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“Thank you, Mohan.” I hug him hard. His face rests a little awkwardly on my chest.

We exit the study and mingle with the guests. Erin and Maria are still not here. I’m just about to go searching for them when I see the crowd part and Maria waltz in, looking regal as usual. Her midnight blue gown shimmers under the lights. She smiles at everyone and then winks at me. Stepping aside, Maria reveals Erin.

My God, she is radiant. Her hair is swept over one shoulder in all its golden glory. My eyes track her body, which is sewn into an emerald green strapless dress. Although she is in killer heels, she is still smaller than most people in the room, but what she lacks in height, my word, she makes up for in beauty and presence.

Forgetting entirely where I am and the company I am in, my legs carry me over to her automatically. Taking her by the waist, I bend my head, lowering my lips to hers. The kiss is deep, and passion filled. I want to pick her up and take her to bed.

Maria clears her throat several times before pinching my side. I draw back from Erin, still in a world where only she exists. “You look breathtaking,” I breathe.

“Wow.” Erin blinks several times, trying to recenter herself. I understand, that kiss was fire. “Um, Amelia,” she whispers. “Everyone is looking at us.” Ah, yes, the party!

Taking a step back, I run my fingers over her waist one last time before turning to the guests. Half are smirking and half look utterly confused. This is a room full of vampires, so the moment Erin entered, they would have smelled her.

Mohan clinks his glass several times. “Well, now seems like the perfect time,” he laughs. “First, I want to thank Victoria and Harlan for hosting yet another wonderful event. I think we can all say it’s been far too long.” The room mutters in agreement. “Tonight is special, though. Tonight, I have the greatest pleasure of announcing Amelia Loch’s mate.” Chatter immediately erupts, but Mohan pushes through. “As I’m sure you’ve gathered by that very warm welcome Amelia just bestowed… Erin, come here, dear.”—Erin gives me a confident wink and makes her way over to Mohan—“This lovely lady is Amelia’s mate, Erin.” More rumbling of chatter. “Now, I’m also guessing you’ve twigged that Erin is a human.”

“Amelia mated with a human?” a man says somewhere from the back of the room.

“She did, and we are here tonight to offer our congratulations and aid. We all know this isn’t the usual pairing.”

“Mohan, there isn’t a single case where this type of mating has been successful,” Misha shouts, shooting me a sad look.

“Actually, we believe we have found one. There will be difficult times ahead, but I believe Amelia and Erin will make it through. Will you all hold your drinks in the air and toast the gorgeous new couple.” Without hesitation, a hundred hands rise in the air. “To Amelia and Erin.”

“Amelia and Erin,” the room chants.

I’m fending off questions left, right and center. It’s been the same way for the past hour and a half. I know people are worried, but all I want to do is find Erin—who has been hijacked by Mohan—and dance with her.

“Do you need rescuing?” Lucille mutters in my ear.

“Please,” I beg.

“Amelia, I need to steal you for a few minutes.” Dragging me a little too hard by the arm, Lucille directs me to the sitting room. I breathe a sigh of relief when I find it empty. Crashing to the couch, I close my eyes, basking in the solitude.

“Care for some company?” An angelic voice paints a smile on my face. Opening my eyes, I look at Erin leaning against the doorframe, taking me in.

“I’d love some, especially if it’s from such a beautiful woman.”

“Always the charmer, Ms. Loch.”

“Come here,” I purr. Erin struts over to me. I sit up, patting the couch next to me. Erin ignores me, hitching up that delicious dress. Fuck me. She’s wearing a garter belt and stockings. Seductively, Erin lowers herself so she’s straddling my lap. “Hey, baby,” she whispers.

“Erin, do you know what you’re doing to me?”

“Hopefully getting you wet,” she grins.

“That happened the moment I saw you in that dress earlier tonight.”

“Maybe I could help clean you up?”

I let out a ragged breath. My eyes work up and down her body. She starts gently rocking against me. “Erin,” I warn.

“Yes, Amelia?”

“You need to stop, otherwise I’m going to fuck you on this couch.”

“Oh no. You have to wait for that.” Her hips are still moving. Her hands grasp my face, bringing my eyes up from her breasts. “Later. You can do whatever you want to me.”

“Erin,” I whine-slash-gasp. My panties are completely soaked. I’ve never wanted her so badly.