Sam shrugs. “But you sometimes forget your own wants and needs in favor of what you believe everyone else deserves.”
Thinking about how perfect and elegant Tilda is and how brawny and oafish I am, I can’t imagine such a creature would ever wish to bind herself to me forever. “It’s too soon to consider such things.”
“Perhaps.” There’s doubt in his voice, but he says no more on the subject.
Mari rejoins us a moment later. Her smile is all the approval I need. “Tilda is taking a shower, and then she’ll join us.”
My heart races at the thought of my vampire naked in my shower. “You showed her where her clothes are?”
“I did.” She picks up her coffee and pops it in the microwave on the counter for thirty seconds. “I’m glad we brought her some things in case she woke up, or she’d be in your tee shirts indefinitely.”
The idea of that appeals to me, but I keep that to myself. “Should I show her where the towels are?”
“We found everything she needs.” Mari looks as if she too wants to go help her sister. “She shooed me out, so I think she’s able to manage her own shower.”
Watching the bedroom door, I barely hear the conversation between Sam and Mari. It’s something about building a backyard structure.
With her hair wet and wrapped in her robe, Tilda steps out of the bedroom and walks the few steps into the kitchen. “I feel better.” She braids the end of her wet locks and ties the plait off with a black band. “You have a good shower, Max.”
“I’m glad you like it.” I want to pick her up, carry her back to my bedroom, and make sure she’s had enough blood. I don’t move from my seat and have to ease my grip on my coffee cup before it shatters.
Mari says, “There’s human blood in the refrigerator if you’re hungry, or I can go hunt for you. It will only take a few minutes out in these woods to find you a nice fat rabbit.”
A soft blush stands out against Tilda’s pale cheeks. “I’m well fed, Mari. Thank you. Perhaps we can go hunting together in a few days.”
“I would enjoy that.” Mari takes her cup and Sam’s and puts them in the sink. “We’re going home. I have students coming when school lets out. If you want me to move my lessons to our house while you recover, I can. Perhaps you can stay here a few more days?”
Mari and Tilda look at me.
I lock gazes with Tilda. “You are welcome here for as long as you want.” Forever is the word that I don’t say.
Sam, clearing his throat, pulls us out of our moment.
Tilda says, “I’ll be staying here until Max has had enough of me.”
A guffaw from Sam, and he stands. He takes Mari’s hand. “We’ll be around if you want company, but we won’t bother you again until you call.”
“But—” Mari has something to say, but Sam kisses her before she can get it out. “We’ll see you soon.”
“Thank you for everything.” Tilda walks them to the door as if this is her house.
I love that.
They wave goodbye, and she closes the door as Sam’s enormous truck turns and heads up the drive.
Alone again, we’re silent. It’s not awkward, but I worry that too much reticence sends the wrong message. “Are you hungry?”
While there is a hunger in her eyes as she looks at me, she shakes her head. “Your blood is delicious, Max, but I’m satiated in that way.”
My cock leaps, thinking there are other ways she needs satisfaction. This is about more than sex, and she needs to know that. “Can I show you something?”
“Alright.” She takes my hand, and I lead her to the door.
Chapter Eleven
TILDA
He loves me. How is it possible that this spectacular beast of a man loves me? My instincts tell me I’m not worthy of him. However, that’s Pierre talking. Those thoughts are the lies he told me when he changed me from what I was meant to be into what I am now. “Do you think you would have loved me if I were just a swan maiden?”
