Page 45 of The Biting Bargain

So much for keeping things professional. I must have a self-destructive streak or something. And apparently no impulse control to speak of.

Vincent rises, looming next to the bed. It's hard to make out in the semi-darkness, but there's no sign of the amber shimmer in his eyes.

"You haven't eaten," he says.

"What?" I massage my temples, trying to anchor myself to reality somehow. I flinch as he settles next to me on the bed and takes my hand. Only to feel my pulse, though.

"You haven't eaten all day," he repeats, frowning. "No wonder you fainted."

I bite my lip. Now that he mentions it, ever since Aidan woke me up yesterday and the fashion circus descended upon me, I'd kind of forgotten to eat. I dimly remember a couple of cookies being offered in between manicures and waxing. But given the feeling of having to ride off to Mordor armed with a lollipop, my appetite had curdled.

All I had was the champagne at the vampire club.

"It's been a bit stressful the last twenty-four hours," I murmur, feeling my pulse throb against the gentle pressure of his fingers.

"You don't say." He looks at me, deadpan while unplugging me from the IV.

There’s a charged moment where he studies me like I’m a completely new species. And there’s something else in his gaze. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost say he’s looking concerned.

"I’m okay." I force my lips into a smile. "Really, just a little worn out but okay."

"I’d be a pretty shitty master if I couldn’t ensure the wellbeing of my drone, wouldn’t I?" he says, setting my hand gently down on my lap.

I’m almost relieved we’re back in known territory. He’s the master. I’m just his employee and he’s making sure I’m alright so I’m able to function properly.

And that’s all there is.

"You don’t have to worry about me," I say quickly. "I mean, I know I said no perks and "Bite Only" and everything. But it’s alright, really. It was… alright."

He arches a brow. "Just alright?"

I can’t help it but smile. "I passed out cold, didn’t I?"

He smirks. "That’s not necessarily a good thing."

"True. But you don’t have to worry about… you know." I tuck my hair behind my ears, unsure where to look. God, this is awkward. "I know it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just perks. And you don’t have to be worried. I’ll be alright."

"Of course it’s just perks," he says, leaning back a little, narrowing his eyes. "What else would it be?"

Yeah, what else? Don’t get any ideas Polly.

"Exactly," I blurt out, scrambling myself off the bed. "Glad we talked about it. And now I would really like to take a shower if it’s not too much of an inconvenience."

I falter as he takes me gently by the elbow, lifting me to my feet. I sway a little, and there’s this weird moment where his hand steadies my elbow and there’s this flicker of astonished confusion in his eyes again. Like this is something that is not supposed to happen.

I square my shoulders, forcing my lips into a smile. "Thank you. I got this."

He nods, frowning. "You’ll find everything you need."

I flee back into my room and into the en-suite bathroom, hurrying to shut the door. Damn, why is my heart racing like this?

ChapterTwenty-One

Vincent

I wakewith a jerk from the knock on the door. Taking a frantic breath in, I find myself spread on the bed, leaning with my back against the bedrest. My laptop is on my knees, in energy saving mode. I must have dozed off…

Next to me, Polly is curled up in the sheets, dead to the world. For a drawn out moment I watch her upper body expand and deflate in the steady rhythm of her breathing. It needs another knocking for me to tear my eyes away. I rise, stifling a groan caused by a stiff pain in my neck and shoulders, and go to get the door.

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