Jelisette’s apartmentwas small but clean. Emery ran his fingers along the spines of the books in the living room. Two empty glasses were drying on the kitchen counter. The pair of vampires had enjoyed several bags of blood when they’d first arrived. Not nearly as delicious as drinking from the vein, but available and satisfying… enough.
Jelisette had gone into her bedroom to shower and pack, leavingEmery to explore. The space was clean, and there weren’t any traces of anyone else here except for Jelisette.
That knowledge lit a glowing ember within Emery. They’d known each other for such a short time, but that didn’t really seem to matter. He was inexplicably drawn to Jelisette. He rarely felt comfortable with others and usually kept strict barriers erected between himself and others. He didn’t feel the need for those at all when it came to Jelisette.
A few minutes later, she exited her bedroom with a black suitcase in hand. “I’m ready,” she said. Her hair was still damp from her shower, and she looked positively sinful in a crimson sweater and black pants that hugged her curves. She wore heeled boots that he was certain weren’t comfortable, but they looked hot as sin.
Emery strode over, his legs eating the small space in three lengths, and he took the suitcase from her. “Need anything else?”
Jelisette took a look around and shook her head. “No. This is just an apartment. Nothing more.” She ducked her head, a shy look that he hadn’t yet seen taking over her features. “And I think… I’m more comfortable with you. If you’ll have me in your cave.”
“You can stay as long as you want,” he said. “Consider my home yours.”
He’d never lived with anyone before, not even when he was mortal, and yet there was nothing but a thrill of pleasure that went through him at the thought of this vampire staying with him.
A dazzling grin danced across her face. “Thank you, Emery.”
She slid her hand into his, and that ember grew into a tiny flame. Fire was deadly to vampires, but there was nothing wrong with this heat burning within him.
If anything, it made him… want her more.
That night, they stayed in the cave and talked about everything and nothing. Emery told Jelisette about his life as a librarian, and she shared stories from her mortal childhood with him.
On the third night, Emery woke up with a smile on his face. He glanced over at the vampire sleeping beside him and sighed contentedly. He was… happy.
Fuck. He hadn’t been happy in a long, long time.
In what feltlike the blink of an eye, a week had passed. The last seven days had been the most pleasurable ones of Emery’s entire existence, and they’d yet to do anything physical. Not that he didn’t want to—gods help him, but Jelisette was starring in his fantasies every time he slept—but they weren’t there yet. It didn’t seem to matter.
At dusk on the eighth day, Emery woke to a raven’s caw. He propped himself up on his elbow as the black bird flew into the cave, a piece of parchment in its mouth.
He plucked the missive. “Thank you.”
With a caw, the bird left.
Emery unfolded the message, read the contents, and frowned. He’d expected something like this to happen, but he’d hoped a few more weeks would pass before it did. He was just enjoying his time with Jelisette so much. Unfortunately, evil never took a vacation, and neither could he. A man had to work, even a centuries-old vampire such as himself. Emery sighed and slipped the note under his pillow.
An arm’s length away from him, Jelisette slept peacefully. She wore silky blue pajamas, the outfit far more fashionable (and expensive) than the sweatpants that he currently wore. Her hair fanned out around her, her eyes were shut, and her lips were parted just enough to give him a peek of one of her fangs.
Ithiar-damned beautiful.
A heartbeat later, Jelisette cracked open an eye. A smile danced on her face. “Hey.”
Her voice was raspy when she first woke, and Ithiar help him if it didn’t make him feel all kinds of ways. “Hi,” he returned.
“Were you looking at me?”
He reached out and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. They’d been doing this all week—small touches, stolen moments here and there. “I was.”
He couldn’t help it. She was a siren, and he was called to her side.
“Did you like what you saw?”
“Gods, yes.” Emery reached out and trailed a hand down Jelisette’s face. Her skin was soft against his calloused hands, and sheleaned into his touch. “How would you feel about taking a trip with me tonight?”
She cocked a brow and sat up, the blanket bunching at her waist. “Where do you want to go?”
“I have a… job.” He ran his tongue over his fangs and puzzled about how best to say this. He didn’t want to scare her off now. “You could say that my particular… abilities are required.”