Further proof that she was right to push her sister to join the family business.
Sylvie came into the room and sat down in the chair across from Astra’s desk, hooking one arm over the back of the chair and crossing her legs. “So, what put you in such a good mood?”
“None of your business,” Astra answered. She knew from experience that her sisters would be relentless in their teasing if they knew she was getting serious with someone.
Her youngest sister studied her for a long moment. “You got laid, didn’t you?”
“Shhhh,” Astra hissed, staring at her door. “Why do you have to be so loud?”
“You did!” her sister crowed.
“Shut up!” Astra got to her feet and hurried over to the door. After a quick peek out into the hall to see if anyone was lurking, she shut it and whirled around to face Sylvie. “Why would you say something like that?”
“Because it’s true,” Sylvie answered. “It’s all over you. You’re glowing and you were actually humming under your breath when you walked down the hall this morning. I could hear you all the way in my office.”
“Only because you have bat ears,” Astra retorted.
Sylvie grinned at her, but it looked more like a baring of teeth than an expression of happiness. “I can’t help it if you were being louder than you thought. So, is it that vampire you brought to the office a couple of weeks ago?”
“You know it is,” Astra growled.
Sylvie tilted her head from side-to-side as she stared at Astra.
“What?” she asked, feeling defensive.
“I was wondering where he bit you,” Sylvie answered. She leaned forward, a leer on her face. “Or is it somewhere I wouldn’t be able to see?”
Astra fidgeted in her seat but didn’t answer.
“He didn’t bite you?” Sylvie asked, sounding shocked.
“No,” Astra answered. “He says he won’t unless I tell him it’s okay.”
Sylvie’s eyes widened. “And you didn’t tell him that it was?”
Astra’s cheeks heated. “He’s the first vampire I’ve dated, much less had sex with. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the whole biting thing.”
Her sister frowned. “Astra, he’s avampire. Biting is an instinct for them. You’re asking him to deny his basic instincts to be with you. Don’t you think that’s hypocritical?”
Astra glared at her sister. “Hypocritical?”
“Oh, please. If some guy asked you to act weak or tone down your aggressive tendencies, you’d be out the door so fast that there would be little streaks of fire and smoke behind you.”
Astra blinked at her sister, unable to think of a single thing to say.
“Besides, it’s hot when vampires bite you during sex.”
“Wait, WHAT?” Astra asked, her voice rising by a couple of octaves. “When haveyouhad sex with a vampire?”
It was Sylvie’s turn to blush. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just telling you there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“I wasn’t afraid,” Astra denied.
Sylvie merely crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Astra.
“Fine, I was a little afraid. I mean, you’ve read the books and watched the movies just like I have. I was concerned that he’d be able to read my thoughts or control me.”
Sylvie made a sound of disgust and shook her head. “I’ve always thought you were the smartest of us, but now I’m beginning to question that belief.”
