Page 138 of Vampires of Eden

He laughs. “Well, you know better than anyone that I’m far from perfect.”

“Do I?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

The playful mirth in Alexander’s face crumbles and his shoulders drop. Deflated, like a pricked balloon. “Danny…”

I suddenly realize that he’s taken what I’ve said the wrong way. I’m about to cross the small chasm between us to reach him, but he beats me to it.

Before I can blink, he steps into me. I inhale another sharp breath as his wonderful scent encircles us. The heat of him caresses my face and neck and his energy burns through my clothes. Cautiously, he places his hands at my hips. I raise my palms to cup his face, pulling him closer.

Forehead to forehead, nose to nose, I close my eyes.

“This prince stuff is just titles and façade,” he whispers. I part my lips to taste the citrusy hint of his breath. “You know I’m a train wreck.”

“You are not,” I say, drawing away to look him in the eyes. “You’re complex and layered, but aren’t we all? You’re thoughtful and attentive. Sweet. I love these things, Rabbit. For me, you are perfect.”

Alexander stills within my grasp. He stares into my eyes, awestruck, as if he’s seeing me for the first time.

I can’t take it anymore, so I lean and brush my lips against his as I whisper. “Kiss me.”

He exhales, then meets me with his mouth open slightly. The moment we’re connected, the smoldering heat and electricity overtakes and threatens to consume us both. His arms snake and wrap tightly around my body and my hands grip and ruin his neatly-styled hair. I tilt my head, slipping and entangling his tongue with mine and losing myself in the bright spark of him.

I love him in this suit, but I also want him out of it. I want him naked in a bed, breathless with his chest heaving as I lick and taste every inch of his skin. Our bodies connected and his aura liberated and saturating the air around us. His flesh pumping into me, slick and wet until he comes, unraveled and satisfied because I am absolutely certain that I can do that for him.

This kiss, my desires and lascivious thoughts are so intensethat it feels as if we’re melting into each other. The invisible magnetism is palpable. A deep and guttural pull that holds us both captive.

“Meeeoooooow.”

A loud and rather desperate-sounding shriek emanates from beneath us. With our mouths still connected, we both awkwardly open our eyes in surprise. Alexander’s are alighted bright golden as he pulls away and glances down. I follow his gaze. Buffy is stretched up on her hind legs and with her front paws hooked into the material of his pants at his thigh.

Striking suit?

Ruined.

“Buff Buff!Stop.” He releases me and bends to declaw the cat from his pants.

Every sense in my body is heightened and aroused. I take a deep breath to calm myself. “The luxurious cat has destroyed the luxurious suit,” I chide, grinning and rolling my shoulders.

“She’s not ‘luxurious.’ I found her in an alley near a dumpster.”

“Still, she’s a beautiful cat. She looks noble.”

“Another façade.” When he stands, his irises are back to normal and the pretty cat is cradled in his arms like a fluffy newborn. He kisses her face. “Buffy, this is Danny. Danny, Buffy.”

The cat is contented now that she has our full attention. Or, at least, Alexander’s. This might be a problem. “Hello Buffy, the vampire pants slayer. I don’t reallydocats or animals in general. Is there some protocol here?”

“Put your hand by her nose and let her sniff you. She’ll decide from there.”

“She’ll decide what?” I ask, nervous. “Is this some kind of test? If she hisses at me, am I not going to get to sleep in your bed tonight?”

Alexander folds his lips in. A weak attempt to stifle his grin. “Just do it, Daniel.”

I pout at the sudden formal use of my name. Setting myshoulders back, I lift a hand and place it by her pink nose. As if this is a standard vetting routine, she sniffs my skin with interest for several beats. When she’s satisfied, she nuzzles her damp nose into my hand.

“Approved,” Alexander declares. “You can pet her.”

“Thank the gods.” I raise my hand and stroke the top of her head. She nuzzles into my palm, purring lightly. Cute. “I’d much rather pet and makeyoupurr. Among other things.”

Alexander chuckles and shakes his head as if to brush me off. Silly Daniel and his flirty comments.