Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

about school,” she replied.
    “Sure,” Kevin answered, and flashed a gentle smile. “Come on in the living room when you are ready.” He picked up her hand and gave it a light squeeze, accompanied by another of his award-winning smiles.
    Kevin was glad Erica had given him a little heads up on their next discussion. It gave him a bit of time to think. He knew she wanted to return to class, and his biggest issue was her safety. Most of her classes they shared. Kevin had pulled a few favors to make this possible several months ago when he noticed bruises showing up on her body. The drug problem at the local college was still ongoing. He could still go undercover, and protect Erica at the same time. Erica only had two classes that would go uncovered. I wonder if I could talk Jennifer into covering the two classes, Kevin mused to himself. She would probably think it was a joke, as they had both attended Harvard numerous years ago. Still, he thought she would agree if he sweet-talked her a little. Besides, she and Erica seemed to be developing a friendship.
    A noise interrupted Kevin’s thoughts, and he watched Erica enter the living room in a silky, slinky nightshirt. Damn, she looked good. Then he recalled their conversation earlier today. Keep your eyes on her face, and not on those sexy legs. He sternly lectured himself.
    Erica sat down on the couch next to him. “Kevin, how do you feel about me returning to my classes starting tomorrow morning?” she asked.
    “I was just thinking about that,” Kevin replied. “We share most of your classes, so I could continue to be with you and be there as a protector. I don’t believe you would be in any unnecessary danger. The only problem would be the two classes we don’t share. I am thinking about asking Jennifer if she would cover those for me, that way you will have someone with you at all times. Would you agree to that?” Kevin gently inquired. He might secretly wish to keep her locked up tight in this house, where he knew she was the safest. However, he knew better. If he wanted any hope of a relationship with her in the future, he knew he would do well to remember the word “compromise.” This was just one area in his life that he was working on making improvements in. As a bachelor, and also the boss at the VCTF, he was accustomed to things being done his way.
    “Yes, that sounds reasonable,” she agreed amicably.
    “I will need to consult Jennifer regarding this, of course. However, you and I have the same class tomorrow morning. If you are up to it, I’ll take you.”
    Erica flashed Kevin a smile as she stood up to head to her bed. She suddenly had a busy day ahead of her tomorrow.
     
    * * * *
     
    Monday morning arrived, and Erica and Kevin were out the door by seven thirty, leaving for class. Instead of giving her the option to drive, he just steered her towards the passenger side of his car and helped her in. They arrived at the college a little early, which allowed Kevin the opportunity to do a quick brush through and ensure all was well.
    As they walked down the hallway, Kevin placed his hand protectively on the small of Erica’s back. Truth be told, it was more of a possessive move. He had pulled this same move numerous times over the past five days, and Erica had shown little resistance. It was the one move he knew was fairly safe that did not seem to spook her. He kept an eye on several girls, all acquaintances of Erica who shot her questioning looks as they continued down the hallway. She had missed both Thursday’s and Friday’s classes and Kevin assumed the questioning looks being thrown her way had more to do with him walking side by side with her. Certainly, it hadn’t slipped Kevin’s mind that she was still married, even though he had been overjoyed to see she had removed her wedding band before she had arrived at his house last week. Kevin’s possessive hand at the small of her back was merely making a silent but nevertheless a very real statement to any of the other single guys, who would eventually hear that Erica was in the middle of a divorce. That statement, of course, was that this hot-looking girl walking next to him was already spoken for. Period!
    Erica continued walking to class, oblivious to what was happening around her. Unfortunately, Kevin’s vampire hearing could hear the whispers going on behind them. The girls seemed to think she was cheating on her husband, and the guys were wondering what Kevin had done to