The sun had set by the time they left the restaurant. Raina groaned to see Valentin leaning against her car. “Did you even have time to feed?”
The vampire smirked and put his hand over his heart. “I’m touched that you care.”
“I just want to make sure that you aren’t planning on biting one of us.”
“And now you wound me.” Valentin gave her an unfairly sexy pout. “Ms. Callahan, I told you that your safety is of utmost importance to me. Now, may I have a ride, or will you make me walk?”
“Can’t you fly?”
His laughter held the texture of roughened velvet. “That is a rare ability with my kind.”
Raina wanted to ask more about what he could do but held her face in an impassive mask. “I guess you’ll have to take an Uber, then.”
With that, she and Alma got in her little Nissan Leaf and drove home. But when they pulled into the narrow driveway, Valentin was waiting on the curb, just outside the protective wards.
Raina glared at him as she got out of the car, noting that he remained outside the barrier. “I thought you couldn’t fly.”
“I can’t.”
“Did you turn into a bat then?” Alma asked him. “Or teleport?”
“I have my ways.” Valentin stood and dusted off his jeans. “You may as well invite me in.”
“Hell no,” Raina said as she shut her car door. “I’ve seen enough movies.”
The vampire laughed. “I don’t need an invitation to go inside your house. I’ve been in there before. You both have interesting taste in art. I especially like the movie posters. I’d just appreciate it if you to let down your ward.”
“No.”
His pout twisted things beneath her ribs. “I am tired of being outside.”
“Then go home.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
Raina threw up her hands in exasperation, and she and Alma went into the house. They tried to ignore the fact that a vampire was lurking outside and watch a movie, but ended up turning it off and going to bed early. Despite her exhaustion, Raina tossed and turned for an hour, countless questions burning in her mind. She gave up on sleep, put on her robe, and went outside. Valentin was still sitting on the curb, reading a book.
He looked up with a smirk. “I’m glad you’re here to alleviate my boredom.”
“Who is Xochitl’s uncle?” Raina demanded, marching up to him.
Valentin’s eyes widened, and he visibly shuddered. “Probably one of the most terrifying beings in existence. I don’t know how much I’m allowed to tell you about him.” He sighed. “I honestly am sorry. I hate all these unknowns and uncertainties.”
“Me too.” She thought of her own concerns with the Nightwatch Society visitor and Xochitl’s email that gave her more questions than answers. Remembering the email, she found herself blurting, “Xochitl said you were watching me during the backstage meet and greet back in February. She said you looked like you wanted to eat me. What did she mean by that?”
The vampire’s lips curved in a wicked smile. “Exactly that.”
“But what—”
Suddenly, he stood behind her. Too late, she realized she’d stepped passed the protective barrier. Valentin’s fingertips swept her hair to the side, and his lips grazed her neck as he whispered, “If you’re asking if I want to sink my teeth into your pretty neck and taste your powerful blood, the answer is yes.”
Before she could respond, he appeared in front of her, his green eyes glowing like dark emeralds. “Or, if you’re asking if I want to part your luscious thighs and plunge my tongue into your plump pussy until you scream my name in pleasure, the answer is also yes.”
Raina shivered uncontrollably as the mental picture he painted sent frissons of arousal jolting between her legs.
“Of course, I will not do either unless you ask me to,” he finished while his eyes continued to blaze emerald flame.
Finally, her faculties recovered enough for her to pull away and step back into the safety of her barrier. “Just because I’m fat doesn’t mean I have low enough self-esteem to fall for your attempts to flatter me.”
Valentin’s eyes hardened. “Just because society often lauds thinner women as paragons of beauty doesn’t mean I have to change my own personal tastes. Nor does it make you any less beautiful. Furthermore, I’ve never felt the need to feign attraction to someone. My flirtations are sincere. It’s one thing if my advances aren’t welcome, but quite another if you think I’m a liar.”
Echos Of Books 