Rachel Lee: Claimed by the Immortal

Yet it was. Entirely one body, one heart, one mind, they rose to dizzying heights, and when culmination came, they exploded at the same time.

Together they hovered at the pinnacle of completion, awash in a tide of feelings and sensations that didn’t end.

Love for eternity.

A week later they had a condo in a building across town. A vampire named Creed Preston and his wife, Yvonne, helped them find it, and Creed helped them make a room that was safe for Damien during the daylight.

Caro was surprised, but apparently money was no object for Damien, so they bought the penthouse, and the work to fix it for him was completed rapidly. They held a small housewarming party, though they hadn’t finished decorating yet, and even Detective Pat Matthews came.

It was night—the city lights glowed beyond walls of windows. Pat drew her aside.

“You look damn happy,” she said.

“I am,” Caro admitted. “Happier than I ever imagined I’d be.”

“Good. Got yourself a bit of a weirdo there, but I like him.”

Caro smothered a smile. “He’s good to me.”

“Only thing that counts,” Pat agreed. “Malloy sent a message, by the way.”

“And?”

“Get your butt back tomorrow or the next day. All is forgiven. Apparently those additional murders made him reconsider your sanity.”

Caro laughed. “Really.”

“Really. A lot that’s weird is going on. He just asked you to please not mention it.”

“I won’t. I promise.” There was no need now.

“And that request you made to help those folks find homes?”

“Yes?”

“We’ve started working on it but it would be nice if I didn’t have to run your program. So come back soon, will you? And make sure I get a wedding invite.”

“I promise.” She watched Pat drift away to talk with Jude and Terri, then felt familiar arms close around her from behind.

“Are you pleased, Schatz? ”

She turned within the circle of his arms and looked up at the vampire she loved more than life. “I’m very pleased. And one of these days...”

He laid his finger over her lips. “Don’t ask yet, meine Liebe. Not yet. The day will come when we’ll have to consider changing you, but not yet. Please. Let me enjoy you just as you are.”

“Okay,” she agreed.

But deep inside she knew the question wouldn’t be shelved for long. There’d come a day when she would want to share his nights completely, to see them the way he did.

And when that day came, she had no doubt she would get her way.

“I love you,” she murmured and watched his eyes grow golden with pleasure.

She was forever claimed, and forever his.

* * * * *