Page 65 of Auctioned for Her Blood
“What?” I ask, pressing my hand against his chest.
He shakes his head. “Got a feeling we’re being followed.”
“Are we?” My heart thumps a little faster.
“Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.”
It’s not a direct answer, but it’s all the answer I need, because I do feel safe with Ryker. So safe. I’ve seen how quickly he moves, seen demonstrations of his strength and power as he handled my body like I weighed less than a feather. I have no doubt he could protect me against whoever might be on the streets of Center City Philly tonight.
A few blocks later, he moves into a narrow side street, pulling me with him so quickly my feet leave the ground, and then he shifts me behind him as he peers around the corner.
“What’s wrong?” I whisper, wrapping my arms around him from behind.
Turning, he leans against the brick wall at the mouth of the lane, and pulls me against his chest. “We are being followed,” he says. “It’s that fucker, Zuben.”
“I didn’t see anyone.” I’m starting to think that Ryker might be a tad paranoid, but if we’re going to be together, I’ll need to discover and then accept all his flaws.
And even if it is Zuben, I don’t think the tall Egyptian man—not a man, a vampire—means me any harm. Maybe it would be good if he caught up with us, so the two men can air their differences.
I inwardly laugh at my fantasy. The idea that all would be well if they talked is too much to ask.
Ryker checks the street again, then takes my hand. “Let’s get to Rittenhouse Square as fast as we can,” he says. “Then we’ll cut through the park to the hotel. The more humans around us, the better.”
“Whatever you think.”
He heads off, walking so quickly I have to scramble to keep up, and making me wish I hadn’t worn my heels. I consider asking him to stop so I can dig my sneakers out of the overnight bag, but we quickly reach the southwest corner of the square. His hotel’s not far now.
Ryker looks behind us, and I glance back too. A man ducks off the sidewalk into a building’s alcove. It could be a coincidence? But no, Ryker is right. Someone is following us. And based on the man’s height and shape it’s possible that it was Zuben.
“Did you see that?” I whisper.
“Fucking Zuben.”
“Maybe I should just talk to him?” I suggest.
“Believe me, it’s not talking he wants from you.”
I’m about to ask what hedoeswant, but I already know the answer. Zuben wants me for my blood—he wants to use me for what it can do. But I can’t deny that thinking of Zuben stirs something inside me, especially now I realize why he wanted to protect me.
Ryker tugs on my hand, and we walk across the street to enter the square. On this rainy night, there are barely a dozen people walking through the park, but also a large group of police congregated near the information booth at its center. Ryker heads straight toward them.
“Zuben will avoid the police,” Ryker says. “They’ve got stakes.”
“Then shouldn’tweavoid them too?” The idea of a wooden stake through Ryker’s heart causes mine to race.
“Cops don’t scare me.” He shakes his head. “Stupid fuckers think vampires skulk around in the shadows, hiding in bushes with their fangs hanging out. If those cops are here patrolling for vampires, they won’t notice me.”
A nervous laugh escapes my throat. Until yesterday, that’s pretty much how I imagined vampires too. But yesterday feels like a lifetime ago. I’m a different person now, no longer afraid of the dark, and I’m starting an entirely new and exciting life. I feel safe with Ryker—safe and alive and brave.
The trees in the park are lit with tiny twinkling lights that sparkle on the wet paving stones, and the atmosphere is magical and romantic as we walk, hand in hand, toward one of the central fountains, not far from the group of police. It’s gorgeous. I missed so much never going out after dark.
One of the cops turns toward me and nods in obvious appreciation. My red dress, slightly damp from the rain, clings to my body and I shrug off Ryker’s jacket, draping it over my arm. With this dangerous looking man in his leather pants and loose white shirt, damp and clinging to his chest, I’ve never felt so sexy.
Under the shimmering lights of the warm evening, it’s no wonder I’ve drawn the cop’s admiration.
Keeping his eyes on me, the cop listens to someone on his radio and nods. The whole group of them shifts, moving as if called to action. Perhaps there’s a robbery in progress nearby.
But who cares? These cops have no relevance to me and my sexy vampire lover.
