Page 15 of Claiming Her Vampire

“Thank you, though. For taking care of that.” I take a step closer to him.

“Anytime. Please come to me if you ever feel threatened,” he says.

“I will.” We both stand still, close together, staring. When he says nothing more, the silence gets awkward, at least for me. “Maybe I should get back to work?” I ask, breaking his intense stare.

“Of course. I think I’ll sit at the bar. Let me know if you need anything.” He still doesn’t move; he just watches me.

“Sure.” I point behind me. “I’ll just go…back.” His eyes are so beautiful. “I’ll see you later.” I wave at him while walking backward.

I. Wave. At. Him. Just kill me now.

I smile brightly, stupidly, and then turn to stumble to the bar where I left my tray. I grip the bar's edge, desperate for something to ground me. I don’t recognize myself. My behavior is so odd. Sure he’s a gorgeous man. The most beautiful man I have ever met. What he is doing to my body and mind is unusual, especially after the last train wreck of a relationship. I’m damaged, used up, and have too much baggage for a man like that to want to give it a shot with me. Who knows if I would be able to let him touch me without fear coursing through me? Although judging by our interaction, I might not have a problem with it.

“He’s hard to ignore, huh?” Harmony pops up at my side.

“What?” I ask, coming out of my daze.

“My advice? Don’t fight it. Go with the flow. Enjoy the ride and all that shit.” She grins at me.

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” I can be a little stubborn.

“You want him but don’t know if it’s a good idea. And you doubt that he wants you.” She touches her finger to the middle of my chest. “Trust this. Find a way to trust him. He needs you.”

“There are things I have been through,” I hesitate.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I understand, though. I also understand you need to take your power back. Don’t let him win; take it back.” She looks over her shoulder and then back to me. “I have to go. My mates are waiting. They get a little testy when I stay away too long. Use my number.” She ruffles my hair and then walks over to meet Blue. He wraps her up in his arms like something precious.

An ache settles in my stomach. The way Blue looks at her is so tender. I want that. I always have, but I let the dream go while I was with Tom, and afterward, I didn’t think I could have that dream. I look under my lashes at Ryker, finding his eyes locked on me; I look away quickly. Maybe I can if I’m courageous enough to claim it.

“He’s hot, huh?” The bombshell Samantha drops her tray on the bar beside me with a bang, and I jump.

“Excuse me?”

“Ryker, your boss. He’s hot, but I wouldn’t get any ideas.” She looks me up and down. “You are not his type. Many have tried to get with him, and all fail.”

“I wasn’t trying anything.” I was right; a bad vibe. It doesn’t help that she is perfect up close. Thick brown hair that brushes her shoulders, creamy soft skin, no blemishes in sight. The uniform clings to her subtle curves, hiding nothing. The kind of woman that gets second and third looks.

“Right. Ryker’s more man than a little thing like you could handle.” She sneers at me.

“But you can?” I ask. She is the type I could picture him with. I had to use concealer to cover my enormous zit on my chin—her skin probably repels them.

“Sure. I have, and I will again. I’m just waiting for him to come to his senses and make it permanent.”

“Samantha,” Ryker snaps. Her eyes go wide with…fear? She turns around, pasting a blinding smile on her face.

“Ryker, what can I do for you?” She licks her lips. I know what she wants to do.

“My office now,” he demands. “Sorry, Serenity, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I think Samantha and I have to get a few things straight.” He smiles softly at me.

“No problem.” There was no way, with all the noise in the bar and the distance between us, Ryker heard what we were talking about. He certainly acts like it, though.

I watch the crowd part as he stalks through it, heading up the stairs with Samantha trailing behind.

I’m not stupid. They have an arrangement. Samantha wants more than he’s willing to give. A man like that could have whoever he crooked his finger at. Every woman in this bar would be ready. That’s not the kind of relationship I need at this point.

I forget about Ryker and Samantha and whatever they are doing in his office and get back to work or try to. I check on my tables, grateful the slimy man is gone. Everyone is respectful and too involved in getting tipsy, dancing, and flirting with the many women floating around to pay much attention to the one serving the drinks.

I ignore the small ball of jealousy in the pit of my stomach. The only example of a relationship I had was my mom and dad (which wasn’t good). Mom is constantly traveling for work. She sells medical supplies around the world.

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