Vampire's Companion Read Free Page A

life. Though at the moment she was an unknowing companion and presented with the truth, would be his unwilling one—at least until he could convince her otherwise, to accept not just what he was—vampire—but what she was—a human gifted with supernatural abilities.
    The memories he left in the wake of his claiming were fact overlaid by fiction, a mix to explain how she’d begun the evening at Fangs on police business, but had awakened the next night in his bed wearing his medallion, her body well satisfied, left marked by passion and suffused with craving.
    His cock jerked with thoughts of that waking, of rolling on top of her before her rational mind built a wall between them. She’d spread her legs willingly for him in those moments of sleepy lassitude. He’d buried his fangs in her flesh and joined his body to hers, giving pleasure as he took it.
    Arousal leaked from his cock head with the remembered heat and flow of her blood over his tongue and down his throat. He craved her taste, needed the press of her naked skin to his, the tight fist of her channel and the sounds of her cries.
    He’d blurred the feeding from her mind but hoped the pleasure preceding her scream of release would bring her back to his bed. It hadn’t.
    She’d dozed. And upon next waking, passionate lover had become cool, controlled cop.
    Seven times he’d asked her out since then. Seven times she’d refused.
    Terach slapped the wall he stood next to. His body hummed at hearing her begin her goodbyes.
    She’d been at the homeless shelter for hours, first helping the children with reading and writing and math, afterward the adults, doing what she could to give them the tools necessary to break free from the cycle of poverty.
    He admired her for it. This was not a new activity for her, though now it had become something more than giving back—whether she would admit it or not. This was refuge, retreat. Avoidance.
    Of him. Of the changes wrought by claiming and blood exchange. Of the future.
    Several moments later she emerged, dressed conservatively. She looked the part of an off-duty cop, as if khaki pants and loose-fitting shirt could hide her femininity, and with it, the cravings of her heart and body. As if somehow clothing served as a shield against tender feelings by projecting authority and confidence. She’d be offended if he told her the short cap of brown hair coupled with fine facial features made him think of pixies.
    His lips curved upward in a satisfied smile at seeing her sweep the area, sensing his presence. He remained motionless, watching her out of the corners of his eyes rather than with the direct gaze of a predator.
    A delicate shiver went through her. Had the breeze cooperated, it would have brought him the scent of dewy arousal, her body’s acknowledgment that he was nearby.
    She moved with quick strides to her car.
    Amusement tempered his hunger. She was conscientious even in the choice of what she drove, choosing a small hybrid rather than a gas guzzler. She would be good for him, making him see the world in a way he hadn’t for a very long time.
    He allowed her to get out of sight before he returned to his dark SUV. A bouquet of amaranth lay on the passenger seat. He stroked a soft white petal then did the same to a dark pink blossom.
    In the language of flowers, these stood for immortality and unfading love. He had the first, in a fashion, and hoped to fill his life with the second.
    Las Vegas was not so large that she could outrun the bond forged by the taking of his blood and the acceptance of his medallion. But given the hour, and the fact she hadn’t returned to duty, he expected her to go to her apartment and she didn’t surprise him.
    He parked, emerging from the car with the bouquet in hand. She glanced over her shoulder, hesitated before stopping and turning to face him.
    Her chin lifted and spine straightened. He held his smile, knowing she would slouch instead if she was aware of the way her nipples