Aida leaned against Julian’s side as Cassidy’s beautiful voice filled the barroom. Closing her eyes, she listened to the reassuring beat of his heart as it drowned out the numerous other heartbeats surrounding her.
She wasn’t hungry, Julian kept her well-fed, but the rush of human blood filling the room was a temptation almost as loud as the piano. When her fangs tingled, she turned her head into Julian’s neck.
Inhaling the scent of him, her stress eased. She felt more in control of herself when she turned back to the stage. Life as a vampire was strange, but with Julian, Cassidy, and Kyle to help guide her, she felt confident in her ability to control herself.
After her transition, she decided to call out of work for the rest of the week. She’d required more time than she expected to adjust to the brightness of the world and the noise. She also couldn’t part from her mate.
She returned to work today, and tonight was their first night out of the apartment since her transformation. Work was difficult at first, but she found herself slipping into her old role as easily as her favorite pair of jeans
Before returning to work, Nicolette insisted she bring a doctor’s note with her. Aida was more than a little annoyed by this. She’d never called out before, and though she wasn’t really sick, Nicolette should have trusted her even if, in this case, that trust was misplaced.
However, she couldn’t tell Nicolette the truth. She didn’t think “I might eat the customers” would go over too well with her boss.
Besides, providing Nicolette with a note proved to be simple. By the time Julian finished speaking with her, Nicolette believed Aida had brought her a note stating she had pneumonia for the past week.
Three days ago, Mollie, Mike, and Julian’s parents came for a visit. They only spent the night, but Aida loved seeing them again, especially Mollie. They sat on the roof and stayed up all night talking until they were too exhausted to speak. Then, they’d sat with their arms around each other and watched the sun glint off the windows as it rose over the city.
In two weeks, when she had two days in a row off again, she and Julian were going to Maine for a visit. His siblings, nieces, and nephews were eager to see them, and he was excited to see them too.
Aida was looking forward to the trip, but more, she was looking forward to their future. She’d never wanted to be a vampire, but she was so incredibly happy she got to spend the rest of her days loving this man.
Julian draped his arm around her shoulders as Cassidy finished her song and gave an elegant bow. The young men at the front leaned forward in the hopes they could see down her shirt. Disappointed, they all leaned back again.
Applause thundered through the packed bar. “Encore!” someone shouted, though it was still early and Cassidy was only getting started.
“I’ll be back soon,” she said as she grinned at the crowd and gave a little wave before descending the stairs and heading for the hallway.
“Are you ready to go home?” Julian inquired.
She smiled as she turned to kiss him. “More than ready, and I’m not wearing any underwear.”
Julian would have laughed if his mouth hadn’t gone dry. He gulped when she gave him a sultry smile. Digging into her purse, she pulled out her keys and dangled them before him.
“I’m wearing a skirt, which makes running difficult, but I’ll still race you home,” she said. “Winner gets to make the loser do whatever they want in bed.”
Grabbing her hand, Julian threw some money on the bar and waved to his brother before leading her out the front door. Once they were outside, Julian stopped beside her as she pulled her heels off and held them in her fingers. She’d prefer to be barefoot on a city street than lose this race.
“Ready?” he asked, and she nodded. “On your marks. Ge—”
She pushed him away from her and ran.
“Cheater!” he yelled after her.
She giggled and dashed in and out of the people strolling the sidewalks while he chased her down the street. Careful not to run too fast, she still poured on enough speed to stay ahead of him, but she suspected he was letting her win.
He caught her at the outer apartment door and spun her into his arms before taking the keys from her to unlock the door. He carried her inside and up the stairs.
“You may be a cheater, but I’m going to love you for the rest of my life,” he told her.
She rested her hand against his bearded cheek. “All’s fair in love and all the devious things I’m going to make you do.”
He laughed, and she kissed him. He’d been so much more relaxed since they completed their bond. She sensed his inward calm every time they exchanged blood or their minds brushed against each other. All the suffering it took for them to get here was worth it as every day, her love for him grew and their bond deepened.