Page 68 of The Guardian's Curse

He lay flat on his back next to her, fingers entwined with hers. “Have I convinced you?”

“Not yet,” she said. “Maybe tomorrow.” Her heart pounded as she squeezed his hand. “Alistair?”

“Mm?”

“Thank you for tonight,” she said. “I want you to know that I feel really good with you. Not just the sex, although that is crazy good.”

“I agree,” he rasped.

“But you make me feel safe,” she said. “I don’t know if that means anything to you, but it’s important to me.”

He was quiet for a while, and she wondered if she’d stepped in it. She wasn’t usually so direct, but she usually didn’t bang two hundred year old vampires either. This was different than anything she’d ever experienced. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. “That is very important to me, too. It pleases me to know that you enjoy my company so much. My...my appearance does not bother you?”

She shook her head. “Even if I could see it, no,” she said. “It seems like you think it’s...a shell. Like a turtle.”

“I am a turtle?”

With a laugh, she hooked her leg over his. Thanks to their exertions, his skin was warmer than usual. His muscular thigh was broad and solid beneath hers. “No, silly. But turtles are covered entirely by their shells, right?”

“I suppose.”

“But you’re not a turtle. You’re more like a diamond,” she said. He was quiet. “Your appearance is one facet of you. Maybe it’s the only one you see in the mirror, because you can’t bring yourself to turn it any other way. But I see the other parts of you, too. You’re thoughtful and talented. Intelligent. Generous. Protective. Very good in bed.” He chuckled. “There may be a facet you don’t like, but the entire diamond is something I like very much.”

He clasped her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her fingers lightly. “Thank you. It is very encouraging to hear you say such things.”

“And I know you don’t believe me,” she said archly.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Oh, I’m well acquainted with accepting a compliment you don’t believe,” she teased. She pulled his hand to her and kissed it, gently stroking the rough skin. “Maybe you’ll believe me eventually. I’m patient.” Then she yawned and rose. “I need a snack. Come upstairs with me.”

She got up and flipped on the low light. He growled, but she said, “I’m not looking.”

“I am,” he said in a low, rough voice.

She shimmied her hips and headed up the stairs, naked as the day she was born. There was a noisy rustle, then heavy footfalls as he chased after her.

Alistair Thorne was hers.

* * *

The next day, Shoshanna woke with a pleasant ache between her legs, and the faintest soreness at her neck. Her fingers drifted up to her throat and found two raised welts. His blood had healed the bites considerably, leaving her skin cool to the touch. Just the brush of her fingers ignited a searing heat that seemed to radiate from her heart down to her fingertips.

With a jaw-cracking yawn, she fumbled for her phone. It was already one in the afternoon. Spending her time with a vampire was playing hell on her sleep schedule. But last night was completely worth it.

She scrubbed at her eyes and sat up to check her phone. Along with several missed calls, she had a text from her boss, Jolene, at Average Joe’s.

Jolene: call me when you get a chance

She sat bolt upright and braced herself on the nightstand as the world began to spin. After taking a quick shower, she dressed in comfy clothes and clicked her tongue to call Magneto. He had not been pleased at her long absence last night, so she was making up for it this morning with some wet food and some special treats.

With her heart thumping, she called Jolene. The familiar, noisy clank of dishes in the background reminded her of being at work. That world seemed so far away now, as her entire life had become this small place that was somehow so huge.

“Hey Jo, it’s me,” she said. “Is now okay?”

“Yeah. The lunch rush is winding down,” Jolene said. “Just a second, honey.” There was a pause, then it went quiet. “Stepped outside. I’m not gonna beat around the bush. I know you told me you had some personal things you needed to take care of. Life happens. But I need to know if you’re coming back anytime soon.”

Her stomach plunged. “I was planning on it,” she said automatically, though as soon as she said it, she realized it wasn’t true. In the last week, she barely remembered what it felt like to scrub out chocolate-crusted mugs and swipe debit cards and force smiles for rude customers who treated strangers’ dogs better than human baristas. “Why?”

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