Hester looks like she’s seen a ghost.
The little green man flicks on, and she takes off at a gallop across the road. By the time I’ve trotted over, she’s speeding down the street, whipping in and out of pedestrians. Fuck, she’s fast when she’s spooked. Or when she thinks she’s going to get her neck snapped.
Trying to send her soothing energy is useless; she’s too far away. I increase my speed and catch up with her at the apartment building, attempting to input the long code, which is a mix of letters and numbers. But she’s forgotten it, so I rush up beside her and whisper in her ear. ‘Shall I do the honours?’ Hester lets out a small scream of fright.
‘T-t-that’s fine. I’ve g-g-got it.’ She scrambles in her tote for her phone. While she’s doing that, I cheekily drape an arm over her shoulder and input the code.
I hold the door open, and she shuffles in with her head down, not meeting my eyes.
‘Chivalry isn’t dead,’ I remark, unable to help myself. ‘But a “thank you” would be nice.’
But there’s not even a glimmer of a smile from Hester, though it’s ironically funny under the circumstances since I am an undead knight.
She walks purposely towards the stairs.
‘Hester ... wait.’
She walks faster, then starts running up them. Shit.
I take off after her and bound up the stairs, taking two at a time like a giant hare. My legs are slightly longer than hers, and I seize her on the first floor landing and press her against the wall. She lets out a loud squeak, and I clap my hand tightly over her mouth. The last thing I want is her coven interfering. She could alert them mentally,but her shield is up. She’d have to let it down to do that, and she doesn’t want me getting in.
‘Calm down, will you? I only want to talk!’ I hiss, holding her in place with my forearm across her chest. It’s partly frustration, but I also want to show her who’s boss. That I’m a strong vampire. That I’m capable of crushing her—
Sharp pain explodes through my groin as Hester knees me. Hard. So hard that my vision turns black. Vampires have a high pain threshold, but being kneed in the goolies still hurts like a motherfucker.
I clutch at my tender balls with a startled gasp, and Hester scoots up the stairs. Somehow, I manage to stagger after her, grab her before she can knock on the apartment door, and block her thoughts from the coven. No mean feat when your entire crotch is on fire.
Clamping a hand over Hester’s mouth, I drag her kicking and squirming up to the third floor. Yeah, I didn’t want to have to resort to physical violence, but she’s forcing me into it.
‘I just want to talk like rational vampires,’ I mutter in her ear. ‘Chill. Nothing’s going to happen to you.’
‘Mmmfff. Mmfff. Mmmmfffffffff!’ Hester emits from behind my hand.
I’m not sure what she’s trying to say. Butmy reassurance seems to work, and she stops struggling, long enough for me to unlock my door.
Placing her in front of me, with my arm wrapped around her waist, I shuffle us into the apartment, still keeping my hand firmly over her mouth for three reasons: One, to keep her quiet. Two, to prevent her from biting me. Three, to stop her from saying the shapeshifting spell. I don’t particularly want a hissing black ball of fur running around my apartment, trying to jump on my head and claw my eyes out.
‘If I take my hand away, do you promise not to yell, bite me, or turn into a cat?’ I say in a low voice.
Her body stiffens, and I chuckle. ‘Oh yes, I know all about your little party trick.’
Hester nods slowly, and I remove my hand tentatively, expecting to lose a finger. But she keeps her promise.
‘Good girl,’ I say and spin her around in my arms.
Our lips are so close I could lean forward and kiss her right now and she couldn’t do a thing about it. My groin is still smarting, so it would be a mixture of pleasure and pain.
And by the way she’s wetting her lips with her tongue, she’s having a physical reaction to wrestling with me, to us being alone in my apartment ... even though she’s afraid ...
It’s a big turn-on.
But no, I can’t let anything happen.
Things would quickly get out of control.
I take a step back, but she fists my T-shirt and pulls me close so I’m at risk of drowning in her beautiful eyes.
‘I thought you wanted to talk,’ she says huskily.
