All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,252

show up. I’d love to take care of her stalker problem tonight.

Once Zoe is finished with her friend, we get back into my truck and I turn toward the interstate. Zoe has this secret smile on her full lips. “What are you grinning about?”

Zoe laughs. “Holy shit, Karina is head over heels for Theo.”

I’m not surprised the redhead likes the powerful vampire. Theo has tried to hide his feelings for the girl, but he hasn’t fooled me. A thought strikes me. Does Zoe already know what I am because Theo divulged the truth to Karina, and she told Zoe? I dismiss the idea. Zoe speaks her mind. If she knew I was a vampire, surely, she would have said something by now.

Zoe giggles and rests her head on the window of my truck. “Theo’s the only guy she’s ever been with in the dungeon. She can’t stop thinking or talking about him. I had no idea I was introducing her to a dom she would fall for all those months ago.”

I smile at her across the cab. “She’s not the only one who’s fallen for a dom at Toxic.”

Zoe purses her lips and furrows her brow. “Have you been medicated for those delusions?”

I laugh as I park the truck in my driveway and turn it off. “C’mon smart ass.”

“Holy shit! How can you afford this on a bouncer’s salary?”

The lights in my house are set on automatic timers, and most of the windows are lit. She hasn’t seen the best part yet. I spent months working on the backyard. It’s my favorite place on my property.

Having her here feels right. “Careful investing.”

She nods her head and cranes her neck around as she takes it all in. I exit the vehicle and open the rear passenger door to grab her bag. Rather than wait for me to open her door, she jumps out and stumbles. I drop her bag and blur around the truck to keep her from falling, but she manages to catch herself. Good job… if you’re trying to expose yourself.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Are you all right?”

She blushes. “Yeah, just a klutz.”

I chuckle. “Wait for me next time and I can ensure you’re graceful all the time.”

She laughs as I go back to pick up her bag and lock the truck with my key fob. Guiding her to the house with my hand at her back, I take a couple of deep breaths, hoping to clear my head. Being in the confined space of the cab surrounded by her luscious bouquet was pushing my boundaries of self-control.

We enter through the front door and I can’t help but feel like a visitor in my own home. I usually park in the garage and use that as my ingress and egress from the house. I am impatient and don’t take the time to drive around to the back of the house.

Zoe stalls in the entry when I close the door and move to the living room. “You gonna stay there all night?” I ask.

She laughs and follows me. “There’s a lot to take in. Your entrance is bigger than my bedroom.”

I wrap my arm around her waist. “I have something else that’s big. I think you’ll find it far more appealing.”

“Well, don’t be modest or anything.” She rolls her eyes.

I grin and, with a tug of her hand, escort her through the kitchen, office, and dining room downstairs before walking her to the patio to show her my pride and joy. “For your information, smartass, I was speaking of this.”

Zoe’s jaw comes unhinged and she gawks at the space. “Oh, my God.”

My muscles unclench and unwind when we step through the outdoor kitchen. I did all the construction on the built-in eating area and deck. The pool was done by a contractor, but it is one of my favorite spots, nonetheless. The cool water enveloping me on a hot summer night is a perfect contrast.

“I could spend hours out here.” Zoe turns in a half circle and gazes at my yard and the desert beyond it. The night is peaceful and quiet.

I nod, distracted by the fact that her beauty far eclipses our surroundings. “I spend a lot of time out here. Whether it’s after work or on my nights off.” I take her hand. “Let me show you upstairs.”

Her heart races and her pupils dilate. Thank fuck she’s ready to move this night forward. I’m at the end of my rope.

I take her through