Silent Bite-A Scanguards Wedding (1001 Dark Nights) Read Free Page A

only way we can hide from my parents what’s been going on the last few months.”
    He let out a resigned sigh.
    “Let’s go over the story again, just so we don’t trip ourselves up,” she suggested and cast another look up the escalator as more people started to descend.
    “Okay,” Oliver agreed. “You’ve been living at the dorms, but in order to prepare for the wedding, you moved into the guestroom in my parents’ house today, and your parents will be staying in my room, while I move in with Samson until the wedding.” He shoved a hand through his unruly dark hair. “I hope I can remember to call Quinn Dad. At least Rose I can still call Rose.”
    “Why?”
    “Well, she’s not my mother. I’m only related to Quinn as my sire. So, we should tell your parents that Rose is my stepmother. That way, I won’t trip myself up when I address her as Rose.”
    Panic gripped Ursula. Last-minute changes to an established plan always spelled disaster. “Did you talk to Quinn and Rose about that already?”
    Oliver squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry about it. I discussed it with them and also with Blake.”
    Relieved, Ursula let out a breath. “Okay. And Blake knows what to say and do?”
    Blake, who was human and Rose and Quinn’s fourth great-grandson, could be a goofball, but she hoped that he would stick to the plan they’d put together and help them fool her parents that the Ralston-Haverford-Bond family—Quinn Ralston, Rose Haverford, Blake Bond, and Oliver, who had taken Quinn’s last name after his turning—was a typical American family and didn’t consist of three vampires and a human.
    “Blake will be on his best behavior. I promise you that.”
    Ursula rolled her eyes. “Right.”
    “I’ll keep him in line. He’s still scared shitless that I’ll bite him again. So, don’t worry about him.”
    She smiled at him softly. “But that’s a bluff. I know you won’t bite him. You don’t even like his blood.”
    Oliver pulled her closer, turning her into his body. “That’s because you spoiled me with yours. Everything else tastes like battery acid to me.” He inhaled deeply. “Oh God, I can smell your blood now.”
    Ursula shivered as he placed his lips on her neck and kissed her gently. “You’ve gotta stop. People are looking at us.”
    “You’re killing me, baby. I hope you know what you’re asking of me to stay out of your bed for an entire week.” He lifted his head, and their gazes locked. The rim of his irises shimmered golden, a sign that his vampire side was emerging.
    She caressed his cheek. “I know, my love. I’ll make it up to you later.”
    “How?” he asked, his voice a husky murmur.
    She chuckled quietly. “Since when don’t you have any imagination?” She let her hand slide to his neck and scratched her fingernails against it, feeling how his skin turned to gooseflesh underneath her touch.
    Oliver groaned. “I can’t wait. After this evening, I’ve gotten the taste for a lot more.” His eyes seemed to penetrate her. “To suckle from your breast was—”
    “Oh, no!” she interrupted him in panic. She’d just remembered something. “My bra!”
    He looked at her, startled. “What’s with your bra?”
    She grabbed his arm. “It’s still in your bedroom! I didn’t pick it up. Where did it go? Did you pick it up when we moved the boxes with my stuff to the guestroom?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I didn’t notice it anywhere.”
    Ursula’s pulse raced. “Oh God, my mother is gonna find it and then she’ll know.”
    “Is it really gonna be such a problem?” he asked softly.
    “Yes!”
    Oliver sighed and pulled his cell from his pocket. “Fine. I’ll take care of it.”
    “How?”
    He unlocked his cell and started typing. “I’ll text Blake to look for it.”
    “Blake?” Embarrassment swept through her. “You can’t have Blake look for my bra!”
    Oliver tilted his head to the side. “Rose went out shopping, so she can’t do