Page 39 of Pike

“Come up with anything good?”

“A few good things,” he said. “A few bad. The other ladies are history.”

“Then I must have been right about the ribs. Who knew missing a few meals would be enough to have you resembling a stick figure.”

“Actually, I haven’t had the need to feed. For which I thank you,” he said as he stood with his hands behind him, a hint of hesitation in his voice and manner. His usual arrogance was nowhere in evidence. And somehow that shot her nerves straight to hell.

“You mean you’ve been feeding off my love for you even though we haven’t seen each other? I’m better than I thought, then. If it was me.”

“It was you,” he insisted. “All of it. I’ve been so fucking blind, Lavinia.”

“If this is your way of apologizing, you are about three years too late. These are things you should have told me when we first met. Not when I’m ass-deep in loving you.” Memories flashed through her mind, the feeling of strong arms coming around her waist and drawing her to the bed. The cool evening breeze on her over-heated skin. The crack in her heart from his deception.

“Or this could just be more of your seductive lies. Which is it? Never mind, I don’t really want to know. I’m fine without you,” she continued. “I’ve got a long life ahead of me.”

“I know. I want to be part of it.”

“Don’t make me laugh.”

“This isn’t a joke, love. I’m being honest.”

“Yeah? That’s a stretch for you.”

“Look.” He raised his fingertips to her face and slowly pushed the hair away from her eyes. “I’ve lived for centuries on love and lies. It’s all I was taught since I was made. I didn’t realize there was any other way. Might I insist, however, there might not have been any other way? Until you were made.”

“Until I was made,” she repeated. “Sure.” A combination of distrust and denial took her breath and she stood there, wondering at his end game. If he tried to win her back now, would his meal double? Was the love from a heart healed by forgiveness enough to last him months? Years?

She would be okay either way. Whether he told her exactly what she wanted to hear or made the final exit from her life, she would be okay. She would continue to love him, but she would be okay. Except that her desire for happily ever after made that more than likely impossible.

“There’s no one like you in this vast world. Believe me, I know. I’ve looked. I would still be playing, cheating, and scrapping around for meals. Then you found me.”

Something was going on. Call it her woman’s intuition, but Lavinia knew something was happening. “I shouldn’t have gone searching for you that first night.”

“Searching for trouble, more like. I am nothing but trouble. I’m yours, however. If you’ll have me.”

She glanced down to the ground and her feet instead of looking at him. “You’re just saying that because you don’t think you can live without me.”

“Love, I can’t live without you,” he said softly, and her heart rate doubled, “truly. However, that’s not the only reason why I want to be with you.” His thumbs stroked away her tears before gathering her against his chest. “I knew you were in trouble tonight. I was terrified I wouldn’t reach you in time.”

“You did.”

“Yes. But if I’d been a second too late—”

“Then you know I would have had it covered,” she finished for him. Relief flooded her nervous system so completely she thought she would slide down to the ground. Would have if Pike hadn’t held her up.

She felt his smile against the top of her head. “Exactly.”

“You know, I could really use a shower. I’m covered in grime. Grime and ghoul. It was a hell of a fight.”

His fingers trailed along the dip of her waist. “You’re sexy when you’re filthy.”

“Do you mind if we go back to your place?” she asked.

“Depends. How long are you planning on staying?”

“That’s up to you.”

“How about the rest of forever?” This time there was nothing but interest in his question. “I find I quite like you with me.”

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