With Katerina’s threat fresh in his mind, Andrei went to check on Tessa. She was sleeping peacefully. Bending, he brushed a kiss across her cheek before releasing her from his spell. Then, needing to hold her, he toed off his boots, slid under the covers, and drew her close, her back to his front.
With a small sigh of contentment, she snuggled against him, her fanny tightly pressed against his groin.
It was torture of the sweetest kind.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tessa woke with a smile as she recalled the dream she’d had last night. A wonderful dream. In it, Andrei had made slow, sweet love to her, his voice husky with desire as he whispered love words in her ear, his hands masterful as he caressed her, arousing her to heights she had never imagined. And then he had slept beside her all night long. It had been so real, she could still feel the urgency of his kisses....
Turning her head, she stared at the pillow beside hers, her eyes widening when she noticed there was a slight indentation, as if someone had been there recently.
Had her dream been more than a dream?
Slipping out of bed, she showered and dressed, then went into the kitchen.
Bailey was at the stove, frying bacon.
“You’re going to spoil me,” Tessa remarked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Well, it’s the least I can do since I can’t pay for my room and board.”
Tessa pulled a loaf of bread from the cupboard. “You don’t owe me anything. Would you like some toast?”
“Yes, please.”
Someone had taught the girl manners, Tessa mused. And how to cook and clean. “What are you going to do today?” she asked as she popped four slices of bread into the toaster.
“I don’t know.” Bailey turned the bacon. “Is there anything I can do around here? Change the sheets? Wash the windows? Scrub the floors?” Earlier, she had picked up the tattered remnants of her nightgown and robe. Next time she shifted, she had to remember to undress first. She frowned, wondering why Andrei’s clothes shifted with him and hers didn’t.
“Did your foster parents expect you to do all that?” Tessa asked.
“All that and more.” Bailey cracked four eggs in a bowl, stirred them with a whisk. “Mow the yard. Wash the car. Take out the trash.” She dumped the eggs in a frying pan. “They never did anything.”
“Didn’t they give you any free time to spend with your friends?” Tessa buttered the toast, then put two slices on each of the saucers Bailey had taken from the cupboard.
“I didn’t really have any friends. I wasn’t allowed to stay after school or go out on dates or anything.” She dished up the bacon and eggs and carried both plates to the table.
“That’s terrible.” Tessa shook her head. “What are you going to do about school?”
“I don’t know. I can’t go back. They’ll find me if I do.”
That was probably true, Tessa thought. They ate in silence for several minutes. More than once, she caught Bailey watching her as if she wanted to say something but each time, the girl seemed to change her mind.
Tessa glanced at the clock. “I’ve got to get ready to go.”
“Are you sure you should?”
“What do you mean?”
Bailey’s gaze slid away from hers. “Last night . . .”
“Go on.”
“Andrei took me hunting.”
“Hunting? Whatever for?”
“Not people,” Bailey said with a lopsided grin. “He helped me shift and asked if I wanted to go out. And I did. And it was wonderful.” Her eyes sparkled with the memory. “It was only the second time I’ve shifted. The first time was scary, but this time . . . with Andrei, it was amazing.” Her smile faded. “That awful woman followed us.”
“Katerina?”
Bailey nodded. “She wanted Andrei to go away with her, but he refused. I think she means to hurt you. As soon as she was gone, we came right back here. He didn’t leave until early this morning.”
So, he had spent the night.
What else had he done? Maybe that dream hadn’t been a dream after all. But that was impossible. Surely she would know if it had been real.
“Thanks for telling me,” Tessa said, carrying her dish to the sink. “I’ll be careful. Luke and Jilly are coming by to drive me to work in a few minutes. You be careful too. Don’t open the door for anyone except Andrei.”
“He’s really hot, isn’t he?” Bailey murmured, a dreamy expression in her eyes.
Tessa shook her head. First an ancient vampire. Now a teenage shape-shifter. What next?
* * *
In her office, Tessa found it almost impossible to concentrate on the business at hand. Time and again, she found herself staring out the window, her thoughts chaotic. Andrei had spent the night in her bed. Katerina was a constant threat. Bailey seemed to be developing a crush on Andrei. But then, who could blame her? He was gorgeous and sexy as hell.