Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Anger burned in Maggie’s gut. There were other emotions, too, but that was the easiest one to focus on as she guided Anatoly back to his office.
He hadn’t released her hand and she wasn’t keen to let him go either.
Everything she’d overheard rang in her ears, stirring new feelings in her otherwise cold heart that she’d thought long dead.
The second they made it to his office and were closed inside, she spun on him and began to hash out a plan. “You can go above him, right? There must be—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence.
Anatoly pulled her into his arms, holding her to his chest and then pressing his mouth to hers, silencing her with a demanding kiss.
Instantly, her frustrations melted away, replaced by a glowing ache that radiated from her chest all the way into her core.
Maggie put her arm around Anatoly’s neck, deepening the kiss with a soft moan as he put a hand on the small of her back to draw her closer. Swept up in the passion of the moment, she was equally jarred when he abruptly pulled away again.
“Sposiba,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “Though, perhaps I should be perturbed you eavesdropped on conversation.” His tone was teasing, but she could tell he hadn’t exactly appreciated her barging into a private meeting.
“Sorry, my cop side got the better of me,” she apologized sheepishly. It wasn’t like she’d set out to intrude; she wanted only to have his back if he were in trouble. From all she’d heard, he’d had the same thought in reverse, and had done everything in his power to protect her as well.
Anatoly smiled and kissed the end of her nose while also squeezing her hand. “I want to finish our conversation, but perhaps after I have cleaned up and changed clothes?”
“Okay,” she nodded, a tingly, warm sensation going through her. She stole a quick kiss and then stepped back. “Maybe you could come home with me so we can talk without interruption?”
The vampire regarded her for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Da, but first, I need new shirt. I promise, I won’t be long.” With that, he hurried out of the office, leaving Maggie alone once again.
This time, she stayed put and took a seat in the comfortable armchair.
The blanket was still there and she wrapped it around her shoulders, smiling at the familiar scent of Anatoly.
Then she made the mistake of settling into the fluffy cushions, and the next thing she knew, a gentle hand was caressing her cheek.
When she opened her eyes, she found Anatoly looking much more like his usual self.
Only, instead of the black shirt and white collar of his office, he was wearing a navy button up shirt that he’d fastened all the way to the top button.
His hair was pulled once again into a ponytail and there was no longer blood in his beard. It seemed he had showered as well.
“Hey, handsome,” she whispered, unable to stop herself from smiling up at him.
He visibly blushed. “Come, Maggie, let me take you home,” he offered, extending a hand to help her up.
Maggie laid her hand in his and stood to her feet.
She took a moment to fold the blanket before following him to the door.
They didn’t speak as they walked hand-in-hand through the halls, but she wondered what Anatoly was thinking and feeling.
She glanced over at him more than once, and each time he was staring straight ahead.
“Are you okay?” she finally asked as they stepped into the parking lot.
“Nyet,” he answered, then elaborated. “Is hard to walk away when I know there is work to be done.”
She stopped abruptly and he got a pace or two ahead before pausing and turning back to gaze quizzically at her.
“This is my fault… Anatoly, are you sure? You barely know me…”
The vampire walked back to her, raised their joined hands and placed her palm against his chest. She couldn’t feel a heartbeat and he was colder to the touch than he had been earlier in the night, but butterflies fluttered to life in her stomach all the same.
His gaze was so intense, she couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.
“Bishop Peter was harsh, but he spoke true; I have nothing to offer you except my dead heart, Maggie. Being suspended is difficult, but it is not your fault; it was my choice. I would spend entire unlife in regret if I gave up on us before we were given chance.”
His words struck her off-guard. She had wanted to move on from her past and thought dating was the way to do that. So far that hadn’t worked out and now she was entangled with a vampire priest who wanted to be with her badly enough that he was willing to give up his life’s calling for her.
None of it seemed real. She had been with Declan for two years and he’d thrown her away like trash to advance his career. That was what she expected from men, not this. Not this at all.
“Us?” she asked, fearing it was too good to be true. “What does that mean?”
Anatoly leaned in, his eyes flicking to her mouth before he whispered, “It means I owe you proper date night now.” Then he kissed her, long and deep right there in the middle of the parking lot.
Maggie surrendered to his embrace, and for the first time in her life, felt like she had finally found home.