Chapter 37

I wasn’t sure how long we kept at it, or how many orgasms we had. It turned out that all Katsuro had to do to be ready to go again was take a brief rest and take another sip of my blood. We went for hours, and it was absolutely incredible. When we were finally somewhat sated, he gave me another taste of his own blood, which healed me from the mild blood loss and any other discomforts I might have experienced later from the marathon sex session, and then we both passed out in a post orgasm bliss.

When I woke later, Nimbus was curled up behind my legs and I was cradled in Katsuro’s arms. The scent of food tickled my nose and made my stomach rumble.

The vampire stirred and took a breath. “I haven’t slept that well in ages,” he murmured, kissing my neck. A jolt of need coursed through me at his kiss.

“Shall we get you fed?” He ignored my hungry moan, which was probably just as well. We had things to do today.

“Yes, please.”

Breakfast was porridge, some muffins, eggs, and bacon from the coffee shop, along with coffee, of course. After I’d eaten my fill, Katsuro gave me an extended tour.

I felt like I had been transported into an entirely different world as I moved about Katsuro’s home. Yesterday, since I’d come down from the surface and still had that experience fresh in my mind, I’d simply marveled at the beauty of it now. Today, waking up down here, was a totally different sensation. The rest of the world felt so far away as we settled into a small sitting area and sipped tea in his small garden. We watched the koi swim lazily or come up for handfuls of food.

“This is so peaceful.”

Nimbus rolled onto his back and presented me with his belly. I obliged by giving him a good belly rub.

“So, how exactly are you going to mark Bridger? I don’t necessarily get the impression he’s into guys.”

Katsuro tilted his head, questioningly, before laughing. “I can probably tone the impact down a little bit. Perhaps it would be wise for you to be present and you two can handle the rest?”

“Well, we aren’t sleeping together, yet. But I am certainly willing if he is.”

Once I finished my tea, Katsuro took my cup and set the service on a tray. “They’ll come and take it once we’re gone. After this conflict is over, I will introduce you to everyone and give you a full tour of our underground home.”

“Thank you.” I stood and held out my arms. He wrapped me in a hug and sighed. Through our bond I could feel a great peace, and I let that sensation seep through my limbs as well.

“Though I’d rather stay down here and forget about the rest of the world for a while, as would be reasonable with a new bonding, we have responsibilities.” Despite his words, Katsuro kept me tightly enfolded in his arms.

I rested my head against his chest and stood for a time, with Nimbus pressed against the back of my legs. Finally, we released each other and reluctantly headed for the surface.

***

Hours later, Bridger found Oliver and I walking with Nimbus. I hadn’t had a whole lot of time to enjoy the local parks, and part of our plan was to establish a pattern of going on easy hikes now that we could pretend the initial danger was over. We knew Vito and his people would be coming after us again, but we hoped that they’d think we assumed we were safe now that Nimbus was fully mature as far as his powers were concerned.

I held out my arms and took him in a tight hug. Neither Oliver nor I commented on Bridger breaking our “rules” about being out alone.

“How are you feeling?” He studied me intently for a moment before falling in next to us.

We resumed our walk.

“Rested.”

“Good.”

He held out his hand, and I took it. Bridger gently squeezed my fingers, and the three of us walked in silence while Nimbus romped around us. The breeze tickled my skin and blew tendrils of hair in my face. I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose with my free hand before offering it to Oliver.

The smile on his face and his contentment I felt through our bond was all the peace I currently needed. Though Nimbus’s happiness and Bridger’s easy walk alongside me added to my good mood.

“Bridger, have you decided if you will accept Katsuro’s offer?” Oliver broke the silence after a time.

“It is probably for the best,” he answered. “I’m not totally thrilled by the idea, but Hannah has taken his mark and I”ve taken hers. If I can get extra protection by accepting as well, I should do it.”

“Tonight, then?” I glanced at the hunter.

He nodded. “Tonight.”

“So, you and I should probably have a talk first.” I grinned at him.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, cause, uh, it’s intense and, unless you’re into guys, you will probably want me along.”

Bridger raised his eyebrows.

“Not that you can’t, uh, you know, just take care of the extra feelings yourself, if you want, but it’s more fun with friends.”

That got him and Oliver to laugh.

“Katsuro suggested it, but, you know, whatever makes you happy is fine with me.”

“I mean, we’ve barely been on a date. Have we been on a date?” He wrinkled his brow. “I don’t think evading capture counts.”

“Right, but we’re bonded. Though, if you never want to go that far it’s totally fine.”

“Why don’t you two get ice cream? It’s plenty warm and the parlor is quite nice. Then, you’ll have been on a date together.” Oliver grinned at both of us. “Problem solved?”

Bridger laughed again. “Hannah?”

“I love ice cream.”

“Great!” Bridger brought my hand up to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

“I will leave you two alone, then,” Oliver replied.

“We have to go past the apartments to get there, right?” I glanced at my shade.

“Yes.”

“Leave us there. You’re not supposed to be out alone either.”

“Very well.”

We continued on in companionable silence, and I couldn’t help but bite my lower lip. It was either that or walk around with a stupid grin on my face. I was very excited to get my hands on Bridger tonight. Maybe I could even talk him into some time this afternoon after ice cream. That way, our first time together would be just the two of us.

I liked that idea very much.

***

Nimbus buried his face in the vanilla ice cream I’d gotten for him. I had a marvelous lemon-flavored cone and Bridger had gone with rocky road. The trees sheltered us from the afternoon sun while we lounged on a park bench.

Laughing as Bridger told me an outlandish story about some TV ghost-hunter-style humans who’d ended up at the diner and were convinced it was haunted. It wasn’t as far as anyone knew.

I briefly thought back to the ghost that Oliver and Nimbus had chased out of my apartment, but my mate was a good storyteller and I soon got wrapped up in the tale.

Once Bridger finished and we had a good laugh, I fiddled with the last bit of my cone, trying to decide if I should bring up my idea about going back to my place. I was just about to say something when Nimbus’s head shot up, ears perked, ice-cream-covered nose twitching as he scented the air.

Moments later, a bone-chilling howl rose up from the wolves’ territory and abruptly stopped mid-cry. The sound didn’t die; it simply stopped as if something had cut it off.

Bridger and I shared a look before we both jumped to our feet, the remains of our ice cream forgotten.

Nimbus grew to giant cloud-dog-sized and ducked his shoulder, grumbling at me to get on.

I climbed up on his back, grabbing fistfuls of his ruff. At Nimbus’s encouragement, Bridger got up behind me. Then the dog bounded off toward the forest.

Belatedly, I hoped this wasn’t some sort of trap, but if something was wrong with the werewolves, we had to try to help.

And if it was a trap? Well, we’d have to do our best not to get caught in it.