However Lucien had to admit that she didn’t know male and female vampires were vastly different from her kind. Females were just as strong and skilled as males, many more so. For instance, Stephanie, who was known to be a fierce and cunning fighter.
He further had to admit there was no way for Leah to know the way of vampire mates. This would not even have been covered in Vampire Studies had she managed not to be expelled.
She had no way of knowing that, because of the matched strength and the way of their culture, vampires, especially mates, did not settle arguments by having heartfelt chats or seeking counseling.
They challenged then they battled physically with no rules and no holds barred.
This had the benefit of settling the order of vampires, who was strongest, quickest, sharpest and smartest.
In the case of mates, this had the additional benefit that, more often than not, physical duels led to something vastly more pleasurable.
He also had to admit that there was no way of Leah knowing his history with Katrina. Her frequent and misguided jealous rages. Her phone calls, sometimes a dozen a day. To check in, she said. To check up, she meant. Her constant suspicion, rifling through his things, listening into phone calls.
And then there were the times, infrequent though they were, they happened far too often for Lucien’s liking, when she would appear at A Feast that Lucien was attending. She’d done this twice. Then he’d had to break her of this habit which he’d done by more than bloodying her nose. He’d also broken her femur and five ribs, all of which healed within an hour and, obviously, it had not led to something more pleasurable. This happened after she’d entered his private chamber and appeared at his side when he was actually feeding. Suggesting, during those times, with false sensuality, that they share the mortal morsel. That such an activity would bring them closer together.
Katrina knew he didn’t like to share.
During these two times, she had also infiltrated his privacy, something he required even at A Feast. He meant it when he told Leah he “danced” privately. He didn’t simply not share the mortal on whom he was feeding, he didn’t share the experience. Therefore he always took a private room, leaving the group feeding to others. He disliked the idea of other mortals, or vampires for that matter, getting off on watching him with his meal.
And they would, he’d be the center of attention. He always was.
It wasn’t that he thought it was a private activity. He too enjoyed watching others feed. He also meant it when he told Leah he thought it was beautiful.
It was just his nature.
Even if for only one feeding, that mortal was his and his alone and, in any way the word could be defined, he didn’t share.
And lastly, Leah didn’t know what he was risking for her. To have her in every way meant he was challenging his culture, his people’s way of life and hers and putting his own life at risk.
Even though he had to admit all those things, the simple fact of the matter was, she hadn’t asked.
Not a single question.
She instantly thought the worst of him, judging him through the acceptable behaviors of her own culture, never considering there might be a difference in his.
Not only that, he had saved her from Katrina’s attack, which would have been deadly.
He had also, very blatantly, shown his preference for Leah over his own mate. This was not something she could know was completely unheard of in the vampire realm but any woman of his experience would have had a vastly different reaction to Leah’s.
Not to mention, with all of this, in addition to his clothes in her closet, his body in her bed, the rather luxurious roof over her head and opulent wardrobe he had provided her, he had made it abundantly clear she had his continued protection, his undivided attention and his profuse generosity.
None of which, considering her reaction, seemed to penetrate that obstinate fucking brain of hers.
It was high time, Lucien decided, that Leah learn these important lessons.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Cosmo said, appearing at his side, smiling at Lucien and taking him from his thoughts.
“I could say the same,” Lucien replied. “This isn’t normally your scene.”
Cosmo murmured, “Vodka, rocks,” to the bartender and turned his attention back to Lucien. “It isn’t yours either.” Then he looked around while asking, “Where’s Leah? Is she in the restroom?”
“She’s home,” Lucien answered and Cosmo’s head swung to him.
“Home?” he repeated.
“Home,” Lucien stated firmly. “She’s having some difficulty adjusting to her new life. I’m giving her space to sort herself out.”