Anatoly smiled and kissed the end of her nose while also squeezing her hand. “I want to finish our conversation, but perhaps after I have cleaned up and changed clothes?”
“Okay,” she nodded, a tingly, warm sensation going through her. She stole a quick kiss and then stepped back. “Maybe you could come home with me so we can talk without interruption?”
The vampire regarded her for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Da, but first, I need new shirt. I promise, I won’t be long.” With that, he hurried out of the office, leaving Maggie alone once again.
This time, she stayed put and took a seat in the comfortable armchair. The blanket was still there and she wrapped it around her shoulders, smiling at the familiar scent of Anatoly. Then she made the mistake of settling into the fluffy cushions, and the next thing she knew, a gentle hand was caressing her cheek.
When she opened her eyes, she found Anatoly looking much more like his usual self. Only, instead of the black shirt and white collar of his office, he was wearing a navy button up shirt that he’d fastened all the way to the top button. His hair was pulled once again into a ponytail and there was no longer blood in his beard. It seemed he had showered as well.
“Hey, handsome,” she whispered, unable to stop herself from smiling up at him.
He visibly blushed. “Come, Maggie, let me take you home,” he offered, extending a hand to help her up.
Maggie laid her hand in his and stood to her feet. She took a moment to fold the blanket before following him to the door. They didn’t speak as they walked hand-in-hand through the halls, but she wondered what Anatoly was thinking and feeling. She glanced over at him more than once, and each time he was staring straight ahead.
“Are you okay?” she finally asked as they stepped into the parking lot.
“Nyet,” he answered, then elaborated. “Is hard to walk away when I know there is work to be done.”
She stopped abruptly and he got a pace or two ahead before pausing and turning back to gaze quizzically at her.
“This is my fault… Anatoly, are you sure? You barely know me…”
The vampire walked back to her, raised their joined hands and placed her palm against his chest. She couldn’t feel a heartbeat and he was colder to the touch than he had been earlier in the night, but butterflies fluttered to life in her stomach all the same. His gaze was so intense, she couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.
“Bishop Peter was harsh, but he spoke true; I have nothing to offer you except my dead heart, Maggie. Being suspended is difficult, but it is not your fault; it was my choice. I would spend entire unlife in regret if I gave up on us before we were given chance.”
His words struck her off-guard. She had wanted to move on from her past and thought dating was the way to do that. So far that hadn’t worked out and now she was entangled with a vampire priest who wanted to be with her badly enough that he was willing to give up his life’s calling for her.
None of it seemed real. She had been with Declan for two years and he’d thrown her away like trash to advance his career. That was what she expected from men, not this. Not this at all.
“Us?” she asked, fearing it was too good to be true. “What does that mean?”
Anatoly leaned in, his eyes flicking to her mouth before he whispered, “It means I owe you proper date night now.” Then he kissed her, long and deep right there in the middle of the parking lot.
Maggie surrendered to his embrace, and for the first time in her life, felt like she had finally found home.
Chapter Twenty-Four
They finally arrived at Maggie’s apartment without further incident. Through the drive from the church and up the three flights of stairs, Maggie felt like she was floating in a bubble; Anatoly hadn’t let go of her hand for more than a few seconds here and there.
The second they were inside the apartment, she jumped him, throwing her arms around his neck and crushing her mouth against his.
He staggered back into the closed door, his hands grabbing her waist. He seemed to understand her need, for he deepened the kiss and pulled her hips in close. She gladly pressed into him, sighing with satisfaction at the impressive arousal straining between them.
Anatoly broke away from the kiss, a sly smile brightening his face. “I was right, you are temptation, Maggie.”
She tried to pull him back in for more, her body humming with need, but he pushed her back and slipped away from the door and further into the room. Confused, Maggie frowned and spun in place to keep her eyes on him.
“I don’t understand…” She wanted to reach for him, but wasn’t sure if she should after he’d gone to such lengths to put space between them. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Nyet,” he answered, reaching his hand out for hers. His fingers were cool, but she appreciated that small point of contact. “I am trying to resist temptation.”
Maggie shook her head, still not comprehending why he wasn’t taking the opportunity to get into her pants. Isn’t that why he’d come home with her? “Don’t you want to have sex?” she asked bluntly.
A faint blush colored his cheeks a shade of pink reminiscent of her sweater. He cleared his throat, his eyes shifting around the room with uncertainty. “You speak of it so casually, but it is sacred to me. It is not matter of wanting, it is matter of when is right time.”
She started to protest, but he stepped back to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Maggie, I want to respect you. It has been long evening and I know you are tired. You fell asleep in armchair, remember? I am only here to answer few more questions and to see that you are safe.” Then he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers, his expression softening. “You are worth more to me than only physical attraction… I want first time to be special.”
