Free Vampire Coven Book 3: A Vampire's Embrace by C.L. Scholey Page B

vampires were staring at Hope, including the one named Tate who was grinning openly at her. She felt her heart rate increase. As much as she hated the idea, Hope knew as long as Rhett was with her and Ann no one would touch them. Rhett seemed to come to some sort of decision, and he took Hope by the arm and led her from the water.
    “I wanna swim,” Ann wailed in her ear.
    “That’s what we’re going to do,” Rhett said.
    “Dooder,” Ann squealed.
    Hope snatched the doll from the ground. She playfully waved it at Ann. “Dooder,” Hope said. She pretended to hug Ann with it. Ann giggled and Rhett watched with a curious expression. The special secret belonged to Ann and Hope. Rhett could go to hell before Hope would allow him to be included in a bond of love.
    Rhett led the pair farther away from the others. Hope was feeling concerned, wondering if he planned on drowning her. The vampire was so unpredictable it played with Hope’s emotions—one moment wanting his protection, the next wondering if it was him she needed protecting from. When they reached a fair-sized body of water, Hope scanned the area; they were alone. Hope had seen large bodies of water, but they were filled with bulky chunks of ice. The surface of this water was smooth. Rhett stripped down to what he referred to as ‘boxers.’ He told Hope she could keep on the clothes she was wearing; he’d find her dry clothes when they finished. Rhett took the doll and tossed it on the bank.
    Before Hope could protest, Rhett dragged Ann into his arms and was waist high in the water. He bounced the child up and down getting her used to going deeper, as the pool had been so shallow. Ann was in a giggle fit. Hope stepped into the water. It was cooler than the pool, but not unpleasant. The bottom was sand with a small amount of rocks. Rhett ignored her as he played with Ann.
    As Hope got closer to the pair, Rhett moved deeper. He was taller and Hope floundered for a moment as the bank dipped and she was immersed to her neck. Ann had her little arms wrapped around Rhett’s neck.
    “Take a step back,” Rhett ordered Hope. She complied.
    Rhett disengaged Ann’s arms from around him and slid his hands under her belly, he told her to look at her mother. Ann, smiling, began paddling her hands. Rhett let the child go. Hope panicked and cried out and lunged forward. Hope went under as the water went over her head. This time she didn’t remain unmoving, her child might drown. Hope clawed at the water, kicking her feet. She reached for Ann and broke the surface. She held one of Ann’s legs, Rhett had the child in his arms, he was grinning at her.
    “You just needed something to swim for, little seal,” he said.
    Hope wanted him dead. She lunged at him. Rhett laughed and pulled her to his chest. He then pulled them deeper into the middle of the water. Hope had no choice but to cling to him, he moved so fast. For the next while, Rhett taught them both to tread water. He taught them something called a ‘dog paddle.’ The term was confusing; they were humans paddling. Hope had no idea what a dog was. He taught them the basics of how to stay afloat if they ever found themselves submerged.
    Rhett was patient with them both. He seemed to have an unlimited amount of patience with Ann. He explained everything over and over until both Ann and Hope swam with some mild assistance back to the shore. Once there, Rhett gripped them both in his arms, grabbed Dooder, and took them to the shallow pool where he picked up Hope and Ann’s footwear and then to the main building. He strode through the hall until he came to a door. Hope knew it would be his room.
    A towel was found for Ann who he wrapped up. Tenderly, he dried her off while Hope stood watching, dripping onto the floor. Rhett was so confusing. It was apparent he loved her daughter, why she had no clue. Ann was loveable, but a niggling in Hope’s chest made her wonder. Rhett was beyond good with Ann. He seemed to know