Page 41 of Daring Her Vampires

“It is.” I grin, and she meets my stare. “You make noises.” My grin widens as her mouth drops open.

“Nuh-uh,” she denies.

“It’s cute.”

“Cute,” she snorts, brushing her hair away from her face. “Not possible.”

“Not possible that it’s cute or that you make noises?” I ask.

“Both.”

“Yes. To both.” I prop my head on my hand, my gaze moving down her body.

We didn’t have to beg to sleep with her. She was barely awake when Atlas carried her from the car. Stripping the minute she entered the bedroom, she used the bathroom and then sprawled across the bed. By the time we slid on either side of her, she was out. I don’t remember ever sleeping overnight with a woman; it’s an interesting sensation. Sally is different. Our future is beside her, so we'll have many nights like last night.

“I’m naked,” she states.

“Yes.” I lift a brow.

“I did that myself,” she murmurs.

“You did.”

“I like sleep,” she says.

“Okay.”

“Sorry, I fell asleep on you.”

“No need to be sorry. We got to sleep next to you.” I trace her fingers on the bed between us. “You move a lot. I woke up once, and you were on top of Atlas. Another time, you were snuggling into my side. It was a nice way to wake up.”

“Shit.” She laughs.

“I liked it.” I trail my fingers up her arm.

“Good thing. But I will never believe I make noises.” She shivers as I trace circles over her collarbone.

“Believe it or not.” She narrows her eyes.

“Where’s Atlas?” she asks.

“He’s at Quinn’s office with Allie. They are going over the habits of Fredrick.” I drag my hand between her breasts and drop it next to her hand.

“Has he been spotted nearby?” she asks.

“I don’t know. Atlas will tell me later.”

“Aren’t you concerned?”

“I am, but I know Atlas has it handled.” I lift a shoulder. “He’s always been a leader. He solves problems. Growing up, he was responsible and took care of us.”

“I can see that,” she says. “What about you?”

“I was the one who needed saving,” I admit.

“What do you mean?” She frowns.

“I was small and quiet. I didn’t enjoy the things other kids did. Reading wasn’t something you should do for fun. I got used to taking a punch or a kick. For a long time, I hid what was happening. My father would always say,‘boys will be boys.’ He wanted me to develop thick skin. He verbally berated me on a daily basis. I was too sensitive. Atlas was strong, outgoing, and had more girlfriends. I loved him and looked up to him, so admitting that I was being hit was humiliating,” I grumble.