“Now say my last name.”
“Monroe.” Sometimes social cues and subtleties like this go right over my girl’s head—and honestly, I couldn’t be more pleased. It sounds perfect, just as I suspected it would.
“Beautiful, thank you.” I trace my thumb gently down her lips before letting my hand slide back to her thigh.
“Huh?” She brushes her hand against mine, tapping it softly. “Why’d you have me say that?” I only grin, which has her patting my forearm. “You’re acting weird. What happened?”
“So, Sydni will need to feed when we stop.” I move on, and relish in the aggravated sigh she produces. “At this point, if you would have it so, I’ll throw her over my shoulder and cart her off.”
She doesn’t respond, not with anything coherent, at least. Everything she says comes out in mumbles, under her breath, or just a string of curse words. This is my eternity with her: a delicate balance of pissing her off and pleasing her in equal measure.
A few hours later,under the cover of night, we pull into a small town tucked between a serene lake and one of the largest waterfalls south of the Baltic Ocean—the body of water separating this country from our northern sister. Though the falls are hidden in the darkness, their distant roar greets us as soon as we step out of the car.
Xeraphine is the first out, taking a deep breath of the crisp night air and throwing her arms overhead in a long, lazy stretch. The brief glimpse of her belly button has my tongue instinctively grazing my upper teeth.
“Never thought I’d say it… but I miss your staring. Creepy Vampire.”
Before she can step away from the vehicle, I’m already at her side. She doesn’t flinch at my sudden appearance; instead, she leans casually against the car, her eyes locking with mine. I move closer, stepping between her legs and bracing myself on an elbow as I lean in.
We’re only a few minutes ahead of Sydni and the others, so I resist the urge to tease her. Instead, I let the back of my hand trail down her leather-like skin, savoring the unfamiliar texture.
“There is nothing better to stare at,” I purr against her lips.
“Shutupppp!” Her hands drag up my chest and rest against my neck. “So stupid.” Pulling me into a kiss, she rolls her tongue against mine as I open to welcome her to enter. Flicking the metal balls in her mouth, I’m rewarded with a soft whimper.
My hips press against hers as my arm slips around her waist, drawing her closer. Her back arches effortlessly, curving to rest fully against the car, molding perfectly to my body.
I’m a weak man, because as soon as her leg lifts, I drag my hand under her tights and take her tail between my fingers.
She shrieks. “Damn it, Kai!”
“Shut up, Xera, and let me have this.”
After she smacks me and we both dissolve into a fit of laughter, Alaric’s car finally pulls into the hotel parking lot. I catch my girl watching me intently, her gaze lingering until the car doors open. Her focus shifts immediately as Sydni sluggishly steps out from the back seat.
Niyla follows close behind, and for that, I’m oddly grateful. I don’t want her anywhere near Brice, even if he’s done nothing but look out for her since pulling her from that vehicle that day.
Sue me—I’m overprotective.
“I’ve checked us in electronically,” Niyla says, supplying a loud, drawn-out yawn. “Check your phones, I’ve sent the information for your rooms. Four in total, and Sydni, I’ve sent you our room details. See you later. Night, fuckers.” She disappears quickly off toward the towering hotel. It’s at least fifteen stories, and I imagine has an incredible view of the lake during the day.
The sign reads“Rocky Hill Suites”and judging by the name alone, it’s probably not cheap. Good. If Alaric can afford a butler—and all the other expenses we’ve racked up so far—he can keep footing the bill for this little stop of ours.
At any point, he’s welcome to fuck off, and we’ll figure out another way to get around.
“Xeraphine.” The Fallen moves toward us, and I narrow my eyes at him. “Can we speak in the morning?”
Looking at her, she wears a disgusted expression—lip curled, nostrils flared—and I can’t help but love it. “Uh, sure, we can all have breakfast together. Whatever.”
Even with her shrugging him off, he still persists, “Alone, just to talk. I won’t try anything funny.”
She snort-laughs. “No.”
“I’ll answer your questions.”
Throwing her head back, she groans, “You are fucking exhausting, do you know that?! I’ll just tell Kairhyse. Why be so secretive?”
“You might not want to tell him what you hear.”
