“To be clear, I don’t think I’d want to play in the main dungeon our first time playing,” I admit. “I might never be okay playing with you in front of other vampires like that. I’m…territorial.”
Her lips part, her pulse now thrumming as a soft gasp escapes her. “You are?”
“Yes. I don’t share well.” I reach out and lightly trail one finger along the back of her hand. “I damn sure don’t want any of them catching scent of your blood.”
“No?”
“No. Because I’d kill anyone who thought they were entitled enough to so much as ask to taste you. Even Lucius.”
She nervously swallows, her gaze now following the path of my finger as I slowly draw lazy swirls across her flesh. From the way her pulse suddenly thrums, I know she’s turned on. “Um, okay.” She nods. “Maybe alone would be best, then.”
She took a huge risk, so maybe it is time I take one of my own. “Eilidh.” I wait until she looks up and meets my gaze again. There’s full comprehension and awareness in her eyes, and it totally hardens my cock, knowing I don’t have to hold back with her in that way, at least.
It hits me she’s lived most of her life relying on herself and not having a protector.
A partner.
Someone to watch her back.
At least I’ve been able to afford to buy protection and help.
“I’m never letting you go. Even if I have to spend the rest of my life watching and protecting you from afar because you don’t want me directly in your life, I will. But while you areinmy presence? Iwilldefend you to the death, and you cannot stop me from doing that. That ismychoice.”
Her lips part again. “Oh!” I smell a renewed wave of her arousal scenting the air and it nearly makes me drool.
“How about this proposal—whatever you feel like doing after the meeting, that’s what we’ll do. No pressure. Anything from crazy, wild sex and play, all the way to sharing a table in a cafe and sipping frappes and talking.”
“Really?”
“Really. I refuse to rush this and make a mistake with you. Days, months—years. I’ll be here patiently waiting on you.”
I wait as she takes a deep, relieved breath and nods. “Deal.”
“Thank you for trusting me.” I want to amend something to that comment—pet,girl,sweetheart.
Love.
She smiles. “Yeah, well, it’s kind of funny how in my life it’s been the apex predators I could always trust the most. At least they’re…predictable.”
* * *
I textmy men before I head out with Eilidh. Mark calls down to the front desk, and I find my rental waiting for us at the front entrance when we emerge from the lobby. I hold the passenger door open for her and wait until she’s tucked in to close it and round the SUV to slide behind the wheel.
“I have to say, I’m a little surprised,” she admits as we pull away. “An Audi Q3? That’s practically slumming it.”
“Why?”
“It’s not something sporty and Italian.”
“It’s practical and comfortable.”
“How many Bugattis do you own?” From her teasing tone, I can tell she’s loosening up again.
“Not a one. No Ferraris, no Lambos, no McLarens, no Paganis.”
“Wow. I kind of thought that was a vampire requirement. Better not let Lucius hear that. He might try to revoke your cool vamp club membership card.”
She makes melaugh. How long has it been since I really felt like laughing?
