He understood her like no one else ever had. He talked to her as though her opinion mattered, made her feel important for the first time in her life.
That in itself was seductive. She knew they were on borrowed time, but she’d tossed caution to the wind. She didn’t expect to live for much longer and, for the first time in her life, she felt as though she belonged with someone.
Not that she’d ever admit it to him or anyone else. No, she’d protect her heart as best she could, but that didn’t mean she was going to deny herself the pleasure of being with him. If she was going to have the heartbreak when the time came for them to part, she reasoned she might as well enjoy all the good stuff.
He eased back and studied her.
“What is going on in that brain of yours?”
She shook her head. No way was she going there.
“We should get up and talk to Damek.” Because if they stayed in bed much longer, she knew they’d end up making love again. Not that she’d particularly mind. She loved Craig’s body, his broad shoulders, wide chest and six-pack abs. She loved his slightly callused hands on her skin and his hard, hot cock inside her.
But she was particularly vulnerable now because the memories from her past were so close to the surface. She needed to rebuild her walls, reinforce them as much as she could, before they made love again.
And it was making love. She’d had sex with a couple of guys before and there was no comparison between what they’d done and what happened when she and Craig came together.
Craig studied her for a long moment and then released her. “Whatever you want.” He sifted his fingers through her long hair, combing it carefully. “All I want is for you to be happy.”
And all she’d ever wanted was a man who would say these kinds of things to her and mean it. Too bad she’d turned the only one who ever had into a vampire. Not to mention the fact that both their lives were in danger until she killed the creature who’d made her.
Yeah, as always, her life sucked.
Although, for the first time in what seemed life forever, she had something good in her life, someone good.
Craig released her and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “We’ll talk more later.” There was a thread of steel beneath his words that sent a shiver down her spine. He might want to talk more later, but there was a limit to what she’d tell him. He already knew more about her than any other living soul.
He rolled out of bed and padded to the adjoining bathroom. Evie simply lay in bed and enjoyed the view of Craig’s naked butt. After about thirty seconds, she sighed and climbed out of bed and followed him.
Damek was waiting for them when they entered the living room a half hour later. Craig’s shower had taken a little longer than he’d planned, but he didn’t mind. Making love to Evie in the shower was becoming his favorite way to start the day. Or rather, night.
He only wished he knew what was on her mind. She seemed pensive. One moment she was right with him, the next she seemed a million miles away. Her revelations from her past weren’t much of a surprise. He’d known she’d been in foster care and had left as soon as she’d turned eighteen. She wouldn’t have done that if she’d been close to the family she’d been living with.
Like him, for good or bad, her past defined her. Craig knew she was a guarded person, a loner. But he wasn’t going to let her stay that way any longer.
It would take some time, but he knew he could convince her to trust him with her love. She already trusted him with her body, but that wasn’t enough. There was something special between them and he wasn’t about to lose it. He’d waited too long to find a woman like Evie—intelligent, giving, honorable and, best of all, she knew all about him and his family.
Evie was one in a million and worth fighting for.
He also knew she was still planning on sacrificing herself if need be. Knew she felt she had to face Vladimir Drake alone and kill him. Evie wasn’t used to anyone having her back, being on her side. But she’d learn or he’d die trying.
She was holding herself slightly away from him and Craig knew she was trying to put some emotional and physical distance between them. He wasn’t having it. He caught her hand and twined their fingers together.
Damek and Sonia were already seated on the sofa waiting for them.
Craig nodded to his hosts. “Good evening.”
Damek motioned to the glasses of blood on the coffee table. “Drink and we’ll talk.”
Craig seated Evie next to him, ignoring the dirty look she sent him. As long as she was sitting next to him she could look at him any way she wanted.
He almost grinned at the uncharacteristically possessive thought.
He’d certainly changed since he’d met Evie. Craig was beginning to understand his friend more and more with each passing day. Damek was certainly possessive when it came to Sonia.
Craig picked up one of the crystal glasses and started to hand it to Evie.
She ignored him and took the other one that was still on the table. He shrugged and sipped the ruby liquid. “Did you have a chance to check the properties?”
“Yes.” Damek absently ran his fingers up and down Sonia’s arm. “I checked all the ones you sent me. One was a possibility, but it was empty. The rest were a bust.”
Craig nodded. “I probably need another half hour on my computer and can send you everything else I’ve found.
I should have done it last night, but—” He broke off and lifted the glass, drinking deep. No need to rehash last night’s debacle.
“Have you checked your phone messages?” Sonia asked. The compassion in her voice soothed some of the ache in his heart. He still had friends. Good friends in her and Damek.
And his family.
“No.”
“You should.” Damek’s crisp words made Craig stop.
“What did you do?”
Damek scowled at him. “I did nothing other than talk to those stubborn wolves.”
Craig reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He’d automatically put it there when he’d dressed but hadn’t bother to check it for messages. There were half a dozen missed calls from Meredith and almost as many from his sister.
The ones from his sister were easy enough to figure out. She probably wanted to tell him what Damek had said.
The ones from Meredith weren’t quite as easy to figure out. “If they have to be blackmailed into talking to me, I’m not interested.”
Evie had been keeping her distance but was suddenly plastered alongside him, her hand resting on his leg. He could feel her tensing, ready to jump to his defense if necessary. He covered her hand with his, loving the sense of togetherness it gave him.
Damek raised one eyebrow. “Now why would you think they were blackmailed?”
Craig set his glass down on the table and pointed an accusing finger at his friend. “I know you. I know how you operate.”
Sonia laughed and playfully punched her husband in the side. “He’s got your number.”
“The abuse I take.” Damek caught her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed each of Sonia’s knuckles before turning back to Craig. “I didn’t blackmail them.
I didn’t have to. I simply pointed out a few truths to them. But you don’t have to take my word for it, talk to Meredith. Or your siblings for that matter. They were there.”
Damek rose. “I must leave for work.”
Craig jumped to his feet before his friend could leave the room. There was no expression on Damek’s face, but Craig knew his accusation had hurt his friend. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.” Craig raked his fingers through his hair, frustrated with himself and with the situation they all found themselves tangled in.