Page 28 of Protected by the Vampire

“Smart business,” I commented.

He smiled and shrugged. “It keeps things controlled. Consensual.”

I nodded once. Couldn’t argue with that.

“Come on,” he added, turning again.

His apartment was exactly how I remembered it. Clean. Minimal. Expensive without being loud about it. Every piece placed with intention.

Very Soren.

I kicked my boots off near the door as I heard the soft click of the lock behind me before I felt his presence close. Only he didn’t touch me. Not yet.

I turned slowly, meeting his hungry gaze as the air shifted, and he stepped forward. Then we collided with mouths and hands. This was exactly where I wanted to be. With him. Always him. I was never gonna get enough of my fated mate.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Spade

A week later, I stood at the bar in the compound with Razor, Riker, Monkey, and Coms while we waited for the arrival of Riker’s brothers. Soren had been caught up with some business at the club, but he was planning to be here as soon as possible. He’d only been gone a few hours, but I was already missing him.

And now that he was back on my mind, I wanted to see his smile, the soft gaze he always shared with me, and to hear his words, no matter who he was talking to.

I was so fucking taken by that man, it was scary to think what I’d do to make sure he’d stay safe. Which was why I understood Soren’s fear and probably why my mortality gave him anxiety. I was easier to kill compared to supernatural beings.

“I bet you’re thinking of Soren,” Riker said, bumping his hip into me.

“How does a person become a vampire?”

Riker’s eyes shot wide. “Are you thinking of being reborn?”

I shrugged. “The thought just slipped into my mind because I was thinkin’ about Soren and how worried he gets for my safety.”

Riker thinned his lips and nodded. “Soren does have a long list of assholes who’d want to get to him in some way or another, and you’d be a high-value target. But you’ll have to ask him about the process.”

“Do you worry about Prez?”

“Every day, every hour, and all the seconds. But all we can do is take each day as they come and know that we’ll murder anyone who tries to break us.” He bumped into me again. “Soren talked to Deacon. My brothers are bringing some goodies for you and Corbin to check out. It’ll help against supernaturals.”

Smiling, I nodded. “Good.” Then I’d have a bit more time to think about switching to the fang style. And I wasn’t hesitating over the switch; I just didn’t want to rush it. Hell, there was nothing wrong with being a vampire. I fucking loved Soren as he was.

I stilled.

I love him.

I fucking love him.

Christ, I wanted him back here so I could tell him.

“You good?” Riker asked.

Chuckling, I nodded. “Yeah. I’m good. Real good. Just wish Soren was here.”

Riker patted my shoulder, which he had to reach up to do, since he was a short stack. “He won’t stay away too long from you if he’s anything like me. I get cranky when I’m away from Corbin.”

I gasped in mock horror. “No! Really?”

He playfully pouted and called out, “Daddy, Spade’s being mean to me.”