Page 71 of Always Eros

Eros squeezes my shoulder, smiling at the group. “You all remember Justice.”

I’m greeted with head nods and smiles.

“We’ll be in my unit if anyone needs anything. All good since I left?”

“All good,” Thorn answers, winking at me.

There’s just something so unusual about him. Then as my eyes roam around, it slowly sinks in that all of these men are murderers and vampires. I grab Eros’s hand and squeeze, trying to hide my nerves.

“Come on,” he says, gently pulling me away. “They would never hurt you,” he whispers as we walk.

“But some vampires would?”

“Yes. It’s true. In fact, that’s my concern. We believe there is a group of vampires that are attacking members or former members of Nightsky. They hunted Hale and his entire coven, and his lover, a mortal, was killed in the process.”

My mouth drops open as a shiver runs down my spine. “I see.”

“We discussed it as a group.” He pauses, opening the door to his apartment and stepping to the side to allow me to enter first. “I wanted to respect your wishes to be apart from me.”

“That’s not what I wished. I panicked, Eros. Imagine one day finding out cellphones exist and then the next day, learning that vampires do too. I barely know how to wipe my ass by myself. So I freaked out.”

“I rushed you and I’m so sorry. I never would have if not for the situation. If there is an attack, you are safer with me than anywhere else.”

I lean against the wall, my legs shaking. “What about Carina and the people at the house then? I don’t want anything to happen to them.”

Eros nods. “First things first. I couldn’t focus on anything while you weren’t with me.”

Nodding, I blow out a breath. “I feel better too. Being here, I mean.”

“Good. Are you thirsty? Hungry? Can I get you anything?”

I glance around the glamorous apartment. It looks like it belongs in some European palace, but it still feels comfy, with lots of blankets and books everywhere.

“I’m okay.” I take a small step toward him. “I think… um… Well, I think I’d like to know how you became a vampire.”

“I’m happy to tell you.”

“And also, what happens if you fall for someone who isn’t, because…” I shrug, unwilling to say the rest.

The sweetest smile ever lights up his face. “Because it’s relevant?”

“I mean, it could be.” I try to play it off with a smirk. “Besides, you’re the one who wanted me to know before you took me to bed. I know some of it. I want to know the rest. Just promise me one thing?”

“Anything.”

“Be patient with me, please. This is a whole new world for me inside of what was already a whole new world.”

Eros steps forward, his angelic eyes softening. “I promise.” He lifts my hands and kisses the backs. “I suppose I’ll start with the night I died.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

EROS

Leading him by the hand, I guide Justice to sit with me on the sofa. The sound of his racing heart and the blood whooshing through his veins nearly drowns out everything else, but I have to remain focused and not succumb to my desire to rub myself all over him.

“I was born in 1692 in England.”

His eyes go wide, but he nods. “Wow. Okay.”

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