Free Coveted - Book 3 in the Gwen Sparks Series by Stephanie Nelson

company at all times.” Lauren walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain, observing the fabric. “We’ll have to get something thicker to keep the sun out.”
    Furious, I stepped further into my room and squared my shoulders to face the intrusive Playboy bunny vampire. “This is my room,” I snapped. “And Aiden didn’t say anything about you moving in.”
    Lauren released an exaggerated sigh, locking eyes with me. “Aiden said you could be headstrong. You need to realize when people are trying to help you out. You don’t always have to go on the defense.”
    Who the hell did this woman think she was? “Don’t pretend to know me.”
    “I got your bags,” Dorian announced, lugging three duffel bags and one suitcase down the hall and stopping in front of my room. I stared at him astounded. Since when did the angel of Death jump when a pretty woman snapped her fingers?
    “Thank you, handsome.” Lauren walked over to him and ran a painted nail down his chest, while Dorian grinned like a fool. I shook my head, dumbfounded, as I watched the two of them. What the hell was going on? I knew I hadn’t rocked Dorian’s jollies, but he couldn’t be that hard up. Surely he would satisfied his sexual appetite with some local tart since getting here. He was acting like an eager hormone-induced teenager.
    “Gwen isn’t ready to give up her bedroom,” Lauren said to Dorian. Looking over her shoulder at me she said, “Some people don’t know what hospitality is.”
    “You can stay in my—”
    “No,” I interrupted quickly. Both Dorian and Lauren turned to look at me, and I realized I sounded a little too invested in my disapproval. But there was no way I wanted Ms. Bat-my-eyelashes-and-sway-my-hips rooming with Dorian. Yes, I know how that makes me sound. And I’m not the type who tells a guy I’m not ready yet but doesn’t want him with anyone else. Okay, maybe that’s how I was acting, but something was up with Lauren. Dorian wasn’t acting like himself and that’s what scared me.
    “I was going to say she can stay in my room and I’ll sleep on the couch.” Dorian grinned at me and an inferno warmed my cheeks.
    “Are you two…” Lauren signaled between me and Dorian.
    “No,” I answered a little too quickly, shrugging and feigning indifference to Dorian’s sexual partners. I had never been a good liar. I was too obvious or overly adamant about what I was saying which was a dead giveaway.
    Dorian was looking at me over Lauren’s shoulder and his jaw tightened the slightest bit when I confirmed that there was nothing between the two of us. Looking down at Lauren he said, “There you have it. Come on, I’ll help you get settled.”
    While Dorian was helping Lauren get settled , I headed to the bathroom. I hadn’t inspected myself since coming home from the hospital. My body no longer ached and the swollenness of my face had gone down. Dragging my eyes up, I stared at my reflection and was happy to see that the defeated girl I saw in the mirror at the hospital gone. Vampire blood was seriously a miracle worker. Though I was healed on the outside, inside I was a mangled mess. And not just from the rogue attack. I was still mentally dealing with what Ian had done to me while in Moon. It’s difficult making the world think you’re strong when you’re barely bending under the weight of inner demons. But I’m a firm believer in owning your problems and not allowing them to own you. That may sound like a spiel from Dr. Phil, but it’s been a motto that’s worked for me. I had to accept Ian’s abuse and move past it. At least the son of a bitch was dead and unable to hurt anyone else. See, silver lining.
    Lauren’s throaty giggle sounded through the apartment. What was Aiden’s angle in placing her in my home? I dragged my hands through my hair, gave myself one last glance in the mirror and headed out to see what the hell was so damned funny.
     

 

     
    I passed Dorian’s bedroom and