CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

B rianna looked up at the freshly showered huge vampire standing in the doorway. His huge thighs looked even larger in the light blue jeans, and his gray T-shirt stretched over his enormous chest. She could see the outline of the top of his eight pack, and her tummy filled with butterflies.

She swallowed and stood up.

Before she could take a step, Craig was in front of her, holding her head and kissing the living hell out of her. She groaned against his lips, loving the way he was gentle yet rough with her.

“Miss me?” he asked, releasing her lips.

“No,” she replied breathlessly, staring into his beautiful green eyes that matched hers.

He grinned. “Liar.”

Then he stared down at her own jeans and short-sleeved T-shirt, his eyes approving as they roamed over her curves.

“You’ll need a jacket where we’re going.”

“But you don’t have one.”

“Little one, I am a vampire; we run hot.”

Bri mumbled, “Yeah, you do,” as she grabbed one from the wardrobe and heard his chuckle.

Craig led her outside the castle, and they walked along a long path which took them past a small pond and two rose gardens before it turned thicker. Large trees led down to a lake.

“Are you walking me back to Los Angeles, vampire?”

His big arm circled her shoulders. “Patience, human.”

He carried a bag which she assumed—and hoped—contained some dinner as her stomach growled.

“It’s nice to be outside, even though the castle is the size of a small town.”

When they reached the lake, Craig laid a thick blanket down on the ground. Around them, tall trees shot to the heavens as if they were surrounded by giants.

Out of the bag came a thermos of soup for her and one for him, which she suspected contained plasma. After a week with the vampires, she was becoming used to their diets.

“Did you speak to Willow?”

She nodded.

“She mad?”

“She knows I’m safer here.” She took a sip of the delicious vegetable soup. “I phoned my boss. He said I have one more week, then he’s replacing me.”

Craig wiped his mouth and looked at her.

“Do you like your job?”

She shrugged. “Yes. Well, it’s just a job. Willow had her own business, but I was still figuring my career out. When Christian died...”

She glanced at him apologetically, and he gave her that look which told her to keep talking.

“Well, we were planning to have babies. But he died.”

“You want kids?” he asked in a mildly surprised way.

“Yes. I never had a big family, so I want two or three,” she said. “What about you?”

She could tell he looked uncomfortable.

“Sorry, I guess it’s not first-date talk.”

“I’ve never dated, so I don’t know.” He put the lid on his thermos.

Brianna played with a thread on the blanket, feeling all kinds of uncomfortable. What did she think a date with a vampire was going to be like? A damn drive-in movie with popcorn?

“Look...”

“Yes,” he said. “I wanted little vamps. But hundreds of years ago, I thought that chance was gone.”

She nodded.

“Now I’m in a dangerous job. These are troubled times. I’m not sure what kind of father I would make.”

She knew. He’d be an amazing father. Protective as hell, but his family would never go without love or anything they needed.

His eyes flicked back to hers after being lost in his memories. “About your job. Why don’t you quit? I don’t know how long it will take us to disestablish this rebellion so it’s safe for you to return, but it’s not going to be a week.”

“No, I can’t. Can’t you send me home with a guard? I have savings, but they won’t last forever.”

“Bri, let me help you. This is our problem you’ve become entangled with.”

“No, I shouldn’t have come looking for Willow. I have to take responsibility for that.”

He shrugged.

“You agree?”

“No. That’s what friends do. I would have done the same in your shoes, but it was a hell of a shock when you showed up at the front door.”

She grinned. It all felt like a lifetime ago instead of days.

“So. Let me help.”

She put her thermos in the bag and lay back on her elbows.

“Willow said the king will become suspicious and impatient soon if you don’t turn me. You’ll have to send me home eventually.”

Craig’s eyes flared. “Willow should stop talking.”

Brianna frowned at him. “I’m just saying, the king won’t believe this farce for much longer.”

He pushed the picnic bag aside and pulled her into his arms. “It’s not a farce. I’ve told you how I feel. I want you in my bed every day and by my side at night.”

His lips ran along her jawline, making desire roar its head within her.

“Craig,” she breathed.

He ran a hand over her forehead, pushing back her hair.

“No one is turning you into a vampire, little human. I will dump some money into your bank accounts, and you can fight me on it after this is over.” When she went to argue, he put a finger on her lips. “Don’t be proud, Bri, this is a highly unusual situation. Let me take care of you.”

She nodded reluctantly, but with gratitude. He was right, it wasn’t every day you were basically abducted by vampires and couldn’t get home.

Fortunately for her, he was a damn sexy, hot, and delicious vampire. Even if deep down she knew she couldn’t keep him.