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He caught her hand. Became aware of just how small and delicate she was. He could crush her bones with a careless touch. But he’d never be careless with a human female.

And certainly not with her.

She licked her lips and the sensual swipe of her pink tongue had his cock swelling. “Wh-what are you proposing?”

The deputy glared at him.

“My place.” His bed, but they’d get to that later. “You can have the guest room, and you won’t have to worry about that vam—ah, jerk coming back.”

She blinked at him. Damn, but he loved that woman’s eyes. “That’s very kind of you⁠—”

Kind. He snorted. If Miranda knew just how many hot and heavy fantasies he’d been having about her, the last word she’d use to describe him would be kind. “Baby, I want you safe. I don’t care what Sam here says…” He jerked his thumb toward the glowering human. “But that creep could be back.” And he didn’t want to take any chances with Miranda’s life.

Hell. Why had the woman been with that guy?

“There’s no reason for him to come—” Sam began.

“Miranda’s the reason.” The perfect temptation. Sensual woman. Sweet blood. How could the vampire resist?

How can I? Especially once he got the lovely Miranda locked inside his house?

The beast within began to growl.

He could easily hear the sound of her indrawn breath. Even over the dizzying call of the insects. The mutters of the men. The racing of his own heart.

Then she was pulling her hand away. Easing down the porch steps.

Running?

Forcing his gaze to break its lock on her, Cain surveyed the area. A large lake separated his place from Miranda’s. The woods surrounded their homes, effectively cutting them off from the rest of the town.

To the right, the way the vampire had fled, waited swamps. Alligators. Snakes.

If he was lucky, maybe one of them would attack the parasite.

Maybe.

“Miranda, if you want to stay with someone, you can stay with me,” Sam stated, raising his voice and catching Cain’s attention.

Oh, hell, no. Not happening. Bad enough he had to compete with a bloodsucker to get the lady’s attention. Cain didn’t want to go against some lovesick deputy.

“I don’t need to stay with you, Sam.” Her voice was clear.

“Then I’ll send the patrol and⁠—”

Her head turned. She met Cain’s stare. “My neighbor has room for me. I’ll be staying with him.”

His blood seemed to heat. Miranda in his house. Perfect.

“Ah, hell,” Sam muttered. “Cuz, you know what you’re doing? You just had one guy who hurt you⁠—”

Her chin lifted, but her gaze never wavered. “And one guy who saved me. Yeah, I know what I’m doing.”

Cuz. Cousin. Cain relaxed muscles he hadn’t even realized that he’d tensed.

“I’m still sending out my patrol.”

Cain gave a slight nod. “Good. And make damn sure that the men you send out are well-armed.” Not that a normal bullet would be able to do much damage to one of the undead, but it would sure sting like a bitch.