Demon Night
way it seems. And then there’s you, Charlie. I’ve never seen anyone fight so hard against what was weak and needy and natural to her; never seen anyone fight so hard to be where you’re at. Never seen anyone get shoved into becoming a vampire, and immediately try to make the best of it, even though it scared you so bad to become one. And what you do fight, you ain’t stubborn or stupid about—you don’t fight just for the sake of fighting.”
He eased back, his fingers caressing her cheeks as if to soothe, but her throat was so tight with emotion that she couldn’t speak. And his words had been coming in a rush, but now he slowed them.
“So you ain’t one of those strong women, Charlie; you’re something else. If I looked into your head—without knowing what you’ve made of yourself—I’d have thought your chances of surviving were slim to nothing. I’d have figured you’d just give up, because with no chance, that’s what I would do, and maybe hope for a miracle. But you didn’t wait for someone to offer a miracle; you kept playing the shit hand you dealt yourself, and you pulled a good life out of it. So I’m awful glad you needed me to protect you, and it brought me over that wall—because I reckon I’m a better man just for having known a woman like you.”
She stared at him, but still couldn’t get her throat to cooperate. Her gaze fell to his lips. What would she say? She didn’t know.
Concern drew a line between his brows. “You all right, Charlie?”
She pushed against his chest in frustration. No, she wasn’t all right . There was a lot wrong, a lot she couldn’t control—but she was wonderful, and she didn’t know if it could possibly get any better than this.
He swayed back when she pushed again. Not enough; it wouldn’t be enough until he was on his back and she was showing him exactly how wonderful everything was. He caught her hand, frowning. She formed an image of a kiss.
His smile rayed from the corners of his eyes. “Well, hell, Charlie—then why are you beating on me? I just can’t figure you—”
She leapt at him. His mouth was firm and warm; she closed her eyes and fell into him. She couldn’t see why he had such a difficult time figuring her out.
Loving him was the easiest thing she’d ever done.
CHAPTER 24
San Francisco was shining across the bay when Charlie asked, “Do you have to go to work right away?”
Ethan banked to the south, slowed the beat of his wings. “No. I ought to check in, make sure nothing’s come up—but I’ll stay with you through sunrise.”
She turned her face toward the city, but her hair was blowing back, allowing him to see the corner of her smile. Well, hell. If such a little thing would please her, he’d try to stay through sunrise every morning. It was a damn shame he’d had to go talk to Manny the night before; now that he’d had time to ponder the send-away Charlie had given him, he’d wager anything that she’d wanted him to stay then, too.
At least she’d know now to ask if she wanted it; he’d told her straight-out he’d provide anything she needed.
Hell, he wished that she’d ask him for more just so he could give it to her. But if it made her uncomfortable, threw her back to feeling like a leech, he could be content with the little she did allow him to provide.
Content. He drew in the scent of her hair: apples and desert stone. Content was a damned pale word for how powerfully he felt toward her. More likely, it only applied to a life without Charlie, and only in the sense that he’d never be content again. Never settled again—and always aching.
And that made her sound an awful lot like a salve, which would probably spook her right quick.
Colin and Savi were pulling out of the lot as they swooped down; Savi’s slim arm stuck out of the window in a wave before the car sped onto the street.
Ethan cleared his throat. “I ought to take you downtown to their club soon, let you get a feel for the community.”
“Do you dance?” Charlie’s grin exposed her fangs, and he realized with a tug to his chest that they were slightly crooked.
“Not much,” he said, and set her down near the entrance steps. “But I’d be willing to stand up for a few slow ones with you.”
“Then I’ll definitely be interested in going.” She paused. “Not that I’m not interested otherwise, because I’m curious about other vampires. But big crowds and lots of strangers…” She trailed off and shook
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