Page 36 of Love Bites

Hell, maybe I needed to invest in a few wooden stakes and some garlic, too.

It wouldn’t work… but it just might be my best shot at stopping myself from catching feelings for the big, gorgeous bastard.

nine

DAMIAN

I woke up before Blair,and let myself take her in for a few minutes before I moved.

Unfortunately, she was still clinging to that damn pillow, snuggled up like it was her mate instead of me.

Winning her over would take time.

I was going to have to be patient.

Patience just fucking sucked.

I hit the button to raise the canopy enough to roll out of bed, then lowered it for her again. She could sleep in, but I had work to do. Way too much work. My month-long tournament ensured that.

I’d gone through the highest priority portion of Louise’s paperwork mountain and made plans to handle the reasonable requests we had received. Most of them were from smaller vampire clans around the country who needed help, training, a protective escort to Mistwood, or money.

Usually money.

I had to connect those clans with the people in charge of our finances. When they set up meetings, they’d set them up with every individual clan member, and I’d be asked to join most of them.

It was painfully boring, every time.

But they needed me, so I didn’t turn them down. I was their leader for a reason.

I got dressed and rummaged around in the library portion of our room for a piece of paper, scribbling out a quick note.

Little Siren,

I’ll be working in my office until you’re ready to go pick up your things. Try to leave without me and I’ll chain you to my side. Your sisters are invited too, if they want to come. I can bring extra vampires to pack their things if they’d rather.

Damian <3

The heart was added after a moment’s pause. She’d said she liked hearts the day before, and I needed to use every small advantage she gave me when the woman despised me like she did.

I grabbed a bit of tape and stuck the note on the elevator’s frame so she wouldn’t miss it. Then, I called the elevator and headed out.

Work made the time pass quickly. I finally looked away from my computer’s screen when my office doorknob jiggled a little before noon.

“Why did you lock the door?” Blair called out from the other side. Something within me eased with her presence.

I hadn’t gotten messages from anyone who’d felt her magic yet, but I’d checked my phone more than a handful of times just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.

Part of me itched to get one, just so I had an excuse to track her down.

I crossed the room quickly, unlocking and opening the door without pause.

The sight of her alone made me let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

She was still wearing my long-sleeved tee, at least. It fell to her knees, so it covered enough of her that I wasn’t itching to throw her in a room and lock her away from the rest of my vampires. Her hair was a mess, and I suppressed the urge to run my fingers through it. Not to smooth it—just to feel it.

I was fucking obsessed.

There was still glitter all over her, but somehow, that made me want her even more.

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