Cally smiled against his neck. It was colder than the last time they’d traveled like this, and her coat was half-open, offering little protection. But she didn’t want to stop and fasten it.
“Tomorrow, she’s quitting her job. She can’t—”Hide from the Order… but that wasn’t something Cally could share, and she hated that necessity. “—help me with my magic, and keep a full-time occupation.”
“And what of you, and your job?”
“In truth, neither Eve nor I feel suited to the muggle world after learning of vampires.”
“What is this ‘muggle’?”
“You watched Buffy but not Harry Potter?” Antoine landed on a tall building, but Cally didn’t care enough to see which. The wind cut through her coat, and she shivered.
“I skipped that one. It had no vampires in it.” He pulled her closer. “You’re cold.”
“I’ll be fine until we get home.”
His grip shifted around her legs, tucking her into the crook of his arm, his hand sliding beneath her dress to rest against her ass. “Is that better?” he asked, as he resumed their journey with another leap.
“For what, distractions or warmth?”
He chuckled softly, and it was the first time she’d heard him make such a sound since he’d returned; a reassuring relief. “I was going for warmth, but if distractions will help, that could be arranged too.”
“Distract me later. I want to talk about Eve.”
“You worry for her future if she quits her job?”
“Exactly.”
“But she can help you with your magic, you say?”
“Yes. She has a text. It’s very old.”
“Remarkable. Where is it from, this text?”
“I’m not sure of its origins,” Cally demurred. “Some of it is in Gaeilge.” She felt like shit for lying to him—especially with where his palm currently rested.I have to tell him soon. But what will he do?Go after them, most likely. And that wasn’t an option.
“I remain skeptical,ma chérie. There are many such texts, but genuine ones are rare indeed. However, if it can aid you, I will lend all the assistance in my power.”
“Do you mind if Eve remains with us while she studies it?”
“We are bonded. The house is as much yours as mine, and she is your guest. She may stay as long as you both wish.”
“Thank you.”
“Are we done discussing your friend?” His hand slid over her rear, and his fingertips curled into the waistband of her panties.
“I’m suddenly hesitant to say yes, but… yes?”
Cally gasped as he ripped them from her, letting them flutter down to the buildings below. “Damn it. I liked that pair.”
“I will buy more, and rip those from you too.” His palm pressed warm against the bare skin of her ass. “You were right earlier: you are my prey. The thought has not faded with talk of jobs and magical texts.”
“This is a side of you I haven’t seen before.”
“Are you so sure,ma chérie?”
She recalled the first time they’d met in his house, when he’d helped himself to her blood, and realized her error. “Are you still my monster, Antoine?”
“More than before, I fear.” His tone was only half-teasing.
