Page 91 of Blood Match
Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and stalk off. I can’t figure out what his new gameplan is, but I know this isn’t the end of it. Lucien’s not one to let things go, and I have a sinking feeling that there’s going to be a lot more in store from him.
29
Chapter 29
Rowan
“Ithink it’s time we had a chat, dear.”
Crap.
I’ve been waiting for this. The drive back from the Blood Assembly meeting was oddly quiet; none of Gran’s usual easy banter kept us entertained. And I know it’s not just because the meeting was tough. She’s been thinking. Now she’s looking at me strangely.
“Now?” I say. “Can’t we get together in the morning? It’s getting pretty late, and I…have a ton of work to catch up on.” It’s not a lie. I’ll be getting irate calls about financials not balancing soon. But there’s been so much going on; my life barely feels like my own anymore.
“I don’t think it can wait, Rowan.” Gran frowns at me. “What’s happening is important.”
“Right. Yes. Of course. You want my thoughts on the meeting,” I say quickly.
Gran tilts her head. “Among other things.”
My cheeks heat up. “Oh?” I turn away, busying myself in the kitchen. “More tea?” Our cups are still in the sink from before we left earlier. I rinse them out and reach for a dish towel.
“I think you know what I’m talking about, Rowan.” Gran has moved up to the counter beside me and leans a hip against it.
I keep my focus on the cups, which I’m spending too much time drying. Gran’s bracelets jangle as she raises a graceful hand and sets it on my forearm, stopping me.
“What’s going on?”
I keep my attention fixed downward. “Nothing,” I say too quickly.
“Rowan, I’m not an idiot.”
I huff out a breath. “I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it.”
Maybe I never will be. Right now, none of it makes sense. The magic I’ve been flooded with. The politics I’ve been swept into. The irresistible pull of a man who I should hate—
I do hate him, dammit.
But then, why did it hurt so much when he shot me down in that meeting earlier? I shouldn’t care either way. Except feeling those cold, indifferent eyes on me cut deep. Maybe it’s because he was looking at me so much differently not long ago when he had me half-naked.
Yeah, but that was wrong. So wrong.
It’s one thing having some sort of out-of-control erotic reaction to a vampire bite. It’s another to let him kiss me…to plead with him to touch me…to do more. None of that was part of the plan. Not that there’s been any plan.
“You’re going to have to talk about it at some point, dear. Your vampire—”
“He’s not my vampire!” I say too harshly.
Gran raises an eyebrow. “I think he might disagree.”
“I doubt it.”
“Give me some credit, Rowan. I’m old enough to recognize the look of a man who is smitten.”
“Smitten?” I scoff. “Is that even a word?”
“Don’t sass me, granddaughter!” Gran bumps my shoulder. “You were his entire focus for the whole meeting.”