We are ontopof the freaking mountain.
Took him seconds.Seconds!
“Why do you even bother driving?” I tighten my grip around his neck just in case he was thinking about putting me down. I don’t want to get left up here and have to hike back down in my Jimmy Choos.
Not that I think he’d leave me.
Come to think of it, I suspect he’s never going to leave me.
How weird is it that I’m increasingly okay with that idea?
The other reason I don’t want to get down is I kind of like being held in his arms. It’s…comforting.
Sexy.
Below us, Tucson and the valley glitter with lights.
“I like driving,” he says. “And a car is—”
“Practical. Yeah.”
“Well, you can’t haul luggage very effectively like this.”
“True.”
“And, eventually, even vampires tire. We might have better stamina and strength, but it is finite.”
It is a gorgeous view. I’ve hiked up here before. It’s kind of a touristy thing to do. Some locals will come up here, but there are prettier hikes in the area. Never been up here at night, though.
“I’m going to buy you a proper house,” he softly says, his breath cool against the top of my head. “Anywhere you want. Whatever house you want. I’ll pay for it all.” He stares into my eyes. “I don’t want you living in a building with a bunch of other people. I want you safe. Where I can make sure you’re protected. A place that suits you. Go house shopping, please? Preferably one with a pool and a very tall fence, a secure gate, a large garage, and maybe a dark basement for the occasional guest.” He smiles.
Wait, what?“What about you? You won’t live with me there?” That disappoints me waaay more than it should, considering I just fricking met the vamp.
And yet, I’ve also imagined what it’d be like if I let him play with me in the club’s dungeon.
Definitely a line of thought that dampens my panties.
“I’m talking aboutyou.” He looks out over the city. “Ifyou decide you want me permanently in your life, we can talk about that then. I am not going to assume you will desire to have a long-term relationship with me. Even if you don’t want to be with me, this is something I still want to do for you. No strings.”
I know I could say no, but I already see how that plays out. He’ll buy it, put it in my name, and all my shit will be moved there for me while I’m gone. I’ll try to go home from work one morning, and his guys will be waiting to drive me to the new house.
I can see it all as if it’s already happened. Because he’s already warned me he’s never letting me go.
And I know Garrett and Amber would probably let him and the movers into my apartment to help them do it, too.
The bills would automatically get paid every month, no matter what. The taxes paid every year. Insurance. Full state-of-the-art security system. A number to call if anything breaks or needs maintenance.
He won’t let me refuse him doing anything for me—I feel it to my core.
Fates help me, I don’t think I want to refuse him, either. “Why?”
His focus returns to me and he studies my face for several long minutes. “Because for the first time in too damned long, I actually give a damn about someone else. And it’s terrifying, but it feels good, too. I’d forgotten what it feels like to not feel alone. To feelalive. I have felt dead inside since losing Robert. For that, if for no other reason, I want to dothisfor you, if you’ll let me.”
* * *
We stay up therefor longer than we probably should, but he’s a big boy. I’m ready this time and close my eyes when he blurs us back down the mountain.
“We’re here.” When he carefully sets me on my feet, I risk opening my eyes again.
