Page 45 of Vampire's Hearth

As if on cue, Dani appeared through the rear partition. “Would you like a drink before bed?”

Mac looked between Lyra and me. “Ladies, how about a nightcap?”

I shrugged. “A glass of bourbon would be excellent.”

“And for you, miss?” Dani asked Lyra.

“Is there Chardonnay?” Lyra asked.

“Of course,” Dani replied. “Sir, your usual?”

Mac nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

He waited for her to walk to the galley before he unhooked his seat belt and stood. “We should move to the table so Dani can prepare the beds.”

Lyra and I followed his instructions and changed our seats. This time, as he sat down, it was next to me. I saw Lyra’s face darken as he slid into the seat beside me. Dani followed him with a tray of drinks. I glanced at Mac’s drink, a strange reddish hue compared to what otherwise looked like an amber liquid like mine.

“Blood-laced bourbon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mac grinned. “Whiskey, but yes. I have to get my blood somehow. I doubt you’d like me to take it from you.”

Dani let out a light chuckle. A small shiver went through my spine. I wondered if Mac could feel the movement of my seat as I clenched my thighs, unable to deny the tingle between them that turned to dampness. Other than my dream, the thought of his fangs sinking into me hadn’t crossed my mind until now, butsuddenly, the thought of an intimate kiss followed by a sharp pain was all I could think about. I lifted my glass to my lips, pushing the thought away.

We sipped our drinks in silence until Dani appeared at the table. “The beds are ready. Do you need anything else?”

Mac looked up at her. His eyes seemed bloodshot, his irises more gray than they had been a few minutes prior. “No, thank you. Ensure that you each have enough blood. Do you have enough for the daylight?”

“Yes, we do, sir.”

“That will be all. You may retire.”

“Thank you. Good night.”

My eyelids grew heavier with each passing sip, and I found it hard to keep them open.

“Rory, you need sleep.” Mac’s voice was soft as he laid his hand on my arm. “I’ll go to my room so the two of you can be more comfortable.”

I would be more comfortable in his arms, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. Not with Lyra glaring at me.

“Come.” He stood and held out his hands. I took one of them and allowed him to guide me to a bed made of the chairs where we first sat. “Get some sleep. You’ll need to be well rested for tomorrow.”

He must have used his vampiric speed to leave because he disappeared, and the partition between us was closed. I took off my pants and slid between the sheets. The lights in the cabin dimmed. As I fell asleep, I heard Lyra getting into her bed.

When I awoke the following morning, I looked out the window and realized the plane was in a hangar. I put on my pants and nudged Lyra.

“Hey, we’re here,” I said, looking around. The partition was open, and Mac was nowhere to be seen.

Before I could search for him, Dani appeared.

“Ah, you’re awake. Mac has gone out to talk to Conall,” she said.

“Conall O’Cillian?” I narrowed my eyes.

Dani nodded. “He came to pick you up.”

“Great,” Lyra muttered, rolling her eyes. “Another vampire.”

I saw Dani shrink a bit and shook my head. “Lyra, this is why we’re here. Be polite.”

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