A Fire in the Blood(82)
“Thank you,” Bailey murmured, sniffing back tears. “You saved my life, you know.”
“And you saved Andrei’s,” Tessa said, smiling. “So I guess we’re even.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
He was getting married. The thought burned through Katerina’s mind like acid. How dare he marry another when he was her husband!
Andrei had blocked her for days, but now that Tessa had returned home, it no longer mattered. She knew where to find him.
She had followed him for the last few days, careful to shield her presence, her thoughts. He could keep her out of his lair. Tessa’s threshold might protect her home, but neither walls nor a threshold could prevent Katerina from listening to their phone calls and conversations. She had had opportunities to kill the woman, but she was waiting for the perfect moment. And now it had arrived. All the players together in one place at the same time.
She threw back her head and laughed, filled with the sheer delight of what was to come.
He was getting married Friday afternoon. At four.
Or so he thought.
Chapter Thirty-Six
After work on Thursday, Tessa and Jilly went shopping for Tessa’s wedding dress. Andrei tagged along. He had spent the day in Tessa’s office, invisible much of the time. She was sure he had been bored to death, but she had appreciated his presence more than she could say. He was an exceptional man, she thought. Not many would be willing to play bodyguard all day and then sit in a bridal shop while their future bride tried on wedding gowns.
“Pick out something sexy,” he said, settling into a high-back chair covered in a pink-and-white stripe. He looked as out of place as a riverboat gambler at a prayer meeting.
“I’ll do my best,” Tessa said as she followed the saleslady into the dressing room.
“I’m Diane,” the woman said. “Who’s the bride?”
“That would be me,” Tessa said. “This is my friend Jileen, and I’m Tessa.”
“Pleased to meet you both. What are we looking for today?”
“Something pretty but not too fancy,” Tessa said.
“Something sexy,” Jilly reminded her with a leer.
“I’m sure we can find something suitable,” Diane assured them. “Were you looking for floor-length?”
Tessa shook her head. “No.”
“Jileen, why don’t you wait here while Tessa undresses,” the consultant suggested, indicating a padded chair outside the dressing room. “I’ll be back with several selections in a moment.”
* * *
Tessa stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room, staring at her reflection. The gown, of white silk and lace, was exquisite, simple yet elegant. The matching hat had a small silk flower on one side and a short veil.
“I look like a bride,” she murmured.
“Hey, girl,” Jilly called. “What are you doing in there? Do you need help?”
“No. Come in.” She twirled around when Jilly stepped into the room. “What do you think?”
“I love it!”
“Me too. Do you think Andrei will like it?”
“Oh, yeah. The groom asked for something sexy, remember?” Jilly said, waggling her eyebrows. “And that one says sexy with a capital S.”
* * *
“So, when do I get to see the dress?” Andrei asked. They had dropped Jilly off at her place on their way home. Bailey had left a note saying she was with Tristan, but would be home later. Now, they were sitting on the sofa in front of the fire, sharing a glass of wine.
“Not until tomorrow. Don’t you know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride’s dress before the wedding?”
“All right, Cinderella. Just don’t change your mind when the clock strikes twelve.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Maybe you’ll come to your senses before it’s too late,” he muttered.
“Andrei, what a thing to say!”
Setting the glass on the coffee table, he drew her into his arms. “I guess I still can’t believe you’re mine.”
“Well, I am, so get used to it.” She smiled up at him. “You haven’t kissed me in the last ten minutes. Don’t you think it’s time?”
He laughed softly as he cupped her face in his hands. “I will kiss you as often as you like.”
“After tomorrow we won’t have to stop at kisses.” She closed her eyes as his lips met hers. Excitement burned through her at the thought of being his wife, of being his in every way.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Katerina rose early Friday morning. Most vampires preferred the night, but she enjoyed watching the sun rise. It gave her a sense of power, of superiority, knowing she could greet the dawn when most others of her kind could not.