Last night, she’d dreamed of Ryker. That, in and of itself, wasn’t strange. She’d dreamed of him every night since he’d left for Sandhaven. But last night had felt more… real, somehow. As if he’d really been there.
Brynleigh had dreamed of them coming together, and when she’d woken, she could have sworn she tasted him on her lips. It must’ve been their conversation. Talking to him on the phone and hearing him call her sweetheart had been the highlight of her week, if not her entire fucking month.
They were mending things. Every text they exchanged and every word they spoke closed the distance between them a little bit more.
That was why Brynleigh was so nervous. She didn’t want to ruin all the work they had done. Not now, when things were finally improving.
So, she paced and paced and paced.
Every so often, she looked out the window. She briefly admired the sun’s golden glow before continuing her path across the wooden floors.
Then she heard it.
The softdingof the elevator, a sound she’d come to recognize over the past few days, was followed a minute later by a key turning in the lock.
They were here.
Brynleigh’s heart caught in her throat, and butterflies exploded in her stomach. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply in an attempt to calm her nerves.
It didn’t work.
She had always thought vampires were cold, emotionless creatures, but maybe that was something her kind learned after several centuries of life. She was as far from emotionless as possible.
Athumpcame from the other side of the door, and a canine growl quickly followed. The doorknob twisted.
Brynleigh’s stomach contorted, and her palms grew sweaty. She wiped them on her leggings, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Would telling Ryker she’d dreamed about him last night be too forward? Should she hug him or just shake his hand? Or should she keep her distance and let him dictate the physical parameters of their relationship?
She probably should’ve devoted some time to these questions earlier. It would’ve been better than pacing. It was too late now, though. She was out of time.
The door swung open. Brynleigh’s eyes widened as a big black ball of fur bolted across the room, clambered onto the couch, and leaped off the back.
Unlike their initial meeting, this time, she was prepared for Marlowe. The dog, more of a bear than a canine, sailed through the air. She widened her stance and braced for impact moments before Marlowe smashed into her.
The pup was massive. He stood on his hind legs, his front paws pressing against her chest, and he ran his enormous, wet, pink tongue up her face. His tail thrummed a rapid beat, moving so fast she was worried it would break something every time it slammed into the side of the nearby table.
“Hey, Marlowe. It’s nice to see you.” Brynleigh grinned, patting the dog’s head.
She loved all animals, but dogs had always held a soft spot in her heart.
Even with Brynleigh’s vampiric strength, Marlow was pushing her back. Good thing he was so adorable. He could probably eat her favorite shoes, and she’d still forgive him.
Probably.
She’d rather not test the theory, though.
A baritone chuckle came from the door.
“Down, Marlie. Let her breathe.”
Marlowe listened immediately, dropping to the ground. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as he looked eagerly between Brynleigh and Ryker.
“Come here.” Ryker pointed to the floor at his feet.
The dog obeyed instantly, running across the living room and sitting for his master.
Fuck, that demanding tone made Brynleigh’s core twist. She had half a mind to cross the room and sit beside Marlowe.
Who knew hearing someone take charge could be so attractive?