She fingers her charm bracelet, looking so content. I wonder if this is how she looks when she first awakens from slumber. The words are out of my mouth before I can stop myself. “Do you enjoy sunsets?” It is when darkness descends, my favorite time.
She takes off the blindfold, her brown eyes meeting mine, sending a jolt through me that makes me feel alive. “I love sunsets! Especially over the vineyard when the last rays of sun paint everything in a soft glow.”
“I paint.” I never share so much about myself. It is just that there is such a strong connection, and I keep finding things we both like. She likes the sun’s rays painting a glow, and I enjoy painting. We both love sunsets and beauty. Other than the fact that she is human, we match. Of course, that could be changed. No. You are stronger than that.
She props her chin on her hand, smiling at me. “Aren’t you multitalented? An expert winemaker and an artist.” A drop of red cherry juice rests on the corner of her mouth. My mind flashes to her as my vampire bride, a drop of blood lingering from her feeding on me. I would make her stronger, sharing my incredible powers as a vampire of eight hundred years.
“He sure is,” Neli says cheerfully, surprising me once again by her sudden appearance. Stella has me enthralled. “Boz, you should show her some of your paintings.”
My paintings are in my bedchamber, which Neli knows. She also knows I cannot allow Stella anywhere near my chamber of pleasure and seduction. That would be “game over,” to use a more modern term.
“I’d love that,” Stella says. “Maybe you could design the label for our new blend. Ooh, a sunset would be cool.”
“You must try the last blend.” I need to remove myself from her presence before I do something that cannot be undone.
“Close your eyes, Stella!” Neli says, taking a seat at the head of the table.
Stella complies.
I pour Stella the wine and hand it to her. Neli gestures for me to pour some for her. I ignore her, just as she has ignored my every command.
Stella’s eyes pop open. “This is it!”
Neli squeezes her arm. “We think so too.”
Stella lets out a happy laugh. “I’m getting better at this wine stuff if I’m in agreement with you two. We’ve got to enter this in the wine competition in New York.” She holds up a palm. “Sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m just so excited about what this could mean for Stellariva. It’s really, really good.”
The best competition is in France, but I keep that to myself. Neli tells me she has sent someone in our stead these past few years since we began entering, due to the fact she is bound to me and must remain by my side, which made travel quite difficult. Now that I am awake from my curse, we shall most definitely attend in person.
Neli smiles her especially evil smile. “Actually, I think a wine competition is a great way to build buzz and really put Stellariva on the map. Don’t you agree, Boz?”
Stella turns to me, hope shining in her big brown eyes.
“Of course, recognition can always help,” I say, careful not to commit to a competition.
Neli raises her hands over her head in a grand gesture. “We should think big!” She leans toward Stella. “How do you feel about France? We compete every year. You could join us.”
Join us?
Stella gasps and slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. She drops her hand. “Seriously?”
I freeze, unable to steal Stella’s obvious joy but also unable to agree to the competition.
“Seriously!” Neli exclaims, jumping from her seat and opening her arms to Stella.
Stella jumps up, and they hug and laugh together. I cannot be part of this. I will not allow myself to be so close to temptation for so long. The pull to her is too strong. Also, the risk of her discovering what I really am would be too great, considering how keenly aware she is of me. It’s as though our sensations are heightened in each other’s presence.
I stand, prepared to take my leave.
They break apart and turn to me. Neli shoots me an urgent look. Stella’s smile falls at my serious demeanor. “Are you not on board?”
“Of course he is,” Neli says. “He wants to help you out because he’s an honorable man. It’s a calling for him. Truly.”
Stella’s expression turns hopeful once more.
I am torn. What is more honorable—agreeing to France, which could help Stella immensely, or walking away for Stella’s own good? Both could help her in very different ways.
Likely noting my lack of enthusiasm, Stella looks down, her shoulders slumping. “It’s okay.”
An empty ache deep inside tells me what I must do. I cannot steal her joy or ruin her chance to save her vineyard.