His Dark Embrace

“I guess you really did miss me,” he murmured as he nuzzled her neck. “How long will Sam be gone?”

“Not long enough.”

“Then we’d better not waste any time,” he said with mock gravity, and kissed her again.

When they came up for air, he drew her to the sofa, then sat, cradling her on his lap.

“I hate it when we’re apart.” Skylynn wrapped her arms around his waist, her head resting on his shoulder.

“I’m not too crazy about it, either.”

“Do vampires ever get married?”

“What?” Thorne stared at her, astonished by her question.

“You heard me. Or isn’t your super-duper hearing working tonight?”

“I heard you. I just ...” He shook his head. “You took me by surprise, that’s all.”

“I guess human or vampire, men are all the same. As soon as a girl mentions marriage, they get cold feet.”

“Are you seriously asking me to marry you?”

“Of course not. Well ... I don’t know.” She bit down on her lower lip, her brow furrowing. “What would you say if I was? Serious? About asking you?”

“I’d probably say you should have your head examined.”

“Oh. So, this ...” Her gaze slid away from his. “What we have, it’s just ... sex? A fling?”

He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look at him. “You know that’s not true.”

“Do I?”

“Skylynn, I’m a vampire, remember? Not exactly prime marriage material.”

“It’s okay.” She wriggled off his lap and onto the sofa. “I understand.”

“Like hell!” He scrubbed his hands up and down his thighs. “I love you. If I still had the potion, if we could have some semblance of a normal life ...”

She lowered her gaze to the floor. “What’s so great about being normal?”

He ran a hand over his jaw. She was so young. She had no idea what she was saying. What she was asking. “I’ll never be able to share your whole life,” he said quietly. “I can’t give you a family. I can’t share a meal with you, or stay in one place too long ...”

He sighed as a single, fat tear rolled down her cheek. “Sky Blue ... Dammit, you mean more to me than anything on this earth. I don’t want to hurt you.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. I want to be with you always, but without the potion ...” He shook his head.

“We’re together now.”

“Darlin’, I don’t know how long I can trust myself to stay here with you, be close to you, and not ...” He shook his head. “Dammit, I just don’t know.”

“I’m not afraid of you. I’m only afraid of living without you.”

“I’ll stay with you as long as I can.”

“Then why can’t we get married?”

“What if I start to lose control? What if I have to leave to keep you safe?”

“That could happen now.” She took a deep breath. “You could ... you could make me what you are.”

“No!” He sprang to his feet, his expression grim.

“Why not?” Lord, was she out of her mind? What was she saying? She didn’t want to be a vampire. But she didn’t want to lose Kaiden, either. “Is it so bad, being what you are?”

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “It isn’t something I would have chosen.”

“Have you ever made another vampire?”

“No.”

She took a deep breath. She knew what she wanted, and she wanted Kaiden. “I want to belong to you. Unless you don’t want me.”

“Didn’t I just say I loved you?”

“Actions speak louder than words. I won’t ask you again, Kaiden.”

He shook his head, charmed by her stubbornness. “All right, Sky Blue, if you’re sure that’s what you want.” Dropping down on one knee in front of her, he took her right hand in his. “Skylynn McNamara, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Chapter 32

With a joyful “What do you think?” Skylynn threw herself at Kaiden, toppling him over backward. Straddling his hips, she leaned forward to kiss him, then exclaimed, “I can’t wait to tell Sam. And Tara.”

“Just like a woman,” Thorne said with a smile.

She drew back a little so she could see his face. “I’ve always wanted to get married in a long white dress in a church... . That won’t be a problem for you, will it? The church, I mean?”

“No.”

“Good.” She sighed wistfully. “I wish Granda was here to give me away.”

He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I doubt if he’d be too thrilled at your choice of a husband.”

“Why do you say that?” she exclaimed. “He liked you. A lot.”

“Not enough to marry his granddaughter.”

She didn’t want to talk about that. “It’ll be a small wedding. I don’t have a lot of people to invite. Just Sam and Tara and maybe a few of my friends from back East, if they want to make the trip.” She had a lot of acquaintances in Chicago but no really close friends other than Tara. “And anyone you want to invite, of course.”

“There won’t be anyone on my side of the church.”

“You won’t mind, will you, if we don’t have a big, splashy affair?”

“Whatever you want is fine with me.” He stroked her cheek. “I won’t see anyone but you.”

“You really do say the nicest things. Are all vampires as sweet as you are?”

“You think I’m sweet?” He almost choked on the word. He had been called a lot of things in his time, but sweet wasn’t one of them.

She raised up on her elbows. “Should I get up? Am I hurting you?”

He lifted one brow. “What do you think?”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Yeah, yeah, I know, you’re a big strong vampire.”

“Want me to prove it?” he asked with a wicked leer.

“Not right now,” she replied primly. “It shouldn’t take long to arrange a small wedding.”

“What’s the hurry? Afraid I’ll change my mind?”

“Yes.”

“Sky, I’ve loved you in one way or another your whole life. Married or not, I will always be here to look after you. I’m not going anywhere. So take all the time you need.”