Page 15 of Wanted 3

"You get a certain look," he said.

On any other night, this would feel romantic. A stroll through the rose garden under a full moon. But tonight, it felt too threatening, too sinister to relax into, but still, every moment with Vlad felt magical.

I paused and led him to a bench where we both sat.

"I do have something to say," I said as he stiffened, watching me with suddenly suspicious eyes.

I sucked in a breath, trying to find the right way to approach this. I was so nervous I had to wrench the words out of my throat with force. "I want you to turn me," I said, finally.

His eyes widened and then he laughed.

Like straight up laughed.

Like full belly laugh.

I pulled back, tears stinging my eyes. I didn't know what I’d expected, but him mocking me certainly hadn’t been it.

I rose to my feet, hiding my face. I didn’t want him to see how much hurt his laughing had caused. So, I was a joke to him. Not a forever love, but rather a momentary lay. Clearly, his declarations of love were just a seduction ploy. He probably said them to all the women he took to bed.

But I took no more than two steps before he grabbed my hand and pulled me unto his lap.

I stiffened, no longer content to play the convenient lover role. "Let me go," I growled, fighting the tears.

"Why are you angry?" he asked, sounding confused.

"I'm just a joke to you. A toy."

"Is that what you think?" He shook his head.

"Isn't that why you find the idea of turning me into a vampire so hilarious?"

He cupped my face, his gaze penetrating mine. "I thought you were about to tell me you'd had enough, that this life was too dangerous for you and you wanted out. And you would be right. If I was less selfish I would push you away. Out of this world of danger and magic.” He paused and then smiled, a tender smile. “But I can't let you go. I laughed out of relief. I never imagined you would want to become a monster, to be with, and love, a monster like me."

The breath I didn’t realize I'd been holding left me in a rush, to be replaced by a bone-deep relief. "So…” I hesitated and the asked, “You don't want to get rid of me?"

He chuckled softly.

"Woman, did you not hear any of the words I spoke to you last night? I want you forever. You are mine."

I slipped my arms around his neck, and he pulled me into a deep kiss that crashed through my body, sending waves of pleasure that left me breathless, intoxicated, and in desperate need of more.

As he trailed kisses down my chin, onto my neck, I melted into him.

"You want to become a vampire?" he whispered against my skin.

"Yes. I want to be with you forever," I said. "And I want to be stronger. Faster. More powerful."

"You would be giving up a lot," he warned, his hands sliding down my back to cup my ass.

"I would be gaining so much more," I countered, moaning a little as his teeth grazed my skin, teasing at the pulsing vein.

"You won't be able to have children. Or enjoy the sun." His voice softened at this, making me realize he considered those his greatest losses.

"We have Jeremy. He can be our child," I whispered back. "And you are my sun."

His breath hitched at that, and I felt his arousal beneath me as he pressed closer still.

"It will hurt," he said finally, his teeth pressing against my flesh.