"Eve," he says. "Not that I think we can put the genie back in the bottle, but I have to be sure. Will you commit to become myAdept?"
"I can try," I say, frowning, not sure if I can when he puts it thatway.
"Like Yoda said, there is notry. There is only do or donot."
I shake my head. "I can't believe a vampire watched Star Wars and can quoteYoda."
"Eternity's very long. Cable television helps." He grins that grin I love so much and I can't help but smile back, my heart swelling, and I reach out to touch hisface.
Then he's serious again, the grin gone, his blue eyes intense oncemore.
"Eve, with us, it's all in or all out. I'll be your mind and you'll be my heart. Thereisno other option. Not if you enter our world. Humans are never equals with vampires. You're always ourservants."
I watch him for a moment, staring at his beautiful face, remembering his touch, thinking of his history, and I know what my decisionis.
"All in,then."
He leans over me and kisses me softly, tenderly. I run my hands up his back under his sweater and over his shoulder. My body's ready again and I want it long andslow.
"Oh,Eve…"
* * *
Chapter 15
"Fear may inducethe show of submission, but love only can truly subjugate a haughtyspirit."
Mary CowdenClarke
I wake while it's still dark and he's not beside me. I hear him in the bathroom and he's wearing only his boxer briefs, washing his face when I go in to joinhim.
"Time to go?" I say, admiring his physique, sad that dawn has to partus.
"Time for bed," he says and when he's finished drying his hands, he grabs me and pulls me against him, my hands in one of his behind my back, his grip tight. Why does that send such a thrill throughme?
"You must sleep as well. Training starts tonight. I want to show you how to kill vampires up close and personal, so you'll be able to defend yourself. Make sure you're well-rested."
I frown. I wanted to speak with him about Montana, the sense of unease I've felt since we met Sorensurfacing.
"Michel, I want to talk aboutMontana."
"Tomorrow night, Eve. We'll do a full debrief. I don’t have a lot of time right now and you need to get somesleep."
I nod and lean against him, looking up into his eyes. "I think I'm going to have a very goodsleep."
"You were already sleeping like a baby." He kisses me,softly.
"I wish you could stay and sleep withme."
"I know," he says. "Can't risk it. My home is designed to protect me from the sun. Besides, Vasily will be getting really bored out in thecar."
"You have a guardoutside?"
"Have one posted at the front and back door. I have to be safe. But soon, you'll come to my place and sleep with me all day if youwant."
"I want," I say. Then he lets my hands go and he puts his watch on and pulls his sweater over his head. I stand naked, watching him dress, and he glances at me andsmiles.
"What a lovely way to start the morning," he says and comes to me when he's dressed, lifting my chin with a finger. "A naked Eve, smiling, displaying her dimples. The way my day should always start." He kisses me. “I want you to move in with me and I want you to be naked at all times when we're alone in oursuite."