“I am.” The polite conversation was eating at her.
“Then you’re not all the way healed.”
Yet she was going to live. Happiness bubbled up. “Um, thank you.” She set down the fork to meet his gaze. She was now bound for eternity to this incredibly strong and dangerous male. Wow. “I wanted to thank you for saving my life.” The man had given up a lot so she could live.
“No problem.” He polished off his eggs, his gaze dropping to her neck. “The bite will never completely heal.”
“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “A little scar is a small price to pay for immortality.”
“Isn’t it though?” he murmured thoughtfully.
God, what was he thinking? She couldn’t read him. Or could she? Taking a deep breath, she tried to focus on his emotions.
Strong and steel was all she got.
“What are you doing?” he asked, kicking back in the kitchen chair.
She shrugged. “Sometimes I can get feelings from people. I think I’m just intuitive.”
“You’re an empath. In order to mate a vampire, you must have some sort of enhancement. Psychic, telekinetic, empathic…whatever.” He said the odd words as if they were everyday facts for him. “You’re probably a distant cousin to the witches. That’s the prevailing wisdom, anyway.”
Her mouth dropped open. “No kidding.” At this point, she’d believe almost anything.
“Yeah. That’s probably why you became a shrink.” He stood and took his dish to the kitchen. “Finish your breakfast. You need protein.”
The man, or rathermale, was sure bossy. She started eating anyway.
His phone buzzed from the back pocket of his faded jeans, and he drew it out to read the face. Those broad shoulders stiffened.
“Everything okay?” she asked, her healing heart humming.
He texted something and then turned toward her. “Are you all right here for a bit? I have some business to take care of.”
“Sure.” She stretched her neck. “I feel great.” Actually, she could use some alone time to really try out this immortality thing. For the first time in months, she almost felt like herself. She smiled, feeling true joy.
His eyes flared with…hunger? “You’re stunning when you smile, Veronica.”
Her grin faltered, and different kinds of tingles exploded through her abdomen. “Thank you.” She set her napkin on her plate. “We, ah, should probably set some ground rules when you get back.” After she thought about what she would say.
“Agreed.” From the determined set of his jaw, he thought they might argue.
Yeah. They might. “I’ll finish the dishes.” Craning her neck, she took stock of the disaster in her kitchen. Apparently the vampire used every pot and pan to make the eggs.
“Thanks.” He strode past her and stopped, turning at the last minute.
Her chest heated.
He grasped her chin and lifted her face. “I know you’re feeling stronger, but give yourself time to keep healing. You’re not immortal yet, which makes you very fragile.” Leaning down, he brushed his lips across hers.
Her lungs stuttered.
He released her and crossed into the bedroom, returning while still tugging a worn T-shirt over his amazing chest.
“Will I get fangs?” she asked, her mind still reeling.
He snorted. “No.” By the door, he paused, turning to face her. “I’m the only one who can really bite, baby. Don’t forget it.” Then he left.
She stared at the closed door. Was that a threat? Should a threat make her thighs weaken and her pulse race? Wait a minute. Her pulse was actually racing. She threw back her head and laughed. For goodness’ sake. She wasn’t going to die.
