Page 9 of I Dated a Golden Vampire (Blind Date Corporation #21)

P ria was smiling gently as she guided Cabree through basic, slow stretches to increase the range of motion. “You are doing really well, Cabree.”

“How can your range of motion be so much greater? You were paralyzed.”

“Yes, well, I made the suit bend me and stretch me every moment I was wearing it. If I couldn’t keep muscle tone, I was going to keep the range of movement.

I couldn’t even type without using ocular scanners.

” She smiled and corrected Cabree’s posture, “So, I used every aspect of that suit and did so much work with the researchers and developers.”

“You did, huh?”

“Yeah, they also talked to me a lot, and I explained a thought I had about slowing the deadly waves as they got toward a vulnerable shoreline. I think they are working on building the baffles.”

Cabree looked at her. “Did they come to you to consult?”

“No.”

“Did they pay you?”

“No. I was in the recovery home.” Pria shook her head.

“Oh, shit. I never thought about where you were for that whole time.” Cabree paused and stood upright. “Do you want to see how far the research has gone?”

“Yes. I really do.” Pria nodded.

“Great. Let’s go.”

Pria laughed. “Had enough for today?”

“You must be able to crack walnuts with your inner thighs.”

“I have never tried it, but it’s not off the table.” She chuckled. “Come on. Let’s see what they did with my ideas.”

They walked through the sleeping ship and got to the room where Cabree immediately ordered room service. “Sorry, but if I am up this early, I have to eat.”

Pria laughed, and Cabree pulled out a tablet, typing in enormous passcodes before she was in the research facility file centre.

Cabree nodded. “Do you have an intellectual property lawyer?”

“I spent the last of my funds on this cruise, and it ended today, so no.”

“I will find you one. I don’t mind that they are selling it. I do mind that I can find all of the interviews laying out how to accomplish it with your name on it, and your name is not on any of the proposals and test designs.”

“That is annoying.” Pria got them both coffee from the in-room dispenser. “What do you mean, I could sue?”

“This design means that some hard-hit coastlines could have more time to evacuate. It could save lives and property.”

“That was the idea.” Pria smiled.

“I know a few lawyers with this specialty, and it is something that needs to be defended. You have proof it was you, there were visitation logs, and the suit was rigged to record everything.”

“I had no idea.”

“If you had been in major distress, the suit could have called for help, but it would have to hear you confirm it.”

“Uh-huh. I remember hearing that, but the suit was busy attaching itself to me, so I was a little distracted.”

They talked about the suit, and Cabree recorded their notes. Their meal arrived, and they ate.

Cabree laughed. “This is where we part ways. I need to sunbathe. You can find me in the private section.”

“Wait, it’s a requirement?”

“Yes.”

“Is there a nearby pool?”

“Of course. Salt water.”

“Hang on. I’m gonna get one of those aspirational suits.”

“Aspirational?”

“It wishes it were really fabric.” Pria grinned and went to get into swimwear and a cover-up.

Cabree snorted and put away her tablet.

Dressed for maximum exposure, they walked up to the private deck, and Pria took up a cabana before putting her wrap down and getting into the pool.

It was early, and there was no one there, so she played in the pool, pulling the water up to lift her and spinning in it and around her in different figures.

She played music in her thoughts for half an hour and then let the water carry her to the edge of the pool. She heard applause and saw that the staff were grinning and watching. She gave a slight nod, rinsed off, and went to lie in the cabana, seeking rest with the sounds of the ocean around her.

Cabree came to her, and they got lunch and then both resumed their respective pass-out spots for the day.

“Pria. Oh, you look so much better than the last time I saw you.”

Pria looked around, and she was standing on the sea floor with a familiar presence nearby. “Master Roil, I could only hope to improve. I was paralyzed and nearly dead.”

From behind her, she saw a flash of blue and white as he swam around her and stood in front of her. He was close. He could only do mind to mind if he was within a few miles.

Roil stood in front of her, his hair floating in the current. He had bands on his biceps and forearms, but the rest of him was bare to the loose silk that wrapped around his hips.

“Hey, you got a new tattoo, Master Roil.” She tried to fill the silence.

“And you have a new swimsuit. It isn’t your normal style, but I am very appreciative.”

She grimaced. “That had better be the current moving your wrap, Master.”

He sighed, his gorgeous features amused. “You can call me by my name now.”

“That would be fine, but I don’t know what it is.”

“That had not occurred to me. Riro.” He smiled. “My name is Riro.”

“Hello, Riro.”

He stepped toward her. She could feel his heat near her. “Riro, how close are you, exactly?”

“Open your eyes and find out, Pria.”

She sat up with a jolt, and he was sitting in the corner of the cabana, sipping at her fruit drink. “You are here.”

“I am. Hello, Pria. You are looking well. Very well.” His eyes were taking inventory.

“Well, it isn’t a compressor suit, so things aren’t compressed.”

“No, they are not. My people do not know what they are missing by banning air-only breathers.”

“That sounds like I would spread myself out in a Hyreno square.”

His eyes flickered, and he smiled slowly. “That’s a thought, but then I would see how many of my people were willing to drown.”

She stood and shrugged her cover-up on. She sat down again. “Why are you here?”

“I am just here to greet you and offer you and your friend a tour of the island.”

“We are taking a sunset aerial tour of the islands.”

He smiled slowly. “I am an excellent pilot. I will take good care of you.”

She blinked. “Oh. Shucks. It was a setup.”

“It was. I am sorry, but I do know how adept you are at avoiding trouble.” He chuckled. “I know how hard trouble has to work to get into your path.”

She looked around.

“Your little friend is having a very in-depth chat with Denog.”

Pria blinked slowly. “How in-depth?”

“Oh, as far as he can go, I would imagine.” He held out her juice. “Thirsty?”

* * * *

C abree gasped as he bit her inner thigh and drank while his fingers thrust and retreated.

She whined and threaded her fingers through his hair, digging her heel into his back.

He sucked strongly and thumbed her clit, causing her to scream, and then she tried to buck him loose.

He released her thigh and moved up her body, pressing into her, and the pleasure, pressure, and friction took up her whole consciousness.

He kissed her as he surged and retreated. She wrapped around him, but her left leg was still over his shoulder, and she groaned as he thrust deep.

Denog got his fingers between them and pressed against her clit. The moment she dug her nails into his back, he shuddered and held himself deep.

Cabree felt the tears creeping from the corners of her eyes, and he kissed them and licked them away.

He had marched her to her stateroom and then her bedroom. She was still trying to figure out how he had gotten on the ship.

She was gasping and blinking, and he grinned. “You look so surprised.”

“I think you just fucked my brains out.”

He laughed, and she groaned because he was so very deep.

“Don’t laugh. Not until you are out of me.” Her body tried to grip his, but she was at the edge of what she could manage.

He chuckled. “But I don’t want to leave you.”

“Tough. There is no way I can go to dinner like this.”

He grinned. “Riro has prepared something special for us, but I couldn’t wait.”

“Riro. Oh, Roil.”

“He retired. He couldn’t face life as a guard without her.”

She stared at him. “You are still inside me.”

“I am.”

“I was right. It does get cold.”

He started to laugh. She hissed and thumped her heel against his back. “On what planet do you think this is comfortable?”

Snickering, he eased her leg down to his hip. “Better?”

She huffed. “Marginally.”

He eased out of her, and she exhaled. “Better.”

Denog kissed her and rolled to her side. “Come live with me.”

“No.”

“You mentioned you could work from anywhere.”

“True, but in your mind, I am waiting for you to have time to spend with me. No friends. Just you and a computer.”

He huffed. “How do you know that?”

“You have that look about you. You want me to be a very expensive pet.”

“What do you want?”

“I want to be not alone. Regular visits with friends. I want friends. I haven’t been allowed to be just a person with a normal village around me.”

“I would be your village.” He stroked her back.

“And when you are gone, what then? I have seen at least four of your collection, and I don’t want to be the best bitch in the pack.” She said it calmly.

He stilled. “I see. I need them for blood.”

“Do you? Were you hungry or just eager to get to me? You took less than an ounce.”

He paused. “It is the habit of decades.”

“I am trying this new thing called self-respect.” She looked at him. “When it comes to my future, it is all about me.”

“I can provide for you.”

“I gather that. I am stupidly wealthy. I have invested wisely across the last decade or so.”

“How much do you consider stupidly wealthy?”

“Mid-nine figures.”

He grinned. “Really? No wonder you didn’t get excited at the casino.”

She shrugged, and he rolled. She put her head on his chest. “I always thought vampires were cold.”

“Myth and legend. Vampire is a class of drinkers only. You are right, though, I wanted you, not your blood. I wasn’t hungry at all.”

“If I left you with blood bags, you would have food for a year. Then the ladies could cuddle up to you without fear.” She grimaced. “Did not mean for that to rhyme.”

“You would just give me up?”