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“Yes?” I call, voice hoarse.
The vestiges of sleep cling to me. When the door opens and shuts, I realize I’ve closed my eyes again.
“Zadie?” Thomas’s rich voice is the softest whisper, but it’s enough to wake me fully.
I bolt upright. “I-I… is there… did I?” I mutter nonsensically.
“I didn’t realize you would already be asleep. I will leave?—”
“No,” I practically shout at him. “How long was I asleep?”
“About ten minutes, give or take.” I can hear the smirk in his answer.
“Oh, was there something…?” I trail off. Only now does it occur to me that I might not be welcome to stay until morning.
His footsteps are soft as he moves further into the room. “You left before I could have my say. However, if you’re too tired, it can wait.”
“I’m awake enough.”
I curl my legs under me, so he can sit. I’ve never had a man sit on the edge of my bed before. It should feel scandalous, but if he’s going to tell me what a dishonest person I am, I’d prefer he do so on my level.
The mattress compresses with his weight.
“I didn’t mean to give you the impression that I wanted you to leave. Telling me all of that could not have been easy.”
Each time I expect something from him, he surprises me by doing the opposite.
Thomas reaches out to rest a hand atop mine. I feel him shift closer, and I can finally make out more than just the shape of his silhouette. “By the time I realized something important, you were already gone.”
“And that is?” I prompt.
“You care for me.”
When I try to slide my hand out from under his, he holds firm. Even if I wanted to, there’s no way I could take those words back.
He leans closer. “But I never responded.”
Still trying to free my hand, I murmur, “You don’t have to.”
“Iwantto.” His other hand comes up to cup my jaw. Time seems to freeze. “I hope you don’t plan on leaving in the morning and avoiding me for the rest of your life.”
“How could you want anything to do with me after what I did?”
“You wanted to protect this city—I cannot fault you for doing that. You also told me the truth even when you knew I might hate you for it.”
“Does this mean you forgive me?”
“Of course. Besides, I am a vampire, and we are a selfish lot. I care for you too, Zadie. Our friendship means a great deal to me, regardless of how it began, and I have no desire to see it end.”
The touch of possessiveness sends a delicious shiver down my back. “Thank you.”
“If you are content with our friendship, then you have it, unconditionally. However, let me be clear about one thing; I want far more than a friendship with you, but only if it is mutual.”
Words fail me, so I don’t bother with them. Instead, I bring my hands up to find the sides of his face, lean forward, then press my mouth to his.
There’s no hesitation as he kisses me back. Our lips move, slow and gentle. Every moment with him has somehow always been familiar and new all at once. As if I have spent years learning him. Now is no exception.
His tongue slides past my lips and moves against mine as desperation builds. Then we are kneeling, bodies pressed together. A hand tangled in my hair. An arm banded across my waist, holding me tight. I wrap my arms around his neck.
