Page 31 of The Vampire’s Prey

"No, you shouldn't have.” Her eyes are wary and hurt, but she nuzzles into my hand. Maybe this isn’t a lost cause after all. It hurts me to know that I have caused her emotional discomfort, but there's no way I can let her go without telling her how I really feel. Obviously, the belt thing is a really hot trigger for her. I will have to keep that out of our conversation until she can actually get to know me.

Sitting back down on the pillows, I pull her back into my arms. "Listen pet, you have been pushed through a ringer tonight, emotionally and physically, let me comfort you."

Suspicion laces her glare, but she does not pull away from me. Once I have her snuggled back up against me, my world rights itself once again. Breathing deeply, I tightened my grip around her and hold her for several minutes. I don’t know what I am going to do with her. She blows hot and cold so rapidly that I can’t even begin to predict her moods. Maybe I should call this off even before it begins. There is so much about her that I don't know, and she doesn’t seem inclined to let me in at all. Even as I think this, my primal half roars in my head. My beast seems to finally have found peace with the morsel. I fear I have no choice but to keep her and tame her.

Lifting her chin up, I brush my lips against hers, sighing into her soft depths. This is what it’s like to die and reach heaven. The thought beats against my brain as I thread my fingers through her hair and deepen the kiss. She resists a little, her hands feebly push and shove at my chest. But soon, she melts under my lips and tongue. There is no stronger aphrodisiac than a woman submitting under me. I slide my tongue across her bottom lip, delighting in the shiver that goes through her. Smiling, I lean up and grab a blanket to wrap around her.

"I will go find you some clothes. You stay here and bundle up.” She gives my cock a pointed stare, and I laugh as I head towards the opening. "I am not ashamed of being naked, little one. That pleasure is all yours."

Her small tongue pokes out from her lips, and I laugh again. How many times has that been tonight? Have I ever laughed so much before? Making my way to the bar, I spot Trish standing near with my bag packed and my clothes in her hands.

"Here you are, sir."

"Thank you, Trish, you have been most helpful to me tonight.” A pretty blush spreads across her cheeks as she bows her head; however, no one can compare to the blush of my little pet. "I do have one more favor. I need you to find me some clothes for Evangeline to borrow, so I can take her home."

"Yes, sir. I believe she's worn Barbara's clothes before, and I think she has a spare uniform here. I will ask her.”

As she turns to leave, I spot Lucius at the bar. I have to tell him sometime; it might as well be now. Clearing my throat, I make my way over and whisper at his shoulder.

"Might I have a word with you?"

He smirks. "She's your woman, you figured it out."

I smile and nod. "Yes, she is my woman.” Sobering, I motion over to his throne. "But this involves more than just me."

His eyes turn serious as he makes his way over and sits down. "What's troubling you."

"Evangeline is immune. I don’t know how, but I’m worried that she will end up seeing things or knowing things that she can’t be privy to right now."

His eyes widen. "Another immune?"

"Wait. Another?"

He waves his hand, dismissing that part of the conversation. "Do you plan to claim her as yours and tell her about us?"

Sighing, I look over to the alcove to where she’s waiting for me. "I don’t know. I want her. Desperately. But I’m not sure at what point it’s safe to reveal who we are. I managed to keep her from seeing me feed. I’ll just have to be more careful.” Running a frustrated hand through my hair, I internally muse at where I’ll even be able to see or play with her. I sigh and shake my head. “I won’t bring her back down here until I know she can be trusted."

Lucius strokes his chin for a moment. "If you can’t trust her, why are you considering a life with her? I mean, I’m assuming you are, just by the way you're talking about her."

"I might, I might not. I need to try to get her out of my system first. If that doesn’t work, then I guess I am doomed to have her as my woman."

Chuckling, Lucius looks over at Selene, a small smile crossing his face. "It's not all bad. They do have their uses.” He turns serious. “If she cannot be thralled, then you're right. She doesn't need to be down here until you know for sure. You know," he says with a knowing smile, "you could just have another vampire take a crack at her. Maybe your thralling skills just aren’t up to snuff.”

Before I can stifle it, I growl and stiffen my spine. This brings another chuckle from Lucius. "Just as I thought. You're smitten."

Grumbling, I turn towards the stairs and wait for Trish. Luckily for me, she is right on cue with the change of clothes. "Smitten. I am not some dumb animal to be smitten."

Snatching the clothes from Trish, I stalk back towards the alcove. Shoving my way in, my breath catches in my throat when I see Evangeline sitting there, her fingers nimbly braiding her hair, the sheets pooling at her waist. This is definitely a sight I can get used to. I guess I am smitten.

The moment she looks up at me, her nipples harden in anticipation. Immediately my eyes latch on and my mouth waters in response. Her signature blush flushes her cheeks and dips down over the tops of her breasts. The beast insides roars for me to take her again, but I can’t. I can clearly see the fatigue that lines her face and the slight tremble to her hands as she plaits her hair. She needs sleep not another fuck. My heart swells with affection as I look at her. Forget smitten, I’m worried I’ve gone all the way to twitterpated.

Setting the clothes down, I help her get up. "Okay now, pet. Get dressed, so I can take you home."

Her eyes look wary again. "You really, really don't have to do that. I have a car here and can easily take myself home.” She pats my shoulder in a dismissive manner. "Thank you for tonight, but I'm a big girl. I can get home by myself."

Every ounce of me is yelling at me to ignore her request. It’s my job to keep her safe. But I do know that I cannot keep her safe if she’s not willing to even let me near her.

She can’t deny me following her home though. Smirking, I cross my arms and look her up and down. She thinks she’s won this battle, but she is sorely mistaken.