Chapter 19 #3
His eyes roved over Lily’s figure. She wore a lavender sun dress that fell off her shoulders with fluttery sleeves and skirts.
Her shoes were delicate heeled summer sandals that clicked against the stone with each step, taking up a position beside him.
She looked…utterly beguiling. Their eyes met and her heart kicked up, the scent of fresh panic washing over her.
Yet, her shoulders remained straight, proud.
That defiance, despite the fear he caused, made something akin to pride wash over him.
She was so damn strong.
“It’s all right, darling,” Zola cooed, also picking up on her scent.
“Thank you for joining us,” he murmured before turning to face forward.
His luxury town car worked its way up the manor’s drive, Vittorio at the wheel.
He stopped before them, cutting the engine.
Then he was out of the car and moving around it, opening the door.
Bastian Croft unfolded his huge frame, emerging first before helping his mate.
A soft gasp came from Lily—the evidence of her surprise.
Bastian stood, fussing over the pink haired human, whose belly was slightly rounded, just enough to be obvious beneath her long skirt and fluttery blouse. He waited for just a moment before he was striding forward. “Bastian-fucking-Croft.” He extended a hand as he reached the male.
Bastian turned with a slight warning growl, taking a single step closer to his mate, but took Laurent’s proffered hand and shook it. Those keen eyes darted over the massive edifice behind them as he said, “Laurent Sarkas. You vampires and your fucking castles.”
There came not one, but two feminine chuckles. One from Bastian’s mate. The other, from Lily.
“You going to introduce us?” Laurent asked, careful not to let his eyes linger over Bastian’s mate.
Bastian’s arm wrapped around her slender shoulders, pulling her protectively to him. “My mate, Elle. Elle baby, this is the fucking asshole I told you about.”
Dr. Kennedy’s eyes widened. “Bas!” she hissed, smacking his stomach with the back of her hand.
“What?”
Laurent snorted, extending a hand. “It’s a pleasure, Dr. Kennedy. Your work is impressive.”
“Thank you.” Her grip was firm and unafraid as she shook his hand. “I’ve not met many vampires.” He didn’t miss the gold necklaces glittering at her neck, or the way she blinked at him several times, as if she saw something else in him.
“There’s someone I would like you to meet,” he quickly rushed to say. “I think the two of you will get along nicely. Miss Shaw?”
Zola gave Lily a little push, whispering words of encouragement. Lily’s chin lifted and she paraded down the steps like a debutante. If he hadn’t been able to smell her anxiety, he would think she’d transformed. He liked the confidence in her stride.
“Miss Shaw, this is Dr. Eleanor Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy, Lily Shaw.”
“It’s a huge pleasure,” Lily gushed, transforming as she shook the female’s hand. “I looked into your work. Your paper, Unique Instruments Through the Baroque Age, was fascinating. I stayed up until three reading it.”
“Oh!” Dr. Kennedy’s surprised hand lifted to the necklaces at her neck. Her fingers wrapped around them, almost like an unconscious tick.
“Aside from being a clever mathematician,” Laurent informed their guests, “Miss Shaw is a pianist. She graduated top of her class this year, and she’s enrolled in BU’s Ph.D program this fall.” He felt a sense of satisfaction when Lily’s cheeks turned pink, the flush spreading toward her ears.
“That’s wonderful,” Dr. Kennedy said. “And… I didn’t think anyone would enjoy that particular paper. It’s so dry.” Bastian stared down at his mate, lips parted. “What?! It’s a snoozer.”
“Nothing you write is a snoozer,” Bastian softy growled, as if she’d offended him.
She sighed and shook her head, but didn’t bother hiding the soft smile that tugged at her lips as her hand settled on her belly.
“Shall we head inside?” Laurent asked. “Vittorio has refreshments. I’m sure you are eager to get off your feet.” He motioned with an arm, inviting them forward. “Miss Shaw, would you please show our guests to the library?”
“Oh.” Lily’s graceful six foot frame seemed to grow taller. “Yes, of course. This way.”
“Don’t forget my warning,” Bastian growled, falling into step beside Laurent with a firm arm around his mate’s shoulders. That watchful gaze that missed nothing studied the other vampires.
“I haven’t forgotten, Bas. No hungry looks. We aren’t savages.” Bastian merely lifted his brows, as if to argue. He knew exactly how supernatural creatures were about their mates. Protective to the point of unreasonable aggression. In a way, he was beginning to understand the feeling.
He thought of how he’d react with outsiders around Lily. His mood darkened at the thought. Not just because of the sudden, imagined threat, but the realization of how things had changed. How he had changed.
So yes, perhaps he understood more than he cared to admit. Which was part of why he’d wanted Lily’s help in all this. Having another human around would ease the tension, and ideally, put both of his guests at ease.
His eyes fell on Lily for the umpteenth time.
It had been a struggle to keep them off her since she’d emerged in that distracting dress.
Zola’s doing, most certainly. She’d told him about their little shopping spree after he’d seen the bill.
Eight hundred and sixteen thousand dollars.
“But it was all for Lily,” Zola had argued. “I put my own stuff on my card.”
He knew he would spend a thousand times that sum if it meant watching her bloom like this—confident, radiant, alive.