Page 35 of Saving Sarah (Blissful Bets)

“Everyone’s waiting in the living room, but Brandon thinks it will be better to unlock the memories here on the bed. He seems to believe you’ll be in need of some…attention, after he’s done. We’ve all agreed that it’s probably best for Gavin to take care of you. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot to discuss once we know something.”

Sarah froze. “Hold on, I don’t understand. If Brandon’s a vampire, how is he out during the day? Shouldn’t he be dust right now?”

Devon and Gavin both laughed. Devon opened his mouth to explain. “Honey, that’s just myth. Well, kind of. You see, vampires are sensitive to sunlight if exposed over a certain length of time. They get really bad sunburns if they’re in it too long, but I think they’re main problem is light in general. It’s horrible for their eyes. I think that’s probably why they wear shades a lot, even in the dark.

“The older the vampire, the more problems they face. I guess that’s where the myths came from. After a certain point, the pain makes it impossible for them to come out during the day, not to mention their skin burns a lot easier with age.”

“Oh.” Sarah took a deep breath, trying to process everything. As her mind drifted her to best friend, she pushed the fascinating thoughts about what Brandon was away. “I want to speak with Evelyn before we do this. I was told she felt sick.”

Devon’s smile melted off his face. “Yes, she wasn’t feeling very well, but I think she’s better now. You and Gavin get dressed, and then I’ll send her in.”

Sarah watched him walk out of the room. Biting her lip, she couldn’t shake the unexplained nervousness. As quickly as she could, she threw on clothes, hardly noticing Gavin getting dressed behind her. Advancing toward the door, she was surprised when it opened and everyone walked in.

“Ev, what’s going on? Why are you here if you’re not feeling well?”

The smile that appeared across her best friend’s face momentarily confused her. Evelyn didn’t look sick. The paleness of her skin looked normal.

“Sarah.” Slowly advancing, Evelyn turned to look at Stephen and Brandon, and then faced her. “I wanted to wait, but the secret is driving me crazy. I have to tell someone, and I want it to be you, but you can’t tell the girls yet.”

“Of course, tell me.”

The smile slowly left her pale face only to return moments later. “I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a baby. Isn’t that great?”

Sarah could feel her lips part as she fought to think of words to say. Truly, she felt happy for her friend, but she wasn’t expecting the news. She froze in shock. She quickly fought the images of her own pregnancy so many years ago and thought of Ev. Closing her mouth, she walked forward, embracing Evelyn’s small frame.

“That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you. How are you feeling?”

Air brushed against Sarah’s neck as Evelyn laughed. “Tired, nauseous. But I couldn’t be happier. What about you? I was told you’re finally marked.”

Heat filled her cheeks at Evelyn knowing, but it wasn’t as if her friend hadn’t undergone the same thing. Pulling back, Sarah walked to sit on the edge of the bed. “I feel great, wonderful, actually. But come sit by me and tell me more about you. How far along are you? Have you thought of any names, a gender you’re leaning toward?”

“I’m not sure yet.” For moments, her friend studied her face. “Sarah, please. I know this must be hard for you.” Evelyn sat down on the bed, grabbing her friend’s hand. “There’s plenty of time to talk about the baby. Right now, let’s just focus on you. Brandon thinks he can find out more about Tom by doing this. I couldn’t agree more. There’s nothing to be afraid of, I promise.”

Cautiously, Sarah looked up at Devon, then Gavin. “I trust you, Ev. I know you wouldn’t let anything happen to me. But really, I’m okay about your pregnancy. Please don’t keep anything from me because you might think it will upset me. I’m better now, I promise. Now, let’s get this out of the way. I want to hear about the baby. If this is the only way to get you to tell me the details then what do I need to do to get started?”

“That’s my girl.” Evelyn waved Brandon in their direction. “I want you to lie back on the bed. You need to get in the middle though. Gavin will be on one side of you, Brandon on the other. He’s going to…bite you, and then after he’s finished we’ll leave you and your mate alone while we discuss what we’ve learned with Devon.”

Sarah nodded and crawled to the middle of the bed. She could feel her heart hammering away at what was about to happen. Everyone kept saying it wouldn’t hurt. What if it did? What if something went terribly wrong?

Brandon and Gavin settled themselves beside her. Panicked, Sarah bolted into a sitting position. “Devon…”

Devon quickly reached her side. “What is it? Sarah, if you don’t want to do this, all you have to do is say so. We’ll stop right now.”

“No, I just…Just tell me everything will be okay. When you go discuss this, you won’t be gone long, right?”

A smile stretched across his face. “No, I’ll hurry back as fast as I can.”

“All right.” Sarah lay back against the bed and closed her eyes. “Brandon, if you hurt me, so help me God…”

A loud laugh echoed through the room. “I won’t hurt you. Evelyn would have my hide. Trust me, the last thing I want to do is upset her right now her. That woman has a temper like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I can hear you,” Ev said, laughing.

“Right. Okay, Sarah I want you to relax. Gavin, do me a favor and face her toward you and kiss her. She needs to be, well, completely relaxed, if you know what I mean.”

Sarah felt Gavin’s arms go around her as he pulled her to face him. She looked deep into his eyes, and like every time she rested close to his body, she instantly calmed. The brush of his lips was soft against hers, gently coaxing her mouth open to receive his tongue.

The remaining people in the room vanished with the first intoxicating kiss. Heat flowed freely throughout her body, increasing the moment Gavin’s hand trailed over her hip and up her ribs. When his hand slid against the bed and wrapped around her neck, Sarah was so lost in their kiss, she hardly noticed how exposed her neck became.

---