Free Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Alice Brown

girls could have been runway models. Although Kate had dark brunette hair and warm brown eyes compared to Jennifer’s blonde hair and blue eyes, she was every bit as beautiful as her sister.
    Kate offered a quick tour of her suite, and Erica found herself fascinated by all the exercise equipment set up in Kate’s spare bedroom. She had her own personal gym set up.
    “Do you work out?” Erica asked, and immediately winced as she realized what a lame question that was. Who owned a lot of exercise equipment without working out regularly?
    “Yes, every chance I get.” Kate replied with a smile, and then added, “You are welcome to join me some time, if you would like.”
    She seemed friendly enough, and Erica thought that given a little time, they could become friends. She glanced up at Kevin, and wondered what she could have possibly missed, as she watched him glare at his sister. It certainly seemed like he was trying to send a message to her without words. Erica thought he shook his head just a tiny bit, but was coming up blank as to the reason he continued to glare. Why would he be upset? Surely, he didn’t have a problem with his sister offering her to work out, did he? What could he possibly have against that? And then, before she could ponder on the situation any further, he smiled tightly and said, “Ladies, let’s give Erica’s body time to heal before working out.”
    Erica had all but forgotten about her rib injuries, although it certainly seemed it was front and center in Kevin’s brain. It seemed he had just been concerned about her injuries. Erica glanced over at Kate and said with a slight smile, “Yes, I guess I do need to wait until my ribs heal, but thanks for the invitation.”
    Kate answered back with a smile, “Anytime.”
    They arrived back at Kevin’s suite a short time later. “I have to work tonight,” he stated while standing in front of Erica with his hands lightly resting on her upper arms. “I am having Jennifer come stay with you while I am away.”
    “Kevin, that isn’t necessary. I’ll be fine here. Help is just down the hallway if I should need it.” She was unaccustomed to having someone protect her, or take care of her at all for that matter. This was all new to her, and at the given moment, she was unsure how she felt about everything.
    Kevin brushed his hands down the length of her arms, gently rubbing them, all the while probing her mind in order to figure out how to best approach this. There was zero chance he was walking out his front door this evening, leaving her unprotected. He just had to figure out the best way of getting her to come around.
    “Let’s just say I will feel much better knowing someone is with you, close by.” He then leaned in and gently kissed her forehead. Knowing she was feeling a bit overwhelmed due to all of the attention, he quickly added, “Consider it, you’re doing me a favor in having someone stay with you because it is the only way I’ll be able to concentrate on my job.”
    The gentleness of him caressing Erica’s arms, and then his lips on her forehead, almost had her in tears. For reasons she could not name, she had found herself extremely emotional these last two days. She found herself continuously surprised at how gentle this man was. He was so gentle every time he touched her, as if he were afraid she was made of spun glass and would break at the slightest pressure. What a complete opposite he was, compared with what she had dealt with over the past four years. Was it possible that there was a man on this earth who truly knew what the words compassion and tenderness meant? It would certainly appear so, she thought to herself.
    Erica smiled up at him and said, “Okay, if it will make you feel better.”
    “Thank you.” He replied softly, and brought her up against him, wanting her body warmth up against his. He smiled as he felt warmth steal over him as he replayed her thoughts in his head. She thought him compassionate.