Page 17

CELESTE

L ove. Van loved me.

What he’d done for me last night, risking everything to protect me from Lucien, warmed my veins.

Now I sat in the front row in the Nocturnal Lounge as Van announced their first song, the Doors’ “Moonlight Drive.” Although I’d claimed not to be a fan of rock music, it was most definitely growing on me—especially when a sexy shifter crooned in a way that ignited heat in my veins.

I examined the rest of the band, all talented musicians and supernaturals.

Van had told me a bit about each one and said he’d introduce me after the show.

I spotted the dark-haired guitarist, a vampire named Damien.

To Van’s other side was a burly, bearded wolf shifter playing bass.

And at the drum set loomed a massive gray gargoyle shifter with horns and leathery gray skin.

He pounded on the drums with his sticks so hard, it seemed he might break right through them.

That was Caleb, who Van told me often liked to perform in gargoyle form.

I didn’t blame him—it was a great visual, one that would be unforgettable to anyone attending the show.

But not as enticing as the singer.

It still seemed somewhat like a dream that despite all our differences, we’d fallen for each other. Fear had pushed me away from him, but I was grateful I smartened up to take this chance. Never in my two-hundred years prowling this earth had I ever been so hopeful and optimistic about the future.

When we’d returned to the Moonlight Siren last night, I’d reported how Lucien had been harassing me by following me and later physically attacking my mate.

Perhaps I should have done that upon first spotting him on the ship, but then I wouldn’t have had that foolish idea of enlisting a shifter’s help as a fake boyfriend—and I had zero regrets there.

Lucien, however, hadn’t come back on board. Van’s warning must have worked far better than my words. While his fierceness had intimidated Lucien, it had a starkly different effect on me. I found it devilishly enticing.

In fact, I wouldn’t mind experiencing his feral side again tonight.

He sauntered across the stage, looking ever-so-decadent in a pair of black leather pants that fit just right—perhaps a little too right—with the way they drew my attention to what they covered within.

This was a thousand times better than a suit, although he’d looked incredibly dashing in one.

I loved all the different sides of him I’d seen so far and couldn’t wait to discover more.

Last night, we’d ended back in my suite and tumbled into my bed together—kissing and touching and caressing with gentle words until the sun came up. Once I’d woken up at sundown, I went down to the reception area and inquired about some arrangements.

Van and Luna Blue Shadows finished up their set with Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” encouraging the audience to chime in.

At the end of the show, he quickly made his way toward me.

“I loved seeing you in the front row there tonight.”

“Good. Because you might see it more often.”

“Oh? Was I that good tonight?”

“I’m hoping for even better in my suite tonight.”

He chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”

“You know, I’ve greatly enjoyed my time on the Moonlight Siren. I’ve booked an extended stay.”

His eyes widened. “Brilliant.” He wrapped me in his strong arms. “I couldn’t imagine anything I’d want more.”

I gazed into his eyes. “Van, I’ve fallen in love with you too.” I paused before I admitted, “When we were together and you let me bite you, my heart beat for the first time in two centuries. I knew then—I knew you were the one.”

He beamed, his eyes twinkling as he stared down at me.

“What’s the matter, shifter?” I teased and cocked my head. “Cat got your tongue?”

He dropped his head back and chortled at the memory of our first encounter, when I’d given him a hard time for catching him gape at me.

“Oh, I’ve got a story to tell you about that,” he said.

“But first, I have something far more important to say.” He searched my eyes again, a hint of a smile lingering.

“I love you, Celeste Deveraux. Beautiful vampire, sophisticated woman.” He bent down and kissed me, then pulled his lips a fraction away to murmur, “And most fortunate for me—my mate.”