Page 71 of Hunt Me

She shrugged. “That is the way of a hunter’s life.”

“You must miss them.”

“At times. And you?”

Luka lay beside her and plucked a blade of grass from the lawn. “I do not know.”

“You don’t know?” she asked curiously.

“It has been so long since their passing.”

“How long?” she mumbled, sleep catching up to her. Luka’s lips softened into a smile. There was nothing more that he wanted to do than lie beside his queen and take a cat nap; however, he needed to remain vigilant and couldn’t let his guard down, no matter how convincing their disguises.

“This is nice,” Matilda mumbled once more.

“So, you’ve said. Sleep, Beloved.”

“I cannot.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I have to make sure that young maiden by the fountain who has been shamelessly begging for your gaze doesn’t make a move.”

“What, young maiden?” he asked, feigning ignorance. He, too, had noticed the woman. Since he was an ancient vampire, he had the ability to unintentionally influence those around him when he hungered. Some were more susceptible than others, and it wouldn’t be long before she gained the courage to approach and offer herself to him. He’d politely turn her away, of course.

Matilda released an incredulous scoff. “You take me for a fool.”

“A very enchanting fool.”

Matilda shot up and spoke softly into his ear, sending a shiver down his spine when her warm breath caressed him.

“Let me make this abundantly clear to you, Luka Alesi.”

“No honorific?” he asked with a teasing lilt in his tone.

“To hell with your honorific. I do not share.”

“I meant to speak with you regarding this delicate matter. I wish to take a mistress.”

“That can be arranged,” Matilda answered, standing on her feet.

“It can?”

“I’ll consult a wigmaker once we return home—short hair, long hair, straight hair, red hair, copper hair—I can be a different woman every day.”

Luka released a snorting laugh as he gathered their belongings. “I applaud your flexibility.”

“And yours as well when I establish my harem of men.”

He rolled his eyes and wrapped an arm around Matilda’s waist. They fell in step and journeyed through the town center to the main road that would lead them back to the summer cottage. “Tell me about your harem of men.”

“No, thank you. I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

“You’ll have a harem full of orcs.” Matilda’s lips curled in disgust at the mere image of the bulky and tusked green creatures.

“What a foul suggestion. If I wanted a smelly and barbaric grunting man, then I’d stick with you; I wouldn’t enlist another.”

Luka’s lips curled into a smile. “Smelly?”