Page 5 of A Vampire's Pain
“Aren’t you supposed to really catch me,” I said and held out my hands in front of us as if I was grabbing something.
He smiled devilishly and then surprised me as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me right up against his hard and warm body. I let out a gasp from the surprise because I hadn’t expected that, but I was even more surprised when I didn’t feel uncomfortable by his touch. No one had touched me in a long time like this, and this time I felt really good about it.
“Name,” he said, his voice turning darker and his eyes more heated. “Now.”
“And if I don’t say it?” I asked, my voice nothing but a whisper.
“I will get it out of you in one way or another, beautiful, so you might as well tell me,” he said.
I smiled a little and believed he had at least earned a name after chasing me through the garden.
“Valeri,” I said.
Chapter 3
-Gabriel-
A name had never been very special to me or sounded very special, but when the beautiful vampire in my arms spoke her name, it was like music to my ears. She had looked so sweet and lost when she appeared in the garden, but something sassy hid underneath all that sweetness, and I found myself loving it. Why? Maybe it was just the magic of the bond, or maybe no one had ever really challenged me like her. I found it very intriguing, and when I finally “earned” her name, it felt so fucking good, and it was so beautiful.
Valeri …
My wolf repeated it in our head, making it sound so good that I couldn’t help but smile. She returned it with a sweet little one, and we stood there for quite a long time, just looking at each other.
Let us take her with us! Let us show her whom she belongs to! Now! That dress would look even better on the floor!
Oh, my wolf was already planning all the ways we could have her and the quickest ways, but no, I didn’t want that. Not with her, or I did want her, of course, but I didn’t want to treat her like I had treated others. My mate deserved so much more.
“Eh, could you … release me now?” she asked so sweetly.
“I caught you.”
She chuckled a little.
“Doesn’t mean you get to keep me.”
“It does in my world,” I said.
“Us vampires do it a little differently.”
“Not a lot different. Everyone likes to keep what they catch,” I said and leaned even closer, so we were practically breathing the same air. “Especially when they look as delicious as you.”
I saw her cheeks grow redder, and she looked at me shocked before she turned her head away, yet I could see a small smile spread on her lips. Oh, my little mate was apparently not used to getting compliments like this.We would have to change that, I thought.
“Please, could you release me?” she asked politely, and even though I didn’t want to, I could feel she was starting to get a little uncomfortable.
After all, she was a vampire, and while they still had destined ones for them, their connection didn’t happen as fast. Vampires would know the scent of their mate and would be instantly attracted to them, but the deeper connection happened slower, and it took time for them to truly connect. It was different for wolves and hybrids. We connected instantly, so I knew I had to be patient with her. She backed away a few steps and then ran her hands down her dress, smoothing it out. It had gotten a little dirty from running in the garden, but she could wear a trash bag and I would still think she was the most beautiful woman on this earth.
“So, I think it is time you showed me back to the party,” she said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Why?” she asked, confused.
“Aren’t we having our own party right here?” I asked and took one step closer.
She didn’t move away, and that was good, but I could see she was watching me carefully.
“No,” she said.
