All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,280

décor theme, demonstrating the money that went into outfitting this vampire haven.

Drawing up the wooden chair, I settle myself at Karina’s bedside, gazing at her innocent-looking face dotted with freckles. Her long auburn hair is splayed across the pillow. Her plump lips are parted in slumber. I let my gaze rake over her nakedness—full breasts, pink nipples, flat belly and rounded hips, slender legs that seem to go on for miles despite her tiny form.

I’m torn in two directions. Desire and jealousy. Has this little mortal replaced me? Or is she just one of many through the decades? The fact that she’s mortal tells me Theo is either guarding his heart because he has not turned his sub, or he hasn’t known her long enough to make that commitment. Either way, I might still have a chance to win him if his heart has not been lost to her.

Or perhaps he would be interested in sharing her. Her blood certainly makes the notion tempting.

I pull the sheets over her body, but resume my station in the chair to watch over her for any signs of medical distress.

Two raps at the door interrupt my ‘medical study’ and I rise as Theo steps into the room.

“How is she?” He shoves his hands into his pockets and stands at the foot of the bed, concern for her in his gaze.

“So far, she’s doing well. She’s healed enough to be believable.”

“Good. Thank you.” Theo’s eyebrows pinch together over his Roman nose. “Is she nude?”

“I had to remove her garments to tend to her injuries. It’s a perfectly acceptable procedure.”

He smirks, and my heart trips clumsily. “You can hide behind your profession all you want.” He inhales deeply through his nose, and sighs. “Delicious as always.”

Although the compliment to her stings a little, I can’t argue. “She smells like cupcakes.”

“Hrmm. What a delightful nickname for her. All strawberries and cream, with her red hair and fair skin.” Desire smolders in his eyes and I stifle a moan.

As I stand, his expression becomes guarded again. “You were right,” I say. “I didn’t give you or Lucius a chance to speak with Bartholomew. I was young and inexperienced, in life as well as the vampire world. I feared the worst, and I was afraid of Bartholomew. I thought if you hated me, it would protect you, and you wouldn’t try to fight for me.”

Theo sighs, his eyes on my mouth. “Well, you were right about that. But what’s changed? I thought you were beholden to Bartholomew until 2041.”

The fact that he knows the exact year my servitude was up gives me a sliver of hope. “He got bored of me. He turned someone new a few years ago, and when I had been ignored long enough, I took a chance and asked to be released. He agreed, and I left before he could change his mind.”

Theo frowns. “How long did you wait before coming here?”

“Long enough to find you and make arrangements to leave London.”

He drops his head back and sighs.

“I have no hidden agenda, Theo.” I dare to step closer. “I just want a second chance.”

“Your timing couldn’t have been worse.” But his eyes search my face. A touch of hope glimmers in his gaze. “I don’t know how much time I have to give, but I could use your help in caring for Karina. And I’m not going to throw myself wholeheartedly into a relationship with you. You’re going to have to show me you want this, and then I’ll have to think about it.”

“I understand. Fuck me. Punish me. Use me. Toss me aside. It’s the least I deserve.” I venture closer, enough for the heat of his body to scorch me. “But let me prove to you I’m yours to do with as you will.”

His hand reaches for the back of my head, where he fists my hair and pulls me down for a possessive kiss. Hard. Wet. Seeking. His tongue plundering my mouth. His hardon grinding against my thigh. God, yes! I have dreamt of Theo for so long, and to taste him once more is a high I never want to come down from.

Moans and panting rouse me from a lonely blackness, and I slowly become aware of my surroundings. My side aches, but my body is cool, caressed by a thin, soft fabric. The moans. The heavy breathing. The sensuality of the deep whimpers and sexuality of the grunts has my kitty mewing for attention. I flutter my eyes open