Free vampires of san francisco 07 - suckers lost and found by Jessica McBrayer Page B

you tramp,” he grins. “At least it kept you away from the King. It is probably the only time I’ve actually been happy that you and Sebastian have… uhm, been preoccupied.”
          I have the decency to be embarrassed. 
          “Don’t be embarrassed. I know what this time of the month is like for you. I remember it vividly. I used to play it back to myself daily, sometimes hourly.”
          “Oh, Aidan. I love you, darling. I’m so sorry.”
          “I’m not, love,” he smiles. “Loving you allowed me to be able to love Manda. And I found everything I wanted in her. Thank you for helping me. If I hadn’t had you teaching me about human emotions, this would have been impossible for me.”
          He holds me close and presses his cheek to mine. He smells of the wind and cinnamon and sunlight. I love his smell, and I snuggle up to his warm body. Vampires are perpetually cold.
          I dance with the King one more time before the evening is over. He behaves himself. I think he smells Bast on me too. I think Bast thought of it as the ultimate way of marking his territory. Which works. The King is very polite. When our dance is over he kisses my cheek and wishes me a good day’s sleep.
          Sebastian and I retire to our room to get ready for my bed time. We still have a couple of hours and we plan on using the time wisely.
          I fall asleep in his arms. I wake up next to his naked body and in his arms. He kisses me passionately and hugs me close to him. I sigh.
          “I love when you do that,” he says.
          “When I do what?”
          “When you sigh after I kiss you. It means you are totally content to be with me. I love knowing you are happy and that I make you feel that way.”
          “You do and I am.”
          “Cherie, we have to pack and get ready to leave. I am anxious to marry you at last,” he smiles down at me.
          I give him a huge smile in return and kiss him. After a shower and packing, I select a mini dress with an empire waist. It is blue, Sebastian’s favorite color, and it goes with my engagement ring. I add makeup, heels and brush the fangsters and I am ready to say goodbye to the King.
          We descend the stairs and set our luggage with everyone else’s. Armand choreographs our departure like a state affair. The King has yet to make an appearance.
          “You will be taken by boat to your limos. The King wants to say goodbye and he will meet you in Florence in two days for the wedding,” Armand says.
          The King comes down the hall just then. He kisses Helena and Julian on their cheeks and thanks them for coming. He shakes Andrew’s and Liam’s hands and kisses Hannah on the cheek. Then he shakes hands with Diel and kisses both the babies, presenting them with little platinum rattles that have bells attached. Finn and Fiona are intrigued by their new toys. He eyes Aidan and Sebastian carefully and then decides to offer his hand to them. Aidan reluctantly shakes his hand. Sebastian gladly shakes hands because it means that we are leaving.
          When he gets to me he pulls me aside and takes my hands in his. He looks me in the eyes and says, “If ever there is anything I can do for you, bella, let me know and it will be done. I am forever at your service.”
          And he kisses me on the cheek, letting it last a moment longer than it should. I don’t believe a word he says, yet… he seems so sincere.
          “Thank you, Basilio. Thank you for your offer and for your generosity and hospitality. We look forward to seeing you at the wedding in two days. Take care of yourself.”      
          I take my hands back and give him a smile as I join my fiancé. Our luggage has been loaded and we are ready to go. The King walks us out and watches us leave down the canal. I let out a sigh of relief as we go around the corner. Sebastian