Surprised, I straighten. “That sounds important. What about?”
“I’ll tell you later. I have plans with a friend afterward, so I’ll be back later this evening. You two behave yourselves… or not. You know what? Don’t behave at all. Be reeeeally naughty.”
My body stiffens as she quickly steps into her boots, then heads out the front door. Beside me, Daniel huffs and shakes his head. Why the hell would she say that?
“We’ve decided to give you a proper welcome party on Friday,” he says coolly, pulling my suitcase toward the hallway beside the stairs. “She’s busy until then, plus, you and I have to finish putting together the furniture and cleaning at Kat and Roland’s, in addition to the winery work.”
“They’re really going to launch the safe house and clinic in two weeks? Time has gone by so quickly.”
Daniel guides me down a short hallway with a neat square window at the end that overlooks more vineyard and mountains. “It has. We’ve been working hard. Well, most of us.” Smirking, he stops in front of a closed door.
I lift a hand to scratch the top of my head, feeling guilty. “Yeah, I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to help last week—I’ve been pretty useless, but I?—”
“Alexander,” he says firmly. Daniel dips his head to catch my attention. “I’m just joking. Don’t you know that by now?” His voice is pleading as he stares. The hallway is narrow and we’re standing too closely. Electric shivers rush up my arms and his subtle scent caresses my senses.
“I know,” I say. “I’m just nervous, I think. It’s nerves.”
