Page 64 of The Vampire's Redemption

“You can’t.”

He hid a smile at the tiny hitch in her breath when he kissed her temple and placed a possessive hand at her waist. “We can finish our date.”

Her heartbeat turned erratic. “We can’t. Maria—”

“Nothing can be done for now. You’re only going to toss and turn and worry about her.” He traced a finger down her face, loving the feel of her silky skin. “Let me distract you. I’m an expert at it.”

Without waiting for her reply, he spun on his heel, opened the door, and entered her room. He took in the light beige walls, the heavy brocaded curtains in one glance before sinking into the sofa.

“Come.” He patted the soft cushion next to him. “Have you watched TV yet?”

“Yes, once.” She glided forward, ever the elegant lady. The door shut close behind her. He hated seeing the sadness wrapped around her, too much like the times right before she left him.

Good thing he knew the perfect thing to change that.

Chapter Nineteen

Gabbysighedinwardly.Shehad thought her sitting room was spacious, the couch too big, but it shrank when Felix lounged in it. She had no energy to argue with him as a wave of frustrated helplessness hit her. She should be out there looking for Maria, not dallying with a mate she didn’t want.

Maria’s alive. She has to be, Gabby told herself.

“Hey, come here.”

Her feet moved at the gentle coaxing in Felix’s voice. He tugged her down on the couch beside him. She hated to admit it, but his solid presence soothed her gnawing worry.

“If Maria has lived this long, she’s strong. We’ll find her.”

She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. When he kissed her, it had the desired effect of jolting her out of her melancholy.

With a smug grin, he picked up the remote and turned on the TV. The screen built into the wall opposite them flared to life.

“Now, what to watch…”

“I told you, I’m not—”

She let out a growl when he placed a finger over her lips. “Give it a chance. Please.”

Since she could count the number of times she’d heard the word “please” from him on one hand, she cut off her protest and pushed his hand away. “Fine. Ten minutes.”

“That’s all I need.”

Gabby held still while Felix scrolled down the many tiles on the screen. Seconds later, he stopped on something called “Bond to Me.” The little tile enlarged to show a half-naked woman in the arms of a vampire who resembled Julian. The vampire’s mouth was open, showing his fangs. He was bent over the woman’s neck, about to drink.

Smirking with wicked humor, Felix said, “This is perfect.”

As the movie started, Gabby recognized Vegas and its Towers. She quickly caught on that the movie was about Julian and had to admit the actor playing Julian did a fantastic job. A laugh burst out of her when the actor growled at the female protagonist.

“That sounds exactly like him.”

“Right? We all thought so too.”

“I’m sure Julian was pleased. He did not hunt down the actor?”

“They made the movie with his approval—well, with our approval. Stephen thought it would improve his image.”

When the movie showed “Julian” murder two vampires without mercy, she grimaced. His claws dripped with blood as his eyes glinted red with murderous rage.

“That improves his image?”