“Yes.”
“Maybe I want to work.” I can’t just sit around while I wait to head back to my real life. I want more. I ended up withdrawing from my classes, but I still plan on working on my paper while I’m stuck away in Draven’s castle, playing his wife.
“Allison.” His voice is threadbare, his hand brushing a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. “You can do whatever you want to do.”
“Like go home?”
He chuckles softly. “Except that.”
Nine
Draven
* * *
The way her body feels sliding against mine as we dance is a dream. I wrap my arm tighter, pulling her closer as we spin around the dance floor.
We’re here to put on a show, and by fuck, we’ll put on the best damn show in all of Transylvania.
I must say… My blushing bride is playing the part perfectly.
When the doors opened, and I saw Allison in her wedding gown, I could barely breathe. I couldn’t contain the eruption of yearning for something unrecognizable.
The aroma of her blood wafts through the air, and I sense every vampire in attendance wants to take a taste. They know better.
They know she’s mine.
Allison’s stunning.
Every time I stare into her eyes, I see the light hidden deep within her. The way her blood flows through her body at a different speed and volume than other humans. The way she thirsts for answers.
It’s mesmerizing.
I breathe her in, wondering if she tastes as good as she looks.
It must be her power that has me seeking her approval. It’s her intoxicating blood that has me hanging on her every word like some love-struck teenager.
It’s nothing more than that.
As the song ends, I lean down to kiss Allison’s smooth cheek, letting my lips linger a beat longer than I should before leading her off the dance floor.
The surrounding crowd claps and cheers, and the corner of my lips tip up, relieved this wedding isn’t a disaster. Never in my long life have I thought about getting married, and honestly, I’m thankful I didn’t incinerate on the spot. As we mix in with the guests, I notice Harker standing in the shadows of the far lawn. Anger consumes me that she would show herself here, and if I know her, she’s not below causing a scene.
“I’ll be back soon,” I tell Allison. I nod my head at Viggo, and motion for him to follow.
As soon as we’re far away from prying ears, I glance toward Harker on the lawn. “Get rid of her,” I tell Viggo. “By any means necessary.”
“Understood.” He stalks off in the direction of Harker, and I turn around to find Allison standing a few feet away.
“Don’t want your girlfriend at your wedding?”
I grab Allison by the bicep and drag her into a nearby alcove. “She is not my girlfriend. Why would you even think that?”
“I saw the two of you making out in your room. You never mentioned her again. She loves you, it’s obvious.” She shrugs, like she couldn’t care less. “This is all make believe, so if you want your girlfriend to stay with us, I don’t care.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I growl. “I don’t plan on ruining this charade for any amount of pussy that is thrown my way.”
She blinks at me, her luscious mouth opening and closing, trying to form words.