One Lucky Vampire(92)

“I’m sorry,” Nicole murmured.

“There is nothing to be sorry for. I was fortunate to have enjoyed the time with him that I did . . . and I like to think a part of him lives on in Stephano.”

Nicole nodded, but every time the woman called Jake Stephano, she felt a momentary confusion and disorientation. He just wasn’t Stephano to her. He was Jake.

“Anyway, the point is, I was young and mortal once too, nursing a broken heart, afraid to love again and risk yet another heartbreak . . . and I want to tell you, not as Steph—Jake’s mother,” she corrected herself gently with a smile for Nicole that suggested she’d read how the use of his proper name threw her off. “As a woman, not Jake’s mother, I want to tell you that this risk is well worth it.”

Elaine let her consider that briefly and then said, “But you need to know that the normal mortal courting rules do not apply with these men. You cannot judge your behavior or theirs by mortal standards. The passion comes hard and fast, as it is meant to. I think it is how the nanos bond you at first, or perhaps how they ensure you do not let your fears make you think your way out of the relationship. Like with cats in heat in nature, the nanos seem to do something similar with life mates, both mortal and immortal. Your hormones are no doubt going crazy. He is probably releasing pheromones at an accelerated pace that you can’t resist.”

Elaine patted Nicole’s hand and stared her in the eyes as she said solemnly, “You are not a “ho’.” Grinning then, she added, “Or if you are, than I guess I am too . . . along with every other female who has found themselves in this most enviable position.”

“Is it enviable?” Nicole asked quietly.

Elaine nodded solemnly. “It most certainly is. I have been with Roberto for fifty-some years and every day is as good or better than the one before. My first husband made me as happy as any mortal could, but the happiness I’ve experienced with Roberto surpasses that a hundredfold. And it will be the same for you and Jake.”

“You sound pretty certain about that,” Nicole said, wishing she could believe her.

“I am very certain. I have never yet met life mates who are not as happy as Roberto and myself. The nanos are never wrong,” she assured her and then squeezed her hand. “Believe me . . . if you allow your fears to convince you to pass this up, you will never again find the happiness you can have with my son.”

Nicole stared silently at Elaine Notte. She really wanted to believe her, because—Nicole cut off her own thought there, unwilling to finish it.

“Because you’re afraid you’re already half in love with my son,” Elaine finished for her and then smiled sympathetically and said, “You’re wrong.”

Nicole blinked in surprise at the words. “I am?”

Elaine nodded. “You’re not half in love with him, you just love him, plain and simple,” she assured her, and then added, “I can read your mind, dear. I can see that you think you may only be on the way to loving him, but I can also see the veils and subterfuge you have put in place to protect yourself from admitting that you do love him. The logic you’re using that claims it’s too soon. But it isn’t. You love the man you think Jake is, but are afraid he’s not that man and is presenting only what he thinks you want him to be. But he isn’t playing games. What you see is what you get with Jake and he is every bit the man he seems to you: smart, funny, brave, and considerate. You love the man this time, not the idea.”

Nicole let the words resound inside her head briefly, but then glanced toward the door as Jake returned to the room.

“The doctor is signing the release papers right now. We can take her home,” he announced with a smile. “I ran into Father and Neil on the way back and they’re off finding a wheelchair for her.”

“Do Dante and Tomasso know?” Elaine asked, standing up. “Or are they busy trying to eat the cafeteria out of food?”

“They know,” Jake said, his smiled fading before he added, “They went down to check the vehicles and be sure they haven’t been tampered with before we leave.”

Elaine nodded, apparently unsurprised, and then glanced to Nicole. “You don’t want to wear that hospital gown home. Where did they put your clothes, dear?”


“Do you want another pillow behind your back? Or maybe another blanket?”

“No,” Nicole said on a laugh. “Jake, I’m fine, really. Stop fussing.”

“You just got out of the hospital, Nicole. I’m supposed to fuss,” he said mildly, glancing around the bedroom.