Forever As One (11 page)

“Miss Harper. I haven’t been clear. Dane is a
vampire. Our bodies are dead. So are our emotions. The only thing
that can change any of that is finding our mate. You. Finding you
gave Dane back what all creatures hanker for. You are the love of
his afterlife. His love isn’t a lie. Please tell me it’s not
one-sided. At least give me hope. That’s all I’m asking.”

I love him
. Everything went crystal
clear and focused and perfectly calm, while a slight vibration
trembled through her with the certainty. It was solid emotion and
it was beautiful. Her eyes filled with tears she had to blink away.
I love him!

She didn’t say it aloud, but somehow he
heard.

“Good. Very good. You reassure me. You have
no idea. Now, close your eyes like a good girl and think of your
handsome groom-to-be. I promise not to hurt you.”

And the next moment the candle blew out.

o0o

“We’re late.”

Dane vaulted onto the deck of the ship from
the cigar boat, leaving Len to the ladder. He’d gone for speed to
reach the yacht, not skill. That gained him sea spray on clothing
that was already stained with blood. He had to reach his suite and
shower. Or at least change. Otherwise, she might faint if she saw
him. He unbuttoned his shirt as he flew, racing the corridor. One
flight of steps. Two.

Damn it!

Evangeline stood right in the doorway of his
suite, her peach-shaded wedding gown highlighting a figure that
already haunted him. There was something different about her.
Something deep and illicit. It teased the edges of his sanity,
instantly provoking a corporeal response he couldn’t fight.

“Dane.”

“Uh…”

Words failed him. He watched as she moved a
hand to his chest and planted it palm-down on his skin, right above
where his heart should be beating. If he had one, and if it wasn’t
dead. He searched the space between them for her pulse, so he could
match it, and found nothing. No beat. No pulse. Nothing he could
use to fake a heartbeat.

“We had a visitor while you were out.”

“Uh…”

She’d moved somehow. Her body skimmed to the
space right in front of his, sending a myriad of sparks that
simulated contact. Heat reached out to him. Need pounded right
through him. His canines lengthened despite his effort. She was too
real. Too physical. Too perfect. Her scent aroused and stimulated
as it dragged him nearer. Dane’s entire frame lurched toward her
without one bit of help from him. Everything on him ratcheted right
to full and ready, and completely desirous.

“For the love of—. Whoa. Color me
shocked.”

Dane pulled Evangeline to him and swiveled to
face Len, who slid the last two steps making a lot of noise as he
joined them in the passage.

“I knew there was a woman involved! I knew
it. And I’m not surprised. You hit the jackpot, Babyface. She’s
gorgeous.”

Dane stiffened.

“What? I’m not supposed to notice a beautiful
woman when I see her? Very nice…even if she is a vampire.”

“Who is this?” Evangeline asked, her voice
low and sultry.

“What did you just say?” Dane asked.

“I said she’s beautiful - even if she is
dead. No wonder we rushed things. Hi Sweetheart. Name’s Leonard.
You can call me Len. Everyone else does. So. Where do I
change?”

“Change?” she asked.

“Clothes. Change clothes. Around here, a
man’s got to be specific. I’m going to guess we’re having a
wedding. And I’m going to hazard I’m the best man. Tell me I’m
wrong.”

“Did he call you…Babyface?”

The goddess in his arms giggled. And to get
that reaction, he didn’t care what she called him. “Yeah.”

“I like it. It fits.”

“Could you two coo later? I’ve got a shower
to take. And a tux to don. Yes?”

Dane swiveled her in his arms, looked down,
and caught the slightest tip of fangs from between her lips.
“You’re…changed?”

“I told you. We had a visitor. We had a long
talk. Mainly about you. He said to tell you it’s all right. He’d
have done the same thing. But a contract’s a contract.”

“Akron was here?”

“Shit.” That was Len. “This means I’m not as
sneaky as I think I am. That’s crushing to the ego. Truly. I’m
going to have to go lick my wounds somewhere.”

“No. Everything’s fine. She’s a vampire. I’m
looking at her.”

The lightning flash of joy that arced through
him took them both off the floor. Len looked very small as he
tilted his head toward them and cleared his throat.

“You want me to leave you two alone? I mean,
what’s one more day of freedom, more or less?”

“Freedom?”

“He’s talking marriage,
Frja
. You
and me. Together. As one. It’ll be forever. I swear.”

“I have something to tell you.” Her voice
went to a whisper as she nuzzled his neck. “It’s more than forever.
I love you. You hear that, Babyface? I love you.”

And with that, she bit him.

-o0o-

Jackie is an Alaskan author who crafts
full-length Scot Historical novels for Kensington, while
moonlighting with her paranormal series: Vampire Assassin league,
available in ebook. She loves hearing from fans, who can contact
her at
www.jackieivie.com