Page 5

VAN

W hat in the world was going on?

A minute ago, I’d felt defeated—thinking this gorgeous vampire was with another man. But now? She’d wrapped her arms around me and asked me to help her. Everything in me screamed to go for it. Protect her.

Claim her.

What the hell was going on?

My jaguar clawed at my insides, snarling with certainty. She’s the one. We found our mate. He declared it over and over, prancing around like a kitten in an inflatable bounce house.

Calm down and stop bouncing around like an idiot, I chastised him, desperate for a shard of self-control.

My insides were going haywire, responding to this heightened awareness. The vampire’s delectable scent infused my senses with insatiable, possessive urges. Was this all part of Maribelle’s twisted prank?

It’s real , my jaguar insisted. He snorted. And you think I’m the idiot.

I still hadn’t responded to this woman with the French accent. Other than instinctively wrapping my arms around her in response to her unexpected embrace. This vampire—whose name I didn’t even know—who’d pressed her soft curves against me.

A purr rumbled out of my chest. It was impossible to deny how right it felt to hold this strange woman.

“Please,” she whispered, barely audible.

Stop standing like a dumbass. Say something . Anything. I swallowed, praying I wouldn’t croak like a frog or channel Dr. Seuss’s rhymes when I opened my mouth.

“Sweetheart, there you are. I missed you.” The lie rolled off my tongue as smooth as velvet.

“Oh, I was just out exploring the ship. Seeing what there is to do. I’m tired, though. Let’s head back to our suite, love.” She pulled her body away and slipped her hand into mine.

Love? Suite? Damn. Where was this going?

But hell if I wasn’t going to run along it, if not downright gallop wherever she wanted to lead.

“Of course, darling.” I’d have to use pet names since I didn’t know her actual name. “Let’s go.”

She flashed a brilliant smile that shone brighter than the moon. My insides turned warm and fuzzy. She turned over her shoulder and I followed her gaze to see a man glaring at us, jaw clenched. Even at this distance, I sensed he was a vampire—but not like the one in my arms.

How odd. I’d grown up with a wariness of other supernaturals, especially vampires. Their undead bodies. Their unnatural need for blood. Yet once I’d started working on this ship, I’d gotten used to other types of supernaturals, including vampires, especially since joining a band with one.

“Bonne nuit, Lucien. Enjoy your cruise.” She paused and chewed her bottom lip, drawing my attention to her red lips. “Actually, you might want to get off at the next stop. It’ll make this a more enjoyable voyage for all of us.”

We marched past the dragon pool, and once out of earshot, she leaned close and whispered, “I’ll explain everything in a minute. Can you come with me to my suite?”

“Of course,” I said, following without hesitation. I’d follow her to the ends of the ship—and then beyond.

Wait, where did that come from?

The vampire woman led us toward the luxury suites. I’d never been in this exclusive area before and couldn’t imagine how expensive a night up here would cost, let alone an entire sailing. She swiped a key card, and we entered.

The very atmosphere seemed to change—quieter, smelling faintly of lilacs, and somehow luxuriant. Plush carpets muffled our steps, crystal light fixtures sparkled above us, and cool marble lined the hallway like we’d stepped into a luxury hotel.

Damn. This wasn’t just a section of the ship—it was a different world.

I’d never been here before. Cruise personnel like me were often crammed into the lower levels near the hum of the engine and the never-ending smell of bleach.

At least I had my own cabin—not glamorous by any means, and the size of a shoebox, but it was private.

Much better than sharing a crammed space with another dude, especially one of the guys from the band.

We already spent a lot of time together and could get on each other’s nerves, as evidenced by an onstage brawl instigated by our former bassist. That led to his departure, but now we had Rex, who was a much better fit.

He was mellower, even for a wolf shifter.

Here? This place had room to breathe. To stretch without knocking over a mini-fridge.

She opened the door, and I gaped at her suite.

It looked like it could be featured in a vampire version of Architectural Digest —dark wood, tasteful furniture, and sleek, modern touches.

Floor-to-ceiling windows with rich drapery framed the dark ocean like a living painting.

The space was big enough to fit my entire band twice and our instruments twice over—even with room for our egos.

A bar with gold fixtures gleamed in one corner, stocked with bottles that probably cost more than my monthly paycheck.

I stepped inside with wide eyes, half-expecting someone named Jeeves to hand me a silk robe and a glass of champagne.

“Whoa…so this is how the upper half of the ship lives,” I said with a smirk.

“Thanks for doing this,” she said, placing a pale hand on her chest. “I’m Celeste Deveraux.” She motioned at me. “I saw you perform earlier tonight. Impressive, by the way.” She gave a small, approving nod.

Her praise rolled through me. “Thanks,” I uttered. “So…who’s the guy with the glaring problem?”

She frowned. “My ex-fiancé. It’s over. It has been for months—ever since I caught him cheating. But I just discovered he’s on board.”

“Did he follow you here?”

“Yes.” She scowled. “Anyway, thanks again for going along with this,” she said. “If you don’t mind hanging out here for a bit to help sell this, I’d appreciate it.”

I didn’t mind one bit. “Sell what exactly?”

She gestured back and forth between us. “You know—that we’re together.”

My jaguar perked up at that.

“Sorry I sprang it on you. It just happened in the moment. I figured if he thought I’m with someone else, he’d finally give up and leave me alone.” She paused, then blinked. “Wait—I still don’t even know your name.”

“Van,” I said. “Van Tyrian.”

“Van,” she repeated, extending her slender hand. “Nice to meet you.”

I took her hand. It felt oddly formal, considering we’d just been wrapped around each other like long-lost lovers. Not that I was complaining. Especially not with that giant king-sized bed whispering how much room was available to—play.

She stood and walked over to the bar. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Sure,” I replied. “Whatever you’re having.”

She chuckled over her shoulder. “You okay with a blood cocktail?”

Oh, hell no. “How about vodka?”

She peeked inside the fridge and pulled something out. “That I can do,” she said, pouring our drinks and then handing one to me.

“So,” she asked as we settled onto the couch, “since we have some time to kill, why don’t you tell me about yourself? How did you end up as a singer on this ship?”

I sipped my vodka, tasting the bite of alcohol on my tongue. “I saw the opportunity and went for it.”

She arched a brow. “Is that how you approach life?”

I thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Pretty much. Life’s short, right? You have to seize every moment.”

She laughed lightly and placed her drink down. “Human life, yes. But after two centuries as a vampire…” She tipped her head and quirked a brow.

Two centuries? All those years of life and experience. I felt like a child in comparison. I gulped. And she didn’t look a day over forty. “You look fantastic.”

“Thank you. Courtesy of no longer aging.”

We chatted more while we drank, and I grew more comfortable for being a fish out of water in this opulent space.

“Where are you from, Celeste?”

“I spend most of my time in the south of France.”

Ah, that explained her accent—rich and lush, like a soft melody with a hint of sensuality?—

“And you?” she asked.

“Florida, before I joined this ship earlier this year.”

Her brows arched up. “I’ve heard about ‘Florida Man.’ Does that also apply to shifters?” she teased.

“Some, maybe,” I agreed with a grunt. “But not me. I’m more of a go-with-the-flow guy. As long as I can play my music without anyone ruffling my fur, it’s all good.”

“I see,” she said with an amused glimmer in her eyes. “Well, I’ll be sure to keep my hands to myself.”

No, you can touch me anytime. I bit my lip to avoid coming on too strong to this elegant vampire, confusion raining down on me.

Since when did I avoid the chance to flirt?

Well, Marielle’s curse had definitely given me pause.

Then again, I’d never met someone quite like Celeste before—someone who made my jaguar rumble with a possessive instinct.

We chatted as we finished our drinks. Although I didn’t want to go, I also didn’t want to overstay my visit.

“Maybe I should leave.” That was the opposite of what I wanted. I’d rather wrap my arms around her again, wake up still holding her, breathing in her scent. Crickey, what had gotten into me?

I shook my head. “If you need anything—or if your ex gives you trouble—come find me. I play in the Nocturnal Lounge both nights.”

She walked me to the door. “Thank you, Van. And yes…hopefully Lucien gets off at the next port in a couple of days. But until then—” She hesitated.

“What?” I prompted.

She met my gaze. “Would you consider pretending…for a little longer? Pretend to be my lover?”

I blinked at her while my jaguar purred inside. Was this really happening? This beautiful woman wanted me to pretend to be her boyfriend.

“I’d make it worth your while,” she added. “I’d compensate you, of course?—”

I raised my hands. “No, no. Of course I’ll help you. No payment whatsoever.”

Her smile lit up her entire face, and damn if it didn’t do something to melt my heart.

“Great,” she said, beaming. “When are you playing next?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“I’ll come to your show.”