Page 86 of Fanged Desire
“I’m glad.” When she sat down across from me I reached out to flick her nose, taking in just how much she’d changed in a few short months.
The dark rings under her eyes had finally dissipated and her hair had reclaimed that healthy, glistening sheen. She’d been through hell, but she was standing on her own two feet now, and I couldn’t have been prouder.
As Penelope went on about the flower shop I let my mind drift, gaze flitting over colorful petals and packing peanuts strewn about the floor. So much had changed in the past six months and Penelope had come so far – from rehab to this tiny apartment, to finding a job she cared about. She still had a long way to go, and there were nights when that deep-rooted trauma resurfaced and cast shadows over her progress. But she had support now. She had Ethan, who checked in on her almost obsessively, and she had me.
And I had Hunter.
Thinking about that seductive vampiress brought an involuntary smile to my lips. We’d been dating for six months now, and things were… surprisingly breezy. Better than I could have imagined. She was still Hunter – snarky, impulsive, occasionally brooding, but also loyal, protective and patient. And she was learning to let me in, little by little.
Ethan, on the other hand, was adjusting to becoming a vampire. It wasn’t a decision he made lightly; it had come after long conversations with Hunter, Jordan, and the rest of the Leyore women who had grown to adore him. He’d said he wanted to be strong enough to protect the people he cared about. Hunter vouched that the preening blond just wanted to stay young and hot forever. Whatever his reasons, he was now in the awkward “newborn” phase, wide-eyed and flustered as he learned the ropes of vampirism. And Hunter teased him mercilessly for it.
Penelope didn’t remember any of the supernatural elements of her experience. Her memories had been altered, replaced with the idea of human captors. It wasn’t ideal, but it kept her safe, and for now, she thought of Hunter and Ethan as regular humans. I knew the truth would have to come out eventually, especially if things between Hunter and me continued to progress.
I toyed with the idea of becoming a vampire myself sometimes. It wasn’t something I felt pressured into – Hunter had made it clear that the decision was entirely mine, and that she didn’t expect it. But the thought of a forever with her… it wasn’t unappealing. If anything, it was tempting. And it wouldn’t be too difficult a transition either. I’d learned more than enough about vampires, thanks to my slightly obsessive curiosity and Hunter as my willing test subject.
Stacks of X-rays and detailed medical notes filled a corner of my own apartment. Hunter found my fascination amusing, though I’d caught her looking over my notes a few times with beaming pride – and a hint of embarrassment. She didn’t always see herself the way I did; a miracle of biology, strength, and beauty.
“Addy? Earth to Addison.” Penelope’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I blinked.
“Sorry, I zoned out. What were you saying?”
“I asked how things were going at the hospital. And with, you know… your new lady friend.” Penelope waggled her eyebrows, her grin mischievous.
“Things are going well.” Heat rose to my cheeks and I scratched the back of my neck. “The hospital’s been busy, but I’m glad to be back. And Hunter… Hunter’s good too.”
Penelope leaned forward, nearly crumpling the box she was precariously perched on. “You’re blushing. Is she that good?”
“That is none of your business.” I laughed, though she didn’t know the half of it.
“Hey, I have to live vicariously through you now.” Penelope webbed her fingers and propped up her chin. “My love life is nonexistent.”
“You’ve got time.” I reached out to ruffle her hair. “Focus on your flowers first.”
Penelope rolled her eyes but her smile was sincere. “Thanks, Addy. For having my back.”
“Always.”
Sitting in the sunshine with my sister by my side, the chaos of the past few months felt distant. I was happier than I had been in years, all thanks to one dazzling vampire who walked into that nightclub and turned my world upside down.
The sun had long set by the time my shift at the hospital ended. I stepped through the glass doors and into the dark, and squinted at the familiar shadow leaning against the lamppost near the curb. She looked unfairly good, as always, her hands shoved casually into the pockets of a red leather jacket. Her face lit up when she saw me, signature smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
“What are you doing here?” I strode over to Hunter with a raised brow. “I have a bubble bath waiting back home with my name on it.”
“Not tonight you don’t.” She pushed off the lamppost, sauntering over and snaking her hands around my waist. “I’m kidnapping you.”
“Are you going to whisk me off to your evil lair?”
Hunter grinned, her dark eyes twinkling. “Something like that.”
We hopped into her car and I peppered her with questions the entire ride, trying to pry details on what exactly she had planned for us. True to form, Hunter gave away nothing. It wasn’t until we parked outside the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens that I started piecing things together.
“The gardens are closed,” I pointed out as we got out of the car.
Hunter shrugged, looking annoyingly pleased with herself. “Not for us.”
I stared her down, suspicion creeping into my tone. “What did you do?”
She held up her hands, mock innocent. “I may have charmed the guard into lending me the key.”
