Bound by Danger (The Alliance #6) - Brenda K. Davies Page 0,37

they would make it through this. A part of her did believe it, but the other part kept waiting for those monsters to show up, drag them back to that place, and destroy them.

She clasped the hand causing butterflies to erupt in her belly and pressed it against her cheek. “We’re going to survive.”

And then, realizing she was holding the hand of a vampire, she released it. He’d hurt her, but she was beginning to realize she liked Lucien.

Maybe she was going insane, or maybe she was an idiot, but she trusted him and had a lot of faith in him. She believed he would do everything he could to get them out of here; she hoped it would be enough. There was a small army of those things, and it was only the two of them.

“Did you call your friends?” she asked.

“No.” He wasn’t going to stay away from her any longer than necessary, even if it was for a five-minute phone call. “I’ll call them before we leave.”

“Did you ask the guard where we are?”

“Camden.”

“I’ve never been here before,” she murmured like it mattered.

“Neither have I, and I don’t plan to stay much longer. Come on, let’s see if we can find some clothes.”

They searched through five more units before uncovering clothes that would work for both of them and sneakers that fit him. Then they trudged to the bathroom.

He waited while she used it first. When she emerged, her black hair was wet as it dangled over her shoulder, and her face was pink from scrubbing it. Her formfitting, red T-shirt hugged her curves, but she’d rolled up the bottom of the jeans to keep them from dragging on the ground.

She looked young and innocent when she lifted her face, closed her eyes, and smiled as the sun’s rays spilled over her face. She was enchanting. Desire bloomed in him, and he shifted uncomfortably when his cock stirred.

Now was not the time for such things, but his lust continued to rise as he took in her beauty. He longed to touch her again, but he restrained himself from stroking her cheek once more. He clearly recalled her silken skin beneath his hands, and he was afraid that if he touched her again, he wouldn’t stop.

She took a deep breath before opening her eyes. Her striking eyes met his before she glanced nervously away.

“I won’t take long,” he said.

“I’ll be here.”

Lucien slipped past her and into the bathroom. Using the paper towels and hand soap, he scrubbed at his flesh and washed his hair the best he could. With his head bent beneath the sink, he watched the dirt flowing down the drain while he scrubbed at his scalp.

He peeled off his filthy jeans, threw out his boxer shorts, and washed all over before tugging on the new pair of jeans. They were too short on him and hung low on his waist, but not many pants would fit him right now.

When he finished dressing, he stepped back to inspect himself. His eyes remained red; it would probably take a couple more feedings before the color vanished, but he’d washed the dirt from his flesh, he smelled ten thousand times better, and his fingers didn’t catch in his drying hair when he ran them through it.

He was still underweight and weaker, but he felt and looked a lot better. He would get them out of the city and somewhere safe, and once he had access to a steady supply of blood, he would feed more and work his way back to full strength.

His chest and shoulders were still damp, so he didn’t bother pulling on the shirt. He would dry as they walked to the guard booth and pull it on before they left. He draped the black T-shirt over his arm and walked out the door.

Callie twisted her hands and chewed on her bottom lip as she waited outside the bathroom door. Her eyes swung back and forth as she listened for the hum of the golf cart. Lucien had told her to call him if anyone came, but she didn’t feel like dealing with the guard.

The door to the bathroom opened, and she turned toward him. She started to speak, but the words clogged in her throat when she spotted him.

He was still gaunt, but with the layer of grime removed from him, she saw every detail of the lines carving his abdomen. No one should have abs that perfect or mouthwatering. Never mind bouncing a