My heart raced. “Is he okay?”
“He’s doing great. No issues at all.”
I was overwhelmed with relief. “Can I talk to him?”
“Not yet, I’m afraid. He’s going to be drowsy from sedation for a while,” the doctor said. “He also needs a lot of rest, since it was an invasive procedure.”
“I understand,” I said. I was a bit disappointed, even though logically, I expected the wait. Caleb had just undergone major surgery. I needed to be patient.
The doctor continued. “When he’s ready, he’ll be able to call you on his own. Maybe in a day or two?”
“Great,” I said, excitement fluttering in my chest. “Thank you so much.”
Pierce, who was at his desk, turned around in his chair to smile. “I couldn’t help but eavesdrop - improved hearing and all.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Then you already know all about it.”
“Yes. Caleb is recovering.” Pierce strode over and embraced me. I melted into him, relieved and happy. “That’s wonderful news.”
“It’s all thanks to you,” I said, my eyes welling. “Without the money, I don’t know what I would’ve…”
Pierce hushed me, pulling me into another embrace and rubbing my back. “Don’t speak of such things. We won’t dwell on the past any longer, will we?”
“Guess not,” I said, muffled in his shirt.
“We should celebrate,” Pierce suggested. “How would you like to go on a date in the outside world?”
“A date?” My cheeks flushed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been on a real date - a nice one, at least. My previous encounters had only been for sex, not because the other guy was actually interested in me. It still blew my mind that Piercelikedme.
“Yes. No drinking for you, of course,” Pierce said. “And obviously, none for me either.”
I laughed. “Gee, two guys on a drinkless date. How fun.”
Pierce stole a kiss from my lips, making me shiver, then drew away to the wardrobe. “Shall we get ready, then?”
I quickly showered in the suite, realizing with some embarrassment how strongly my natural body scent stood out compared to the practically scentless vampires, then changed into my nicest outfit. It wasn’t much - just a button-up white shirt and some black pants with a matching blazer - but they were the nicest clothes I owned.
When I returned to Pierce, my jaw dropped.
His oil-black hair was slicked casually backwards, with a few pieces hanging playfully in front of his forehead. His dark suit matched his eyes, which glinted like daggers, and he wore a mischievous smirk on his lips.
All I could say was, “Uh, wow.”
He approached me with open arms. “Well, then, my love. Are we ready to leave?”
My heart did a backflip at being called hislove.“Yeah,” I stammered, then blushed deeper. I didn’t think I would ever get used to being with someone so ridiculously handsome and powerful.
But as we reached the hall, I came face-to-face with a snarling vampire and yelped.
“You!” Margaret hissed.
Pierce put himself between us so quickly my brain couldn’t register the movement. “What is it now, mother?” he said firmly.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Margaret snapped at us.
“Out,” Pierce replied, his voice calm and even, but I could hear the anger boiling beneath the surface. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
But Margaret didn’t move. I didn’t think even a herd of stampeding horses would make her get out of the way.
