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

year. I was sorry I had to give it back!” Jennifer replied, while playfully jutting out her bottom lip in a pout.
    Kevin walked around to the passenger side and sat down in the front seat. “Come on, Erica, sit down in the driver’s seat and check it out!” he called from inside the car. Erica walked over and gingerly sat down in the seat as if she was afraid it was going to break. As soon as she was seated, Kevin reached over, catching her chin with a hooked finger.
    “This is a gift from me to you. No strings attached. I feel better knowing you have some speed under you, should you need it. Besides, I agree with Jennifer, you do look hot sitting over there in that driver’s seat.” With his finger still under her chin, he had access to her mind, as he kept an air of calmness and happiness swirling around her.
    And, as he should have known, she fought against it. “It’s too much, Kevin. I can’t possibly accept such an expensive gift,” she stated, all the while trying to figure out where this almost absurd feeling of happiness was coming from. She couldn’t help herself as she reverently touched the leather seats. Kevin sat watching her for a moment and knew the second she gave in to his efforts. He grinned. She was hooked.
    “Yes, you can. Consider it a friendship gift,” he answered her, shrugging his shoulders slightly as if it were no big deal.
    Even with the calmness and happiness swirling around her, Erica’s temper still stirred as she watched him shrug off buying her a brand new sports car.
    “Who in the hell gives a brand new sports car as a gift to a friend?” she muttered at him. This was just over the top, way, way over the top, as far as she was concerned. And she only thought what he had done when she took a trip to the mall had been overboard. That had been a drop in the bucket in comparison to this.
    “I do,” Kevin calmly replied, again as if it was no big deal. Inside, he was expending huge amounts of energy fighting to keep calmness surrounding her.
    She sighed, the car was beautiful, and when Kevin was giving her “that look.” How could she fight him?
    “Okay, I admit, I do love it, but we need to discuss this. Right now, I am running late.” She glanced down to her watch. “I’ll be lucky if I make it on time now! Can we discuss this matter later this afternoon?” She had no intention of letting him off the hook just yet, but a quick trip to school and back couldn’t possibly hurt anything, would it? Besides, this was the first time she had ever had a chance to even sit in a luxurious sports car, let alone drive one!
    Kevin gave her his smile that melted her heart and turned her stomach into butterflies. He had the most gorgeous, sexy smile a man could possibly have. Erica wondered briefly if it had anything to do with being a vampire, or if he had been born with that gifted trait.
    “That is fine, love,” Kevin replied, gently running the back of his fingers slowly down her cheek. “I look forward to discussing anything, anytime you want.” Special emphasis was placed on “anything” and “anytime.” Yeah, Erica could just imagine what was running through his brain. Their faces were a mere inch apart, and Erica’s stomach turned into a quivering mass of jelly as she looked into his eyes.
    “Thank you,” she breathed, as she closed her eyes. That was the least she could do. It wasn’t every day that someone handed her keys to a new sports car. She leaned her head back against the seat, finally giving in to the swirl of emotions taking over her body. Definitely lacking in sleep, she gave up the fight, allowing the emotions of love, protection, safety, happiness and contentment to consume her. A gentle smile played on her lips, as she released a contented sigh.
    Kevin watched the mirage of emotions skitter across her face, briefly wondering how much more he was going to be able to stand before losing all control. He fought the urge to snatch her up, kissing her until she was breathless. He knew it was too soon, but his beast was in no mood to listen. It wanted her here, now, underneath him until she was screaming his name over and over. Kevin took a calming breath . Baby steps, boy. If you scare her, you will pay the cost dearly!
    “I should be thanking you,” Kevin breathed in return after a long moment of sternly reminding himself to slow down. “Thank you for coming into my life. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you.” He took the one