Dark Obsession (Vampire Royals of New York #3) - Sarah Piper Page 0,68

knew, without reservation, he’d finally grant her wish. He’d turn her into a vampire—not because he was afraid of her human frailties, but because he saw in her a strength and determination that refused to be dimmed, no matter how much darkness life had thrown at her.

He wouldn’t turn her to make her strong.

He would turn her because she was already strong, and becoming a vampire was her choice—one she’d made from the depths of the same inner badassery that had allowed her to face the demons. That had allowed her to survive her father’s death and her uncle’s cruelty. That had allowed her to look into the eyes of a monster and see the human soul inside.

His soul.

Dorian pressed a long, lingering kiss to her lips, then pulled back to admire those beautiful copper eyes once more. He could lose himself in them. In her.

How had she come into his life? How was it even possible she was his?

“Only one thing,” she said now, granting him the gift of a smile as she reached up to trace her fingers across his forehead. “I can’t read your thoughts.”

They were standing before the windows, and Dorian looked out through the glass, taking in the view of his father’s lands. His lands. “I was thinking about fate.”

“What do you mean?”

“For more than two centuries,” he said, “the Book of Lost Souls and the blade of the demon Azerius were buried here at Ravenswood. And a mere eighteen years ago, in a moment of abject desperation no father should ever have to face, yours promised you to that same demon. And somehow, across all the years, all the twists and turns, all the different possibilities, fate saw fit to bring us together.”

“So that’s it, then?” she teased, trailing her fingers down to unfasten the top buttons of his shirt, her touch making him shiver. “You think this was all some twist of fate? A stage play where we’re merely the actors?”

“Is that what you think?”

At his question, her fingers stilled over the next button, and the smile that had shone so brightly only moments ago faded. “I think we were both cursed with fathers who made terrible choices they convinced themselves were the right ones. And those choices—however terrible, however painful—set us on the collision course that ultimately brought us together. If you want to call it fate? Fine. Fate put me on your path.” She glanced up at him again, her eyes flashing with new fire. “But fate did not make me fall in love with you. It didn’t make us. We did this, Dorian. One kiss, one touch, one conversation, one heartbeat at a time. At least, that’s how I feel. If you feel differently, I—”

“Charlotte.” He covered her hand with his own and pressed it against his chest, his heart banging like a wild thing beneath her touch. “Do you feel that? For more than two hundred and fifty years, I scarcely remembered it even existed. And now, it beats again—because of you. For you. What I feel… My love for you… It’s not some cosmic whim or trick of the gods. It’s beyond explanation. Beyond words. Beyond all things. Don’t ever question it.”

Her smile finally returned, and Dorian touched his forehead to hers, breathing in her scent, her very presence.

It was time.

Dorian took one last deep breath, then said, “I have a proposition for you, Ms. D’Amico.”

“Is that so, Mr. Redthorne,” she teased, returning her attention to the buttons on his shirt. “Better make it a good one. Word on the street is I’m an excellent negotiator.”

“I’ve heard the rumors.”

Finished with the buttons, she pushed the shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, then got to work on her own clothing, losing the jacket, the blouse, and the suit pants in quick succession.

He stared at her, his gaze tracing the delicate lace outlines of her jade-green undergarments, his thoughts unraveling.

Charlotte arched an eyebrow, clearly aware of her effect on him. “You were saying, Mr. Redthorne? Or have you already given up?”

“Option one,” he said firmly, sweeping his half-naked goddess into his arms. “You remain as you are—an impossibly stubborn, fiercely beautiful mortal woman whom I vow to love and protect for the rest of your life.”

The meaning behind his words hit her instantly, and her smile stretched wider, her eyes shining with emotion. “What’s option two?”

“Option two.” He lowered his voice to a whisper, the words themselves feeling like a sacred declaration. “I will make you