instead of asking Devon to assist. Yeah, as if I would ever defer my responsibilities to him when I had the ability to respond in person, she fumed. Either way, she wasn’t pleased with his decisions that night.
“My student appeared to be in danger, and I’m not going to just sacrifice her to the wolves without intervening,” he retorted. However, he silently conceded she was correct about his being defenseless. It felt as if he would have had little chance against those vampires, even under armed and better prepared circumstances.
She continued to hold his chin firmly. “And as for calling me first when Paige isn’t around, are we clear on that?” You don’t get a pass on that stipulation, my love.
“Clear,” he replied flatly, after which Katrina released his chin. His eyes strayed back towards the social sciences building, and he saw Tanisha watching from her office window with a wary expression.
Damn. He had forgotten she was teaching a night class. He was one of the few full-time faculty teaching a class that late, so the offices were usually deserted by the time of his evening classes. He wondered what she might have seen from her office window.
Katrina noted her mate’s distracted gaze and turned her head to look in the direction his eyes were staring. She fleetingly glimpsed Tanisha before the blinds were turned up. Her mind raced with the possibilities of what Caleb’s friend may have seen. Perhaps she didn’t see anything vampire-specific, unless she noticed how quickly the two vampires departed. If so, she may have to be dealt with.
Caleb didn’t like the look in Katrina’s eyes, and his body tensed. “Oh, no. You can’t,” he challenged, anticipating something grim.
Katrina turned to head in the direction of the building.
“Hold on! You can’t -- No, wait,” he stammered excitedly as his hand darted out to grasp her arm.
She glanced down at his hand, and then stared intently into his pale blue eyes. They had a pleading look, and she sensed the tension in his body and facial expression. However, the rules were quite clear on humans who risked her safety by discovering her true nature.
“Please. Let me find out what she saw first,” he pleaded. “Just give me until tomorrow.”
She drew in a deep breath and released it slowly while considering his request. Perhaps one day’s time will be reasonable to ensure I make an informed decision.
“Tomorrow. No later,” she stipulated firmly.
He nodded. “Fine. Thank you,” he replied with relief.
She bobbed her head curtly and directed him, “It’s time to go home.”
He acknowledged her, feeling very weary suddenly, and walked back to the building with Katrina following closely behind him.
She was happy she had arrived in time and that the vampires apparently meant him no harm. However, she was concerned about his continued angst towards her from sparing Devon Archibald’s life. Maybe she had spoken with Alton far too much lately, but for some reason she was beginning to see the potential benefits to an additional vampire’s being available, if even for a limited period of contracted assistance.
Katrina’s thoughts quickly returned to Caleb, and a yearning, both physical and emotional, rose within her. She lamented how it had been over a week since they had last been intimate together. She took a moment to appreciate his masculine form as he stalked back into the building to retrieve his belongings and lock up his office. She reflected on his recent efforts at working out more, of which she appreciated the results. Not that she hadn’t found him attractive to begin with.
Nice butt, she observed with amusement. Her body craved a sudden desire to take him home and make love to him. But her hopes were dashed quickly when he exited the building a few minutes later with a tight-lipped expression. His footsteps were heavy as he walked towards her, and he stopped a couple of feet away from where she stood.
“Thanks for coming to help me out tonight,” he offered half-heartedly. “I guess I’ll see you at home.”
“Maybe a little kiss for my efforts here?” she suggested.
He stepped forward and bent his face up meet hers. But instead of bending down to meet him halfway, she made him step up on his toes to reach her lips. Although rather than a nice, passionate kiss, he merely popped his lips against hers in a brief peck.
“Thanks,” she muttered darkly. Of course, he’s likely still upset with me over Devon. And I did just suggest I might have to kill one