Page 69 of Lord of Vice
“I don’t know about that. As I said, he’s made certain I know how much he hates me.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s just trying to find his way in your powerful world. You do overshadow everything and everyone around you but I have a feeling he looks up to you.”
I huffed and rubbed my jaw. “You’re a pretty smart lady but I won’t allow him to treat you like that.”
“I’ve invaded that safe space he’s used to having. If you want, I’ll leave.”
“You’re not going anywhere, baby. Period. There’s too much danger.”
She shuddered and looked down at Remington. “I know.”
“Come on. I’ll give you a tee shirt and shorts of mine to wear for tonight. Tomorrow your things will be brought over.”
She allowed me to take her hand, guiding her through the house. Remington was already used to the routine, following happily along behind. I was surprised when she pulled to a stop in front of the atrium that I’d designed and had installed.
“This is exquisite. And peaceful. Yet there’s a vibe that’s incredible, as if you could sit here and become revitalized for whatever life tossed your way.”
It was amazing to see my world through her eyes. When I said nothing, I was rewarded with a flush of her cheeks.
“Too philosophical?” she asked sheepishly.
“Not at all. That’s what I was going for and I assure you that my impetuous teenage brother would prefer it being used to grow marijuana.” Which wasn’t necessarily true but at least it brought a smile, a slight giggle to the moment.
“Your house is amazing. Why don’t you stay here? There’s more of a reason than business, isn’t there?”
I took a deep breath. “Let’s just say that we all have things from our past we’d prefer to forget.”
She studied me intently, suddenly doing something that couldn’t have surprised me more. She cupped my jaw, rubbing her fingers delicately across my skin. “For whatever reason she left you, she misjudged the man under the rough and tumble brawn.You have a good heart, Kraven. You’re just terrified to show it. Now, I think I understand why.”
I pressed my hand to hers, keeping her sizzling fingers touching me. It was the most comforted I’d allowed myself to feel in a long time. She had a way of not only getting under my skin but wrapping her entire being around what was left of my soul. Looking for light in the darkness. I didn’t want to burst the bubble that I wasn’t a good man, and nothing would change that. At least not until necessary.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” I told her.
“As I told you before. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. But right now, I feel safe. You’re covered in blood. Let me help clean it off you like you were so sweet to do with me.”
Without hesitation, I pulled her to me, slipping my fingers underneath her hair, tangling my fingers in the long strands. As I crushed my mouth over hers, I felt her tense, finally relaxing a few seconds later. The kiss was perhaps the most powerful of all. Gone were the masks we’d both worn, our true personalities revealed for the other to see.
I hadn’t lied to her and now that I knew her horrible secret, I sensed even more of a strength that I hadn’t known existed. I swept my tongue inside her sweet mouth, longing for the peaceful moment to last, to allow a growth in whatever it was we were sharing.
One thing was certain.
The woman wasn’t going anywhere. Not because of her safety alone but because I wouldn’t allow it. I’d spent so many years wallowing in a loss that had nearly broken me that I’d forgotten how to live or care for anyone. She’d awakened that part of me.She’d picked through the carefully placed locks, finding entrance to my cold, dead heart.
I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, although I knew in my gut that my actions could create the kind of combustible fire that could turn into acid, scarring both of us. I was taking a significant chance, risking her life even more while also doing so with my own, but a decision had been made. I would stick to my decision. Maybe I could find a family after all.
She belonged to me.
The taste of her was as always so incredible, as if I was basking in the kind of sunshine forbidden to a vampire. She allowed me to dominate her tongue without fighting me back, but I knew her surrender would be short-lived. That was something else I adored about her.
When I finally broke the kiss, we were both breathless, a strange look crossing her face.
“Why are you doing this? Isn’t it dangerous to keep me near you like you said?”
“Because I value beautiful things and don’t want them hurt or worse.”
“That’s not the only reason. Is it?” She dared to ask me that question when I sensed she already knew the answer.
There was no reason to lie to her any longer, no reason to keep any secrets between us.