Page 108 of Taming His Vampire Mate

“That’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s very human.”

“I haven’t been human in a long time.”

“You are, in all the ways that matter,” I said, echoing his words. I kissed the top of his head. “And it’s okay to stop running. I told you before—I’m not going anywhere.”

“You don’t know that,” he said. And I could feel his sudden, sharp anxiety through the bond. What I’d felt before was only a pale echo of what the blood bond showed me. Now his thoughts and feelings were so vivid they felt like my own.

“I do,” I assured him. “I won’t leave you. I promise. Not as long as there’s a breath in my body. And maybe even after that.”

He huffed. “A love affair with a ghost would probably be difficult. For instance, you’d likely have a harder time ravishing me.”

“I’d learn. I’m a pretty motivated guy in the right circumstances.”

His lips twitched into a smile, and I knew my words had chased away some of his unease. “Don’t I know it.” He paused. “What about your pack? You can’t stay here forever, as much as I might like that.”

“I honestly have no idea. But I’ll figure it out.” I hesitated, then said it anyway. “I have something to live for now.”

Thierry let out a long, shuddering breath. “Me too.”

“Godric, the pack, all of it can wait. Today is for us.”

Relief thrummed through the bond. He nodded. “Yes. Quite right.”

I pressed another kiss to his hair, him curled against my chest. We lay there a long time, just existing. Something deep inside me finally relaxed. I didn’t know what came next, but I knew whatever it was, it would be at Thierry’s side.

We drowsed on the knife-edge of sleep, the rest of the world meaningless noise. There was only warmth and safety, the absolute contentment of knowing we had both looked at the worst parts of each other and neither of us had flinched.

When Thierry slipped into sleep, I followed, safe in the knowledge that I would see him again. I would always see him again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE || THIERRY

Idrifted back to consciousness slowly because I didn’t want to leave the dream. Jeremy and I had been flying again, soaring over an endless, lush rainforest. There had been two suns, but it hadn’t bothered me in the slightest. The fierce joy of it still lingered in my chest.

But at last, my body woke me. Jeremy’s arms slipped away and the feeling of safety popped like a soap bubble.

I blinked rapidly, sitting up in bed.

Jeremy was still deeply asleep beside me, snoring softly, rolled onto his side with the sheet tangled around his bare torso. Looking down at him, my heart swelled as I realized he belonged to me. And more than that—Iwantedhim to. It was hard to believe that not long ago, I hadn’t trusted him at all. I’d told myself I couldn’t stand him.

Now he seemed like the most important person in my world. The only person I wanted to trust enough to let in completely. Someone I wanted to try to cherish. I was out of practice, but I was confident Jeremy wouldn’t mind if I got it wrong a few times.

That was what mattered.

We could figure out the rest. Even if we ended up halfway around the world from each other—me chasing feral vampires,him leading his pack—we’d still meet every night in the dreamscape.

Strange, how that had alarmed me so much only a few nights ago. Now it was an immense relief. We could work through anything if we wanted to. I wouldn’t ever be gone too long. Just long enough for him to miss me.

I was in love with this man. The thought spread a broad smile across my lips.

No light peeked through my thick curtains, which meant it was still fully dark outside. The near-total silence when I strained my ears told me it was early morning—hours before anyone else was awake. I had probably only slept an hour, two at most.

I thought about waking Jeremy but couldn’t bring myself to do it. He was mortal, after all. Better to let him sleep. He’d need his energy later. I had plenty of plans that required him to be well rested.

Instead, I slipped out of bed and into the bathroom. I took a long, hot shower. Afterward, I dressed in a sapphire-blue velvet suit with a skin-tight black turtleneck. Shiny black shoes, matching silk pocket square. I left the barest hint of stubble on my jaw, deciding not to shave. Jeremy would probably appreciate a little roughness.

After all, I certainly did.

When I finished dressing, I flashed myself a wicked grin in the mirror—I looked good enough for Jeremy to sink his teeth into. The idea sent a surge of arousal through me. I revisited the thought of waking him.