When he returns, he pulls a larger glass from the cabinet and pours wine for himself, then opens another bottle before cooking his steak.
We sit at the counter while he eats. His gaze rarely leaves my face. “Why don’t you think you can have a meaningful relationship?”
“Vampires as old as I am are driven by blood. We can’t be domesticated. One day, the need will overwhelm me, and I’ll hurt you. That’s why I don’t drink human blood. Once I taste it, it’s hard to resist taking more than my share.” This will be the moment he looks at me like a predator, and he’ll ask me to leave.
He puts his fork and knife down. “Have you hurt someone, Mari?”
“Not since I was first cursed. But I’ve seen it in other vampires. I’ve been careful.” Always living on the edge of things, never letting anyone get too close.
“Who did you see hurt people?” There’s no accusation in his voice, only calm concern.
Memories flash through my mind.Lights gutter out in the wet streets of Paris as the lamps go out. Bodies lie lifeless in the mud. He laughs and wipes his mouth. “You must feed, my dear. It’s our right. You will see, when you’re older, the need will grow so great, you won’t fight it.”
Sam’s strong hand grips my shoulder. “Mari?”
“I’m alright.” I shake away the memories from the days before I escaped. “Pierre Brochet made me a vampire. He taught me the way of things and how to stay alive. He’d get angry when I refused to kill humans. He’d belittle me when I preferred to hunt animals.”
“That took a lot of courage, disobeying your sire.” Sam’s touch is gentle as he runs his thumb along my collarbone.
“Perhaps, but it brought me nothing but pain. In the end, I escaped, and that’s all that matters.” I’ve been telling myself that for over a hundred years. I have often wished a vampire’s memory wasn’t so perfect.
Frowning, Sam brushes a tear from my cheek. “No one will ever hurt you again, Mari. You are safe here.”
Cursing myself for tears and weakness, I dash them away. “I can take care of myself, Sam. It’s been a very long time since Pierre had me under his thumb. He’s nothing but a memory.”
“A painful one.” He lowers his gaze to my fists on the counter. Taking both in his hand, he lifts them to his lips. His kiss is soft and sweet.
I relax my fingers and hold his hand. “The memory of that pain keeps me alert. I’ve been safe for all this time. But I’m anold vampire now. Pierre said that blood would become harder to resist.”
“Was he right?”
“I don’t tempt myself. I keep myself well fed. You are the first person I’ve drunk from in many years for fear I wouldn’t be able to stop.”
“But you did stop.” He smiles. “I’m unharmed. It was the most extraordinary sex of my life. You’ll hear no complaints from me.”
I didn’t struggle to stop feeding. His blood soothed me, aroused me, and satiated me all at once. My cheeks heat. “It was the same for me.”
“Maybe Pierre lied.” He releases my hand and puts his dishes in the dishwasher. “Stay with me tonight?”
I slip my hand into his. This feels so right, it’s terrifying.
Chapter Six
Sam
When Mari came back to bed last night, it was the most gratifying moment of my life. We made love until we were both exhausted. I fell asleep with her in my arms.
Waking up alone was not as wonderful. It’s not surprising. She has a lot of her past to deal with. I’m sure she never counted on me when she came to Harmony Glen. Still, I wish she were lying beside me.
I don’t stew about it. Once I’m washed, dressed, and have had a giant-sized breakfast, I get in my truck and drive to her house.
My instinct tells me not to bother with knocking on the front door. I round to the backyard and find her sitting cross-legged on a blanket in the center of what will eventually be her meditation tower.
The light breeze blows her loose curls, which nearly touch the ground. While her back is straight, there’s a sense of relaxation about her that I’ve not seen before.
“You’re angry that I left without saying goodbye.” Her voice is soft yet firm, devoid of emotion.
I step closer without invading her space. “Not angry. No. I’ll admit, I would have liked to find you in my arms this morning, but it’s not serious for me to be disappointed, Mari.”
