RONAN
ITALY, 1521
Idon’t recall falling asleep, nor do I recall starting a fire. But when I wake up, a few embers are still glowing in the hearth. The true heat isn’t coming from the fireplace, though. It’s coming from Cheryl in my arms. My heart, my soul, my everything. My arms are wrapped around her waist, and she’s tucked snugly against my chest. Here is where she belongs, and I can’t imagine any other reality for us. There has always been a connection between us, and now it’s enhanced by the bond between sire and made vampire.
I thought I was destined to spend eternity alone, and I was resigned to it. I loved Manu as a friend, and in a moment of weakness, I confused that with something more. But with Cheryl, there’s always been a pull, a force that made everything brighter. When I’m in her presence, the world fades away, because she’s the flame in the dark. Everything about her draws me in—her scent, which reminds me of the beauty of winter and the passion of fire, the sharpness of her mind, her unwavering loyalty to her brother, and her bravery in the face of the most impossible situations. My heart overflows with emotions toopowerful to describe. I pull her even tighter against my chest and kiss her shoulder.
“Hmm, what’s pressing against my butt?” she asks in a husky voice.
“My appreciation for your fine curves, darling.” I slide my hand down her stomach until I reach between her legs.
Cheryl pushes my hand away before I can play and sits up.
“What’s wrong?”
She looks over her shoulder. “Nothing is wrong. I just have to relieve myself.” Lithe as a cat, she jumps to her feet, then minces to the front door.
“You can’t go outside like that. It’s damn cold.”
“I’ll be quick.” She opens the door, and to my horror, sunlight streams through the opening.
“Cher, no!” I cry desperately, expecting her to turn to ashes before my eyes. The light doesn’t quite reach to where I am, but she’s completely in it.
She shuts the door again with a bang and turns around, wide-eyed. “For heaven’s sake. I didn’t know it was already morning.”
My heart is pounding so fast in my chest that I wouldn’t be surprised if it burst out. I get up and pull Cheryl to me and away from that damn door, hiding my face in the crook of her neck. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“I didn’t sense it was already morning. It’s my fault.”
“I’m okay, Ronan.”
“You didn’t get burned at all?” I lean back to inspect her body—what I should have done first.
“No, I didn’t feel a thing.” Her forehead crinkles. “Maybe it didn’t work. Maybe you didn’t turn me into a vampire.”
I shake my head. “Itdidwork. Iamyour sire—that I know without a shred of a doubt.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s… hard to explain. I feel you right here.” I press my hand against my chest. “I can sense your emotions.”
Her eyes widen. “You can’t read my mind, can you?”
“No, I don’t think so. But I can guess your thoughts by your mood.”
She steps back, hugging her middle. “I didn’t know that would happen. Do you have power over me too?”
I clench my jaw. I don’t like how this conversation is going. “In theory, yes. But I’d never impose my will on you. You have my word, Cher.”
She bites her lower lip, and that distracts me. I’m now thinking of how much I want to be the one doing that. Her gaze drops to my erection, and the change in her is immediate. She’s just as aroused as me. Her pulse quickens, but besides desire, I also sense mischief coming from her.
“Cher… what are you planning to do?”
She walks backward until she’s near the door. “Can’t you guess?”
“You’re not thinking of venturing outside, are you? We don’t know if it’s safe.”
