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“What have you got behind your back?” he asked, curious.
“You caught me!” She was clearly delighted that he’d noticed, and came to sit by the bed. From behind her, she brought forth a square tin and thrust it at him. “For you.”
“Me?” Taking the tin, he stared at it, then at Calla. “A present?”
“Yep. Go on; open it.”
“Nobody’s given me anything in ages.” Sad, but true. He didn’t think anyone even knew when his birthday was, except maybe Hammer.
Eagerly, he pried open the lid, and inhaled with sheer bliss. “Holy shit! You brought me cookies? Chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, my favorites.”
“I made them myself,” she said proudly, clearly happy that he liked his gift.
Snatching a fat chocolate chip one, he took a large bite and moaned in ecstasy. “Mmm. Only thing better than this is sex.”
“Very true. But the cookies will have to suffice, for now.” Her eyes sparkled with humor, and a lot of heat, if he wasn’t mistaken.
He almost choked on his cookie. His dick made a valiant effort to express just how very on board he was with the idea, but his body was still healing and not quite ready for acrobatics. He was glad, because the last thing he wanted was to embarrass himself in front of this woman.
Calla was special. A lady. He would treat her as no less.
“These are wonderful. Have one?”
“I already ate three before I came, but what the heck?” She took a snickerdoodle and joined him. After a moment, she said, “There’s another reason I came besides giving you cookies. Tarron’s having a party next weekend and I’m hoping you’ll come as my guest.”
He hesitated. “As your date?”
“If you like. Provided you’re healed.” She shrugged, but something about her tone said his answer meant something to her. “And only if you want to.”
“What kind of party is it?”
“Sort of a gathering of European acquaintances of my brother’s. A boring, rubbing-elbows and ego-stroking event guaranteed to drive me mad, unless I have company.”
“Vampire acquaintances?” he asked, trying to make his voice as casual as possible.
“Mostly.”
Absorbing the implications, he tried not to break into a cold sweat. Did he want to attend a party literally stuffed full of unknown vampires and try not to think about how fast he could become dinner? Not hardly. But Calla wanted him to come, and that alone made his heart pound in excitement.
“Tarron’s trying to shore up relations with the European vampires,” she went on. “He thinks we’re too vulnerable, in light of the recent problems with rogues and hunters.”
“Well, he’s got a point.”
“It would be so much more fun if you were there,” Calla went on. “Plus, you could benefit from these contacts as well. And maybe if you’re there, Tarron won’t— Never mind. What was I thinking? Of course you don’t want to hang around with my kind after what happened. I’m sorry. I’ll just go.”
Struggling to cover her upset, she started to rise, and he caught her wrist. “Wait. If I’m there, maybe Tarron won’t do what?”
“Nothing. Forget I mentioned it.”
Damn. Now she’s clammed up. Probably thinks you don’t want to spend time with her. Great job, dumbass.
“I’d love to go,” he said softly.
Her eyes met his and the pain there vanished. “Really?”
“Yes. But a few of my men will accompany me, if that’s all right.”
“Of course. No leader attends a party full of other powerful leaders without some backup.” She smiled. “I’m glad you’re coming.”
