Heir of Night (The Thorne Hill)

Eliza nods. “I’d do you if I didn’t have a date tonight. Actually, I still would.”

“Well, thanks? I think.” I pause in the foyer, looking at myself in the mirror. The dress is a silky material with a low neckline and an empire waist tied with a matching sash. It’s loose and flows but still shows off my figure. I paired it with low black heels that I think I’ve worn maybe twice in my life. I put on my mom’s silver bracelet that Michael gave me and grabbed one of the many expensive necklaces Lucas has gifted me since we’ve been together.

“It’s a compliment. Or maybe I’m just getting turned on because you’re the savior of humanity,” she says with a smirk.

“I’m regretting telling you that,” I deadpan. “And for the record—again—Kristy said it, not me.”

“She may not be wrong.” With that, she speeds past me up the stairs. I find Lucas in the den with Scarlet, watching TV. He’s wearing a dark gray suit with a black button-up underneath. He looks up, and my breath catches in my chest and desire runs rampant through my body. He’s exactly what I imaged the vampire in the romance novels I used to read would look like. I've known vampires existed since I first landed at the Academy. I knew they were dangerous and not to be trusted, and that probably added to their appeal when I’d sneak dirty romance novels into my dorm, reading at night instead of sleeping.

“You’re absolutely stunning.” He turns the TV off and comes over.

“So are you,” I tell him and extend my arms, hooking my hands over his shoulders. “You’re going to get hit on tonight, I can feel it. Maybe it’ll be my turn to get a little possessive and remind those thirsty bitches you’re taken.”

“I don’t plan on leaving your side, so it will be obvious you’re mine.”

“You mean it’ll be obvious you are mine.” I arch my eyebrows. “The possessiveness goes both ways.” Lucas bunches up the hem of my dress and cups my butt with his large hands. “Also, you’re going to order an appetizer so I can eat it.”

“The owner knows I’m a vampire, but I’ll order food for you.” He gives my butt a squeeze and kisses me. “Let’s go, my love.”

“Tonight was perfect.” I close the fluffy white robe tightly over my body. We’re still on the balcony after having sex against the railing, which was exhilarating as fuck. I came three times before Lucas even pushed his big cock inside of me, and leaning back, head dangling above the city below, while Lucas ate me out was something I’ll never forget. “Thank you for making this happen.”

“We both needed this.” Lucas smooths a blanket over our legs. We’re squished together on one of those egg-shaped hanging lounge chairs. It’s a cold spring night, and being this high up and close to the lake makes it even colder. If Lucas produced any body heat, it would be a lot more bearable. I’m content out here, and even though I’m cold, I’m not moving just yet.

“We did.” I rest my head against him and close my eyes. Dinner was amazing, we weren’t interrupted by the Martins this time, and finishing the night with a tour of the Art Institute was the icing on top.

“Let’s do this at least once a month.” Lucas laces his fingers through mine. “Especially after our daughter is born. We need to make sure we take time for each other.”

My heart swells. “I agree. Do you think it’s going to be hard leaving her?”

“Yes,” he answers honestly. “Maybe we don’t do overnight dates right away. We’ll start with dinner.”

I smile. “You’re going to be a good dad.”

“I’m confident I will.” He puts his other hand on my stomach, and Elena kicks right on cue. “The closer we get, the more I do find myself almost nervous.”

“Almost?”

“Yes. Almost.” He’s smiling when he talks and brings his lips down to kiss my neck. “I can’t say I’ve been truly nervous since I became a vampire. Though I will say I’ve feared for your life more in the year we’ve been together than I have for anyone’s over the course of my sixteen hundred undead years.”

I snort with laughter. “Should I get an award for that?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of a safehouse, hidden away somewhere. With a moat.”

“Will there be sharks in the moat?”

“Crocodiles. They’re more likely to kill if anyone attempted to cross the water.”

“Sharks are cooler. Oh! You could have motion-activated chum buckets that dump when someone attempts to cross so the sharks start going crazy.”

“Motion-activated chum buckets?”

“Yeah.” I laugh. “It’s a brilliant idea that totally won’t stink at all before they’re dumped.”

“The moat needs to be filled with holy water then as well.”