Page 40 of Ouch! My Vampire Doms Don't Sparkle
No answer.
I unzip the bag and gasp.It’s a full black skirt with a tight bodice, which is hot pink with a black lace overlay.Leather strips crisscross the bodice, looking complicated and sensual.Seriously, where did he get this thing?I love it.It’s sexy and girly, but mostly sexy.
I yank off my clothes and bra, then pull the dress over my head.The leather straps trap me, tangling over my head and arms.
Xander comes in a minute later wearing black slacks and a button-down shirt the color of midnight.He looks just as hot as Will did, even though he’s frowning in disapproval.“You aren’t ready.”
I peer at him through the straps crisscrossing my face.The large skirt and bodice are almost in place, so I’m mostly decent.“Getting through this obstacle course of a gown takes more than ten minutes, mister.Help me?”
I spin around so I don’t have to see his disapproving frowny face.Here I am about to go to the party in a beautiful gown, and he’s trying to kill my joy.
The burner phone rings, buzzing in the comforter where I dropped it.
“Do you need to get that?”Xander asks, straightening the leather straps so they fall into place.
“No.What will I do for shoes?”
“I didn’t know your size, so I bought a few pairs in different sizes.The boxes are next to the door.”
With a deft, sure movement, he zips up the dress.He steps away immediately, as if I’ve burned him.
Without looking in my direction he asks, “Ready to go?”
I guess I have to be.Will was doing everything in his power to keep me from going to this banquet, but Xander looks as if he’ll haul me over his shoulder and drag me there.
My hair is a mess, I haven’t done my make-up, and mentally, I am unprepared for this.Still, I’m certain this is what is meant to happen.I was always meant to attend this banquet.“Yes.I’m ready.”
12
Xander
There’s no other word for how Autumn looks tonight: stunning.When I saw the dress in the shop this morning, I knew she had to have it, whether she wore it to the banquet tonight or to some other event another time.
Will is going to be angry, but there’s nothing else I can do.At this point, we’ll be even.He’s gone against me when it came to inviting Autumn into our home.I’m going against him when it comes to bringing her in front of Gaius.
Shewillbe safe.We will protect her with our lives.And Gaius needs to know that we aren’t afraid of him.Otherwise, there will be more attacks on us in our own city, when we least expect it.He wants us to go quietly, without fanfare.
We need to demonstrate to him we’re willing to go to war.Bringing Autumn to the banquet will be a show of strength.
“So, where exactly is this place?”Autumn asks.
We have to stop at a red light.She uses the opportunity to apply mascara to her lashes.I can’t help but stare, entranced, until someone behind me honks their horn and I realize the light has changed.
I clear my throat.“It’s on the outskirts of the city, the edge of an old neighborhood called Old Thirty-Three.Gaius acquired a Victorian mansion.He likely has other properties in San Esteban, purchased under different names, listed as other holdings, so as to fly under our radar.”
“Fly under your radar?”she asks.“Are you saying he isn’t allowed to be here?”
“By vampire customs, no.He should not have come here without our express permission.But our past is…complicated.”
“Complicated,” she repeats.
Her hazel eyes meet mine briefly before I turn to look back at the road.
“Yes,” I say.
I can practically hear her mind working through that.She wants to ask questions, but she isn’t sure what to ask.I’m a dick for not explaining more, but that’s nothing new.
And her sweet jasmine scent fills my nose, making it difficult to think.How can I explain two centuries of war and abuse complicated by vampire politics, when all I want to do is pull over, recline my seat, and drag this beautiful girl over to straddle me while I direct her movements with the sexy straps of her bodice?This sweet little mouse is so beautiful when she comes, and I could make it happen in seconds if I wanted to.
