Page 125 of Plug and Claim

“It is ordinary. But it’s special to me.”

“So it’s a real place?”

Nathaniel made a sleepy sound of assent.

Before she could ask more about it, he untangled himself from her.

“Back to your mat, pet.”

Kira felt a jab of disappointment, but she didn’t need to be told twice. Whilst the bed was warm and comfortable, sharing it with the vampire was not a complication she needed. Not when things were already feeling complicated.

After the bed, the mat felt hard and cold, serving as a firm reminder of the reality awaiting her on Monday. But she still had Sunday with Nathaniel, and she felt a glimmer of anticipation at the prospect, wondering what the day would bring. Nothing would top the day at the beach, but she was ready to face whatever challenges Nathaniel threw her way.

And after everything Victoria had said about Nathaniel, she had a plan.

The room grew chilly as the fire burnt low, and she sniffed, pulling her blankets closer. He’d given her an extra blanket, but she still felt cold. Despite herself, she was already missing Nathaniel’s warmth.

Gently, Nathaniel draped a warm quilt over her.

“Stay warm,” he said, before settling back on the bed.

“Thank you,” she whispered into the darkness, wondering if he heard her.

Chapter 45

Chocolate Cake

Kira

“I believe you promised me good chocolate cake,” Kira said, sitting cross legged on the mat with a plate of frosted cake. “This is dry.”

“My apologies,” Nathaniel said. “I’m afraid it was sitting on the kitchen bench all night. I can, however, make you something fresh. Bacon and eggs?”

She shook her head, trying to keep a straight face as she ate another spoonful. “You promised me cake. This is not acceptable. I feel let down, honestly.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you said you didn’t like chocolate cake.

“I said I don’t not like it. And I’d love a coffee, too.”

“Anything else?” Nathaniel mused.

“I like foam on my coffee. With sprinkles. Susie treated me to one at the café in the city.”

He smiled and rested his chin on interlaced fingers. “Would you like to go to the city, pet? I could take you out for breakfast.”

Kira’s spirits lifted at that prospect, but she shrugged and looked down at her cake with an exaggerated sigh of disappointment. “Well, I suppose we’ll have to. If this is the best you can do.”

“Oh no. For you, pet, only the best will do.”

His tone was sincere, and Kira couldn’t help but blush at how special his words made her feel.

“Get dressed. I’ll take you out for breakfast in the city,” he said.

Kira busied herself with the woven bag of clothes, trying hard to hide her triumphant smile. It had worked—the shopping district was exactly where she needed to go.

It was where the taxidermist’s shop that Nathaniel had mentioned was, and it was where she hoped to find answers. After her conversation with Victoria yesterday, she felt like she’d hardly scratched the surface on who Nathaniel really was.

As for how she was going to distract Nathaniel for long enough to find the taxidermist’s shop, she did not know. But she was satisfied that she’d successfully manipulated him into taking her shopping.