A Fire in the Blood(80)
“I don’t even want to think about that. If it’s any consolation, Luke assures me there aren’t any other vampires in town.”
“Well, that’s good news. But there’s always tomorrow. And the day after that.”
Jilly sighed. “Are you coming to work tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll let you know.”
“All right. Talk to you later. Stay safe.”
Tessa spent the rest of the afternoon shopping online. Around two o’clock, she ordered a pepperoni pizza and a salad from the local pizza place. While eating, she decided if she was going to stay here from time to time, she should stock the cupboards with some canned goods—soup and tuna—stuff like that. Maybe some frozen lasagna and veggies.
When Andrei woke, she would ask him how he felt about buying a few appliances for his kitchen, like a stove and a toaster oven, and maybe a microwave. And some dishes. And silverware. And a toothbrush.
* * *
“Sure,” he said. “Whatever you want. We can go tonight if you like.”
“We can go another time. I need to go home tonight,” Tessa said. “I want to take a shower and wash my hair and get ready for work tomorrow.” She smacked her forehead with her hand. “And get in touch with Bailey. How could I have forgotten to call? I haven’t heard from her. Have you?”
“No.”
Suddenly worried, Tessa grabbed her phone and punched in the girl’s cell number.
Bailey answered on the third ring. “Hey, Tessa.”
She blew out a sigh of relief. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m with Tristan and the pack. I’ve been meaning to call you, but . . . Where are you?”
“I’m still at Andrei’s.”
“Oh, well, tell him hi for me. Guess what? We’re getting married, me and Tristan!”
“Married!” Tessa exclaimed.
“Well, not really married, at least not right now. We’re being life-mated.”
“I don’t care what you call it. You just met. And you’re only sixteen . . .”
“I know. But in the pack, you’re considered an adult at my age. And I’ll be seventeen in a few months.”
Knowing he could hear the conversation, Tessa stared at Andrei, one brow arched.
He shrugged. “I think it has to be her decision.”
“Will you be home tonight?” Tessa asked.
“Yes. I’ll see you then.”
“All right. Bye.” Tessa shook her head as she tossed the phone aside “Life-mated at sixteen. It just doesn’t seem right.”
“Different strokes for different folks,” Andrei said, grinning. “Are you ready to go?”
* * *
Andrei waited in the living room while Tessa showered. He glanced around, thinking how much his life had changed since they’d met. And how drastically he had changed hers.
And then there was Bailey. Had it been fate that had brought the girl into their lives?
Yes, his life had taken an interesting turn. In addition to a woman he loved and a teenage were-panther, he now had a hunter for a friend. He had sensed a change in Luke over the last few days. He was more sure of himself, more confident in his abilities, than he had been just weeks ago.
They were all changing, he mused. Growing closer together, stronger. It was odd to have friends after spending so much of his life alone, to feel at ease around Jilly and Luke and Bailey. To feel he could count on them if need be.
Katerina had also changed. Where he had grown stronger, she seemed to have lost not only some of her power, but her smug self-assurance as well.
He shook off his thoughts as Tessa entered the room. As always, she had a smile for him.
Her love seemed to flow across the room, its warmth enveloping him, filling the dark empty corners of his soul.
She frowned at him. “What?”
“I was just thinking how beautiful you are, and how much I love you.”
She smiled at him, her eyes sparkling as she went into his arms. “Are you as happy as I am?”
“More so, I’m sure.”
“Impossible.”
“No man has ever loved a woman as I love you.” His knuckles caressed her cheek. “Or waited as long to find happiness.”
“Andrei, what a sweet thing to say.”
“It’s true.” Lowering his head, he brushed his lips across hers. “How soon can I make you mine?”
She gazed up at him, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of giving herself to him. “My parents will be back on the twenty-third. They want me to come home for Christmas. Do you want to come with me?”
“Did you think I’d let you go alone while Katerina is still a threat?”
“Well, I thought I should ask. Anyway, we can discuss a date for the wedding while we’re there. I was thinking sometime in January.”