Free Bound to the Vampire by Selena Blake Page B

other enough.
    But that wasn’t true.
    “No. It didn't.”
    But it wasn't because of lack of love. Or trust, on his part. He'd trusted her with his heart, his soul. And he'd loved her more than anything else: his family, his position, his immortality.
    She turned and looked right at him, those blue eyes pegging him like darts to the dart board.
    “Why did you cut your hair?” he asked and resisted the urge to finger the silky strands brushing her cheek.
    “Because I wanted to.”
    “It's so severe.” Perfectly chiseled, cropped right above her chin. A bob so sleek she could have been a hair care model. Not a hair out of place. He wasn't surprised; there'd always been something other worldly about her. From that first moment he'd laid eyes on her.
    “It matches my mood,” she said and turned away. But she didn't move away or flash. That was progress he supposed.
    “You surprise me, Valencia.”
    She turned his way again.
    “Why is that?” A delicate brow lifted a fraction in question.
    “All your money, your grace, you could be anywhere in the world, do anything and yet you choose to sit here and sulk like a child.”
    Her eyes widened and those darts turned to daggers.
    “You don't think I have a right to sulk? After everything—”
    “Once upon a time. Yes. We both had reason to pity ourselves. But it's been centuries Valencia. Why haven't you found happiness again?”
    “It didn't work out so well for me last time, now did it? Every time I think about...” She trailed off and finished her cocktail rather than her sentence.
    “Think about what?”
    “Nothing.”
    “I want to know. What do you think about?” He touched her wrist and her gaze zeroed in on his hand but she didn't speak. Didn't move, kept her body straight on the seat.
    “Valencia, Dameon,” Latham said as he strode up. Somehow he always appeared casual even though his every movement was full of purpose. He seemed more relaxed than yesterday. “I trust you enjoyed the dolphin excursion.”
    Dameon nodded. “It was lovely. Such a marvelous world. We’re sorry you missed it.”
    “Selma was a terrific hostess, Charles.”
    “Excellent. We're going to be closing the outside terraces in an hour. There's a storm coming in that we need to prepare for.”
    Dameon noticed several staff members alerting the other guests.
    “We'll be sure to clear out before then,” he told the god.
    “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
    “Thank you,” Valencia murmured.
    They watched him walk away and Dameon knew she was about to bolt. He was coming to realize that when she felt backed into a corner she escaped.
    How different she was from the woman who'd once come out wielding a deadly blade.
    “Come on. I'll walk you back to your cottage.”
    “How do you know I have a cottage?”
    He smiled down at her as he stood. “I know a great many things, Val-dear. And I pay well for information.”
    She cocked her head to the side. “What else do you know?”
    He held out his hand to her. “Walk with me and find out.”
    She glanced between his face and hand and back again, silently pondering.
    He could see the wheels turning in her head and though she still had a mental shield up, he could almost read her thoughts.
    She didn't trust him but was wondering what he had to say. Curiosity was ingrained in her even though she tried not to show it now.
    She reached for his hand. Cool, satiny soft skin slid against his. He tightened his grip and helped her from her seat. This time he was prepared for her touch. At the dance their connection had thrown him for a loop. But touch was a funny thing. So was scent. And when combined— “So. What is it you think you know?” she asked, meeting his gaze head-on.
    There she was. The vixen who'd stolen his heart with such ease. She could have been a surgeon, what with the way she'd relieved him of the blood-pumping organ and the way she'd wielded a blade.
    But she didn't pull her hand away which he found extra