Page 26 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver

Stepping across the threshold, I marvel. Truly, this room is superior to mine. It has two large windows, but one is nearly covered in ivy, so it creates a moody green glow when the sun is bright like it is today. The other window offers a direct view of the glittery lake.

“Hi, Camille said that you wanted to see me?” Being in his presence and breathing his scent, the butterflies within my chest spring to life. I think that I should be ashamed about yesterday and my insane behavior, but… I’m okay.

Logically, I should be repentant. But the way Aries spoke to me—the things he said and the way he held my hands—it’s given me a sense of comfort. Reassurance.

He smiles. His rich irises are warm and soft. “I did. Good afternoon, your grace.”

I pause, thwarted. “We… we’re back to ‘your grace’? You called me Oliver last night.”

Aries’s eyes widen and he leans to look past me. His voice is low but urgent. “Did you come here alone?”

“Yes.”

His shoulders relax and he exhales, running a palm down his face. “I have this sneaking suspicion that you trulywantme to lose my head.”

“We don’t do that… anymore. And I would never put you in danger. I won’t repeat our conversations.”

His hand drops from his face. “But it isn’t just about us talking, is it, my young lord? It’s about more than that and you know it.”

The heat inside rushes up, making my nature twist in my stomach. I stamp it down, but I can’t do anything about the flush in my cheeks. “I don’t want anything from you, I promise.”

“Your reaction last night suggests otherwise.”

“I know—but just ignore that.” I wave a hand. “I swear I’m alright. And thank you… for making it a nice memory.”

He turns, glancing at me as he stalks toward the table. A beguiling smile graces his mouth. “It’s my pleasure. I have fabrics for you to choose. Come here, please?”

Nodding, I take a few steps to stand at his side. I don’t want anything from him, but I… I wish I could have something. A little more of him. For us to be closer.

That’s impossible. I know it, so I shouldn’t bother entertaining myself with questions of how he might feel about me. If this is one-sided, or if there’s something within him that responds to me, too?

I wonder… what color do his eyes alight when he’s aroused? How would it feel to touch him? Or maybe, to have my lips pressed against his beautiful full ones in a kiss?

God. What does he taste like? His mouth, his skin and his blood. What would it be like to fall in love with him? To allow myself to submit to this remarkable feeling humming inside me. I’ve never thought about another vampire this way, and it’s truly—

“Oliver?”

“Yes?” Sucking in a breath, I clench my eyes shut because the same burn from last night is threatening to spark my irises. I’ve really let my mind wander too far for anyone’s good. Quickly, I imagine the snow. Huge white tufts falling all around.

“Are we alright?”

I exhale. “Yes. I’m here.”

“You’ll need to open your eyes to choose.”

“Right.” Cautiously, I peek one eye open. I’m okay. Marginally in control. I roll my shoulders and scan the table.

Aries launches into an expert presentation on the swatches of fabric laid out before us. Lord Blakeley has explicitly told him nothing too flashy, but the design is largely in Aries’s capable hands. Words like Pima, Oxford, Swiss and Egyptian cotton fly past me, and more names for the color blue than I ever thought imaginable: spruce, Aegean, azure and cerulean. Some are darker and some lighter, but other than that, I honestly have no clue.

When Aries finishes his impressive explanation, he rests his hands on his hips. “So, do you have any particular preferences?”

I look down at the table for a long moment, then look back at him. “Um, I like the blue ones.”

“They’re all blue.”

I point. “This one looks gray.”

“It’s blue.”