He opened his senses and invited her inside, letting her feel what he felt, hear what he was thinking as she aroused him. And then, in the blink of an eye, he turned the tables on her. She welcomed the weight of his body on hers, lifted her hips to receive him, all the while knowing his thoughts, his desires. It was an amazing experience, feeling his passion mingle with her own, the way he held back his own release until, crying his name, she shuddered with pleasure.
He rolled onto his side, his body still a part of hers as her body cooled and their breathing returned to normal.
He whispered that he loved her, and in his mind, she read his regret that the words were inadequate to express how much she meant to him, how desperately he needed her.
“I don’t need the words,” she murmured, kissing his cheek. “But it’s nice to know.”
Later, while Derek slept, Sheree bathed and dressed, then went in search of Mara. She found her in the castle’s great hall, playing chess with Logan. Since there was no sign of Edna and Pearl, Sheree assumed they were at rest somewhere below.
Mara glanced up when Sheree entered the room. The knowing look in her eyes made Sheree blush clear down to her toes.
“Is it time to go see your father?” Mara asked.
“If you don’t mind taking me.”
“Of course not.” Rising, she pointed a finger at Logan. “Don’t be moving any of those pieces while I’m gone.”
“Who, me?” He blinked up at her, his expression one of total innocence.
“We won’t be long.” Leaning down, Mara kissed her husband, then took Sheree’s hand. “Ready? Here we go.”
When they arrived at the hospital, they found her father dressed and ready to go home.
He smiled warmly when he saw her. “Hey, pumpkin!” he exclaimed, folding her in his arms. “You’re just in time to get me out of this place.”
“Where’s Mother?”
“Oh, she had a meeting with the mayor this morning. I was just about to call her. The doctor decided to let me go home a day early. This way we can surprise her.” He nodded at Mara, standing in the doorway. “Miss Blackwood, how nice to see you again.”
“Thank you. You’re looking much better.”
Just then, a nurse bustled into the room pushing a wheelchair. “All set, Mr. Westerbrooke?”
“Yes, indeed, Jeannie.” He settled himself in the chair. “Let’s go. Grab my suitcase, will you, pumpkin?”
“Sure, Dad.”
Sheree and Mara trailed her father and the nurse into the elevator and down to the lobby.
“If you bring your car around to the front of the hospital, we’ll meet you there,” the nurse said.
Sheree glanced at Mara. They hadn’t come by car.
“I’ll get it,” Mara said. “Just give me a few minutes.”
Sheree smiled reassuringly at her father, even as she wondered what car Mara intended to get.
The vampire returned a few minutes later. Keeping her curiosity in check, Sheree followed Mara and her father out of the hospital, felt her eyes widen when Mara opened the passenger door of a late-model sedan.
After settling her father in the front seat and stowing his suitcase in the trunk, Sheree climbed into the backseat.
Mara engaged Brian in small talk on the short ride to the Westerbrooke house.
“I’m not sure I should go in,” Sheree said when Mara pulled into the driveway.
“Of course you’re coming in,” her father said.
“I’m sure Mother doesn’t want to see me right now any more than I want to see her.”
“Sheree, that’s not true!”
“Yes, it is. She’s never going to forgive me for marrying Derek.”
Brian sighed. “Just give her some time,” he urged, getting out of the car.
Sheree joined him on the sidewalk, waited while he got his suitcase out of the trunk. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, Dad. I’ll call you when I can.”
“I love you, pumpkin.”
“I love you, too. Take care of yourself.”
“You, too.”
Blinking back her tears, Sheree slid into the front seat. She waved at her dad as Mara pulled away from the curb.
“I take it your mother’s not happy with your choice of a mate,” Mara remarked.
“No. She had a husband and a life all picked out for me.”
“Well, at least she didn’t abandon you in an alley when you were a child.”
“Is that what happened to you?”
“It was a long time ago,” Mara said. “And yet it still stings.”
“I’m sorry,” Sheree murmured, though it seemed odd to offer sympathy for something that had happened so long ago. She was curious to know how Mara had survived. Surely someone had adopted her.