Page 153 of Vampire so Virtuous

While he waited politely outside her door, she drew the blinds, then hurried to gather discarded clothing from the chair and toss it in the hamper. She gave the room a critical appraisal as she straightened the bed. It was a fraction of the size of the one she’d slept in at his house, but it was tidy enough.

She hadn’t closed the door, but he still waited outside. She opened it fully and invited him in. “Do you need anything else?”

He entered, placing his boots carefully under the chair, then turned to face her, slipping his fingers into the pockets of his jeans. “I have everything, thank you.”

“Good.”

The room felt smaller with him in it, standing just a few feet away, watching her.

She looked away. “I’ll, uh, leave you to sleep, then.”

“Thank you,ma chérie.”

“Sure.” She closed the door behind her, and leaned against it. Then she walked back into the living room, flicked on the lights, and collected her coffee from the kitchen counter.

She was weary too after the stresses of the night, but at least she’d managed some sleep. She could always nap on the sofa if needed.

No, she wouldn’t be able to rest. Not with her mind playing over and over what Belle had said.

Fatum coniunctum.A shared fate.

“Once bound to a vampire, her power will steadily grow. Then it must be used, or consumed, or she will die.”

Cally shuddered. Then she straightened, setting her coffee cup down so carelessly it sloshed and spilled. She hurried back to her bedroom, pushing open the door.

“Antoine, do you think we should—”

He was facing away from her, naked from the waist up. His smooth, finely muscled back, broad shoulders… and he was in the process of lowering his jeans, his bare ass half in the light of the doorway and half in shadow.

“Oh—so sorry.” She blushed and turned away as he pulled his jeans back up.

“No matter.Was there something you needed?”

“I… never mind.” She stepped back, drawing the door closed, but his fingers gripped it before it had hardly moved.

“What is it,ma chérie?”

He was facing her, his belt and the top button of his jeans still undone, and a fine line of hair trailed down from his navel, disappearing within. She pulled her eyes up with an effort, which wasn’t much better. His bare stomach, bumpy abs she wanted to run her fingers over, pecs she could…

He was watching her.

She cleared her throat, focusing on his face. “Belle said that if my power built up too much, I could die.”

He tilted his head. “Why would it build up?”

“Because of the symbiosis. She mentioned something about exploding and redecorating the sofa in a more charming color.”

“Did she now?” he said, his lips twitching. Then he frowned. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m glad you think so,” she said sarcastically, “even if it did take you a moment.”

“My apologies,ma chérie.I am half asleep. Please, tell me what it is you wish.”

She glanced down, squirming, but that didn’t help; it drew her eyes to his half-unbuttoned jeans once more. “I wondered if… we should… you know…”

“You wish to make love?” he asked, a note of puzzlement in his voice.

“Hell no!” Her head came up. “Why would you—?”