A Vampire for Christmas(5)
And you always do what a stranger tells you?” Things would’ve been so much easier if she had left. He didn’t want to deal with her. He just wanted to forget her.
Why did I ask her to wait then?
Irritated with himself, he wanted to pound on something again. Split-second decisions for a vampire among humans, especially a Council member, had to be the correct ones. Slipups and mistakes could be costly. Why did he always forget who he was and what his responsibilities were when he was around this woman?
Her chin jutted out indignantly. “I couldn’t just leave. Not without knowing what happened.”
Why? You don’t know me.”
Well…I…” For a moment she looked flustered, unsure of herself. Then, just as quickly, her expression darkened. “If I think the stranger is a cop, then yeah, I listen. I might need to give a statement or something. I don’t know how these things work. It’s not like I’ve ever been the victim of an almost-mugging before.”
More like an almost-murder, he thought bitterly. “A cop would identify himself. I didn’t.”
Yeah, I get that now.” With a shaky hand, she tucked her chin-length raven hair behind an ear.
You’re way too trusting,” he growled.
Gee, thanks for the insight.” She grabbed the keys, sucking a hissing breath through her teeth as she tried to turn the ignition.
What’s wrong? Did they hurt you? I thought—” If he knew those two bastards had touched her, he wouldn’t have arranged for a pickup. He’d have staked them then and there and watched their bodies turn to ash.
I’m fine,” she said curtly. “Thanks for coming to my aid.”
No, she wasn’t. “Let me see your hand.” He opened the door and leaned in.
She gasped.
Damn. He was being too forward with her, forgetting that he needed to act as if she were a stranger to him. To make himself less intimidating, he knelt so that he had to look up at her face.
The faintly vanilla scent of her skin filled his nostrils, bringing back all sorts of memories. Talking. Laughing. Long walks through the city. Burying his nose in her hair as he made love to her.
He ground his teeth together and forced those thoughts from his head. Relationships with humans were frowned upon, especially for a Councilperson who was supposed to set an example for others to follow. Although matings between vampires didn’t always produce offspring, those with a human never would. Maintaining their population, especially given that its numbers were so low, had always been one of their prime objectives.
His relationship with Charlotte last year had progressed quickly. What he’d intended to be just an indulgence had turned out to be so much more. Although she hadn’t known the truth about him, he had begun having real feelings for her. Then there was that horrible business with his cousin, which, coupled with the deathbed promise he’d made to his father several months before, had been the catalyst that had forced him to do the right thing. Over and over he’d told himself it was a blessing in disguise when he had to wipe her memory. She could never know the truth about him. Not only did she deserve much more than a relationship built on lies, but if he wanted the Council to vote him in, things between them had to end.
I told you, I’m fine. I don’t need your help. You can leave now.” Her voice was strained and she still looked frightened from her ordeal. He’d been too short with her.
This would be the perfect opportunity to step away and close the car door, let her leave, he told himself. But his feet felt cemented to the spot. “Please.”
She hesitated, but still didn’t give him her hand.
Those two were bad news. I figured you’d just drive away.” He ran a finger inside his suddenly too-tight collar.
She looked appalled. “Without knowing what happened? What if you had needed help? It was two against one, you know.”
Touched by her concern, he resisted the urge to reach out to her, run a finger along her jaw. Nothing had changed about her. She was still more concerned for someone else’s well-being than her own. Hell, if he’d thought things through, he’d have known she wouldn’t leave without finding out what had happened to him.
He’d count to three, he told himself, and if she still refused his help, he’d go.
One. Two.
She held out her hand and he took it before he said three.
The instant he touched her, a jolt of electricity shot up his arm and she gave a gasp of surprise. Just as quickly, he put up a mental barrier to stop the sensation.