Lucy
Dominik deepens his kiss, his mouth opening, inviting more, so much more. Despite everything, despite the fact I am kissing the enemy, I find myself responding.
I kiss him back, my hand sliding into his hair, the stake slipping down until it’s hanging by my side and he has his arm around my waist, pulling me against him. Now it’s not just his hard abs I feel…it’s something else instead, something I didn’t even believe vampires could do.
And not only that, whatever he is packing—it’s not a stake and it’s not small. I’d even go so far to say…it’s large, very large. Possibly could be used as a weapon itself.
But I’m a pregnant woman. I shouldn’t be having such carnal thoughts, especially about a vampire.
I pull back from him. Dominik’s eyes remain closed for a moment longer.
“You taste like tomorrow,” he murmurs.
“We shouldn’t…”
“Why?” He strokes a finger down my cheek. “I’ve always found not being staked and kissing instead to be much better for my health.”
“And I’ve found staying six feet from a vampire to be good for mine.”
“But the kissing part?”
Fuck! He’s got me there. I can’t deny the kiss curled my toes and many other places too. I can’t deny it’s the first time I’ve felt alive in years and years.
I should deny it all. Dominik is a vampire, my immortal enemy, and I am his mortal one. Although this mortal body seems to have been enjoying his immortal one very much.
So much, I haven’t moved away or attempted to get out of his grip.
“What are we going to do?” I respond, ignoring his question.
“I’d be happy to continue what we were doing,” Dominik says, his eyes not leaving mine.
“I mean about the vampires who want to kill me.”
“You’re a Van Helsing. All vampires want to kill you.”
“Except you, it seems.”
“I know what you are. And it isn’t your lineage,” he says. “I have other plans for you.”
“Do you get how sinister that sounds?”
Dominik shrugs. “I’ve been practicing for a long time.”
I shake my head, a smile lifting the corners of my mouth despite all my efforts to stop it.
“I don’t doubt it.”
“I believe the vampires are a present from my brother, Damek,” Dominik says. “I’ve been trying to find him since he attempted to get Ferenc Kobór to open the vault.”
“He tried to get the werewolf to help him? Not you?”
“He knows I wouldn’t do such a thing. I helped close it, so I’m certainly not going to open it again. It caused enough trouble last time,” he rasps. “And he knows not only will I not help him, but I will actively oppose him.”
I’m beginning to think there were things Grace wasn’t telling me in the same way I was keeping secrets from her.
“But Ferenc didn’t help?”
“Absolutely not. He doesn’t want the vault open any more than the rest of us.”
I relax internally.
“And he has a mate with pups on the way.” Dominik levels his gaze at me, and it is heated.
“Well, I certainly don’t want it open, so why is your brother pursuing me?”
Dominik’s mouth flinches, revealing a little of his fangs. “I don’t know.”
The vampire king doesn’t know something. I decide to file that particular nugget away for later use.
“What I do know is we need a safe house.”
“You mean your nest isn’t safe?”
“There are too many vampires there. Too many for me to protect you from him and from them.” He flashes his fangs.
“I don’t need help protecting myself from vampires.” I lift the stake again, but my movement means I’m pressed against his abdomen…and the other thing…
The thing we don’t even think about because I’m far too pregnant to be even considering what my lady parts are considering.
“If Damek can persuade his vampires to daywalk, even if it means certain annihilation, then you are in danger.”
“How do you know it’s me he’s after? Maybe it’s you. You’re the one following me,” I respond.
Dominik leans into me, and for a moment, I think he’s going to try to kiss me again, but instead he puts his lips next to my ear.
“Do you want to stick around and find out?” he breathes. “Because we need to move if you only have one stake.”
“Move where?”
“Somewhere other than Budapest.”
I think of my friends, still partying in this city, and of my bestie, Grace, who is a brand-new bride. The last thing I want is for them to be caught up in whatever this is, and at some point I have to work out how to tell them everything.
And for that I need time and, as it would seem, a place to hide.
“Fine.” I look up at him, knowing there’s a huge chance I’m going to regret all of this. “I accept your offer. Now, let’s get out of here.”