Against my better judgement, I take a few steps away from her. The long dress swishes against my legs, and it feels like I’m wearing a cobweb, it’s so light. I see the crystals glitter in the admittedly not impressive light of the bedroom.
I feel like a Christmas tree.
“I’m not…”
“Perfection!” Pirocsa claps her hands.
“Really?”
“Really.” A deep baritone interrupts us. I turn to see Dominik leaning against the door frame, his eyes filled with fire. “Andthere is no way I am letting you out of my nest looking like that,” he growls.
Oh, yeah?
“Too bad, because this is the only dress Pirosca has which fits me,” I retort, putting one hand on my hip. I give him a long, knowing look. “So, it’s this, or I go in your old sweatshirt and a pair of jeans.”
Dominik’s lips ripple in a snarl as his red eyes swing between Pirosca and me. She’s clearly happy not to contradict me because she likes the dress too, and presumably, she gets more work if it’s known she dresses the consort of the vampire king toperfection.
“Fine,” Dominik growls after what seems like a very long pause I’m not prepared to break. “Wear the dress, but if anyone looks at you, I’ll rip their throats out.”
It appears this is going to be a very interesting evening.
Lucy
The Rolls slipsthrough the traffic in a way such a huge car should not be able to do.
“Ferenc won’t be at this reception, will he?” I ask, fiddling with the clasp on the bejeweled clutch bag which matches the dress I’m wearing.
“Werewolves do not participate in anything cultural,” Dominik says sniffily. “He and his pack will not be attending.”
There’s a sense of relief I don’t have to explain myself to Grace just yet.
“In any event, I have made a large donation to the gallery for the renovated wing which is being opened tonight, so I had the final say in the guest list,” he adds. “And I can’t stand the stench of werewolves.”
I roll my eyes at his pomposity, which potentially I thought had mellowed in the last few weeks but then I haven’t encountered him around anyone other than a few thralls and the occasional vampire he allows anywhere near me.
“And yet, it would appear Ferenc is your only friend,” I say, just to annoy him.
Dominik growls. “I have many acquaintances,” he says. “Many I do business with. Along with my progeny and thralls, it is all I need.”
“Is that true?” I look out the window as we glide onto the Chain Bridge, brightly lit to enhance the beauty of the structure.
A hand grasps my chin, and I’m turned back to Dominik. He presses a kiss to my lips which makes my toes curl.
“Not all,” he rasps. “Because I also have you.”
“Can we dial back on the threats to kill tonight?” I ask as we sweep up the hill to the castle district. “I’d prefer to spend the evening in calm and serenity.” I place my hand over my stomach.
Dominik releases a feral pant as I do.
“You look beautiful in this dress, but the fact you have to hide your pregnancy irritates me,” he growls, placing his hand over mine possessively.
“It won’t be for long, as you well know,” I remind him. “I’m going to be the size of a space hopper soon enough.”
Dominik nuzzles into my hair, his fangs grazing my skin and sending shockwaves through my system. He’s only actually fed from me the time in Pécs and when he marked me, but it still nearly gives me an orgasm when I think about it.
It would appear, once you’ve had vamp, there ain’t no going back…
Not that I’m ever going to play to Dominik’s ego and let him know it.
