All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire(64)

 

He chuckled. "Everyone is staying here for their death-sleep. There are a few bedrooms here in the cellar, all with surveillance cameras. Howard's in the MacKay office, watching over us."

 

Toni glanced up at the camera in the corner. The red light indicated it was turned on.

 

"There's a second office for day security," Ian continued. "They watch over the mortal employees and guard the building. I hear it's verra busy upstairs during the day. Lots of mortals making synthetic blood, bottling it, and shipping it to hospitals and blood banks."

 

"You're not worried one of the mortal employees will stumble onto a Vamp in his death-sleep?"

 

"The mortals are no' allowed in the basement. Ye need a special key card to make the elevator come here or access the stairway. I left one on the table for you here."

 

"Did I miss anything while I was sleeping?"

 

He shrugged on shoulder. "The townhouse was invaded."

 

"What?" She sat up. "The Malcontents were there?"

 

"Aye. Phineas killed one. He was verra proud of himself. Jedrek tried to teleport away with me, but I slashed his arm to get free."

 

"Good grief," Toni whispered. This was awful. "Are you okay?"

 

"Aye." Ian finished his bottle and rinsed it out in the kitchen sink. "We expect they'll try something tonight, so ye should get more rest while ye can."

 

"Okay. I'll just go to the bathroom first." She padded to the bathroom. Once she was done, she shut the door behind her and let her eyes adjust to the red-tinted darkness. Ian was no longer in the kitchen.

 

She moved toward the bed and halted. There he was, on the far side, lying on top of the covers, wearing his kilt, a white T-shirt, and his knee socks.

 

"What are you doing?" She glanced around the room. There was only one bed. Maybe if she pushed the easy chairs together, she could manage—

 

"I willna molest you, lass. Verra soon, I'll no' be able to move." He clasped his hands together over his stomach and studied the ceiling. "Though I hope ye willna have yer way with me while I'm unable to defend myself."

 

She snorted. "Right. Because there's something so irresistible about a corpse."

 

His mouth curled into a half smile as he looked at her. "If it bothers you to sleep next to me, I can lie on the floor. Once I'm dead, I'll hardly know the difference."

 

"I've dated a few guys with the same level of sensitivity," she muttered while she debated whether to climb back into bed.

 

He yawned and closed his eyes. "I'll be gone soon."

 

She sat on the edge of the bed. "Does it hurt?"

 

"To know there's a beautiful woman lying next to me, and I'll no' be able to touch her?" His eyes opened and glimmered with humor. "It's a living torture. But no' for long."

 

She scoffed. "I meant does it hurt every morning when you die?"

 

He lay there, his gaze roaming over her slowly, lingering here and there as if he were memorizing every tiny detail. Her skin tingled, responding to his gaze. Just when she thought he wouldn't answer, he spoke softly.

 

"It's like slipping into a black hole, so black and deep there is no light, no feelings, no thoughts." He blinked slowly, the twinkle in his eyes fading. "I wish I could dream."

 

"What would a vampire dream about? Big vats of blood? A shiny, new coffin with leather upholstery?"

 

"Nay. I would have a lovely dream." A hint of a smile played on his lips as his eyes drifted shut. "About you." His face went lax.

 

Me? Toni's heart raced. He would dream of her? She leaned close to study him. "Are you dead yet?"

 

He didn't answer. He just lay there, the most gorgeous man she'd ever known. Her gaze settled on the dimple in his chin. She'd wanted to touch it the other day. She'd reached for it, but had lost her nerve.

 

She would have the nerve now. But not the opportunity. She glanced up at the surveillance camera. It wouldn't do for Howard to see her touching Ian's face.

 

She slipped under the covers and lay on her back beside him. God help her, she wanted to snuggle up to a dead body. This was wrong on so many levels.

 

She rolled over, putting her back to him. So wrong. And yet, it was starting to feel so right.

 

Thank God there was a different receptionist working at Shady Oaks Sunday evening. Toni had worried about Doris being there and recognizing her from her sex addict routine. She tried to look a little different by wearing her glasses instead of contacts and pulling a knit cap down low to cover her blonde hair.

 

Carlos had picked her up at Romatech. The sun had still been up, and all the Vamps still dead. Howard had assured her everything was under control, so she was free to go. Still, she felt that uneasy sensation of being pulled in two different directions. Ian had thought the Malcontents would attack again. She hated not being there to help.