“Shit!” I shouted when one such tiny shard ricocheted off the floor and into my leg.

  In a flash, Sebastian was off the couch and in the kitchen, flipping the light on, momentarily blinding me. “Are you okay?” He stepped over the glass and lifted me into his arms. I inhaled sharply, not expecting his sudden contact and nodded. Settling me on the counter he went about finding the broom.

  Stiffening, Sebastian turned back around, his eyes narrowing, landing on the blood that spilled from my leg. “You’re hurt.” He set the broom down and examined my tiny injury.

  “It’s fine.” I waved him off. “What are you doing here?” I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I had gone to my room with Jade there and expected her to still be there.

  “Jade had a date. She asked me to take over babysitting.”

  “Wow,” I grunted feeling like a burden on everyone around me.

  Sebastian frowned. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Sure,” I hissed as Sebastian pulled the shard of glass from my leg. I began bleeding more profusely than I expected.

  Sebastian leaned in; his mouth covered the incision. I couldn’t control the moan that escaped my mouth when his tongue brushed over my skin. It wasn’t meant to be sexual. He wasn’t even feeding from me. He was using his tongue to close the wound. But it didn’t stop my vampire nature from reacting.

  “The poison?” I breathed when he pulled back.

  “Doesn’t affect me.” He gazed over my injury and it seemed to have stopped bleeding. “What are you doing out of bed?” He grabbed the broom, putting his back to me.

  “Couldn’t sleep.” I shifted uncomfortably on the counter.

  “The baby?” he asked cleaning up the broken glass.

  “A thousand pillows and still nothing works.”

  Sebastian sighed, “Come on.” He moved to lift me but I tensed. “Do you want to risk a piece of glass in your foot?”

  I relented, wrapping my arms around his neck. Carrying me over to the couch he set me down in the middle, but I tried to shift to the end putting space between us. I hated to admit it but I was struggling to remain demure.

  “If you’re uncomfortable with me I can sit on the floor.”

  “Of course not. It’s fine,” I stated. He shook his head at my obvious lie, but sat down on the cushion next to me then grabbed my feet. “What are you doing?” I asked tensing.

  “You’re pregnant, Gaby. Act like it.” He made me turn until my feet were propped up on his leg.

  “What does this have to do with me being pregnant?” I wondered when his thumb began pressing into my instep. My eyes fluttered closed enjoying his touch, and not just the angelic bond. I hadn’t realized how much my feet ached until he began massaging them.

  “You need to keep your feet up to prevent swelling.”

  “Well aren’t you just the encyclopedia for expecting parents. Any particular reason?” When I saw his jaw tick my curiosity piqued. “Have you done this before?” I was surprised by the twinge of jealousy I felt.

  He shook his head but continued massaging my feet. “Not in the way you’re thinking.”

  He didn’t explain further and I didn’t press it. There under the soft light of the TV and the gentle pressure of Sebastian’s fingers, I drifted off to sleep.

  I woke to the gentle sound of a steady vibration pattern. I reached onto my nightstand and grabbed my phone.

  “Hello?” I whispered.

  “Hey, baby,” Grayson replied. “Did I wake you?”

  “It’s okay,” I answered. “I had a hard time sleeping last night.”

  “Jade keep you up all night?”

  I shook my head even though he couldn’t see it. “No, I couldn’t get comfortable. I think the baby likes having you in the bed.”

  “Gaby…” he groaned. “I already want to come home. You don’t have to sell me on it.”

  I giggled. I was just about to speak when there was a soft knock at my bedroom door. Without waiting for a reply, it cracked open just a hair. “Hey I heard you up and thought I’d let you know that I made breakfast.”

  My eyes widened. I thought I had dreamt Sebastian’s middle of the night visit. “Sure. Thanks,” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my tone. He didn’t say anything else. He simply nodded and closed the door. The room was quiet and I almost forgot I was on the phone with Grayson.

  “Gaby? Was that Sebastian I just heard?”

  “Um, yes?” I winced not knowing what to say but preparing for Grayson to react.

  “Why?” He wasn’t angry, but his voice held an edge to it. It sounded like he could become angry depending on my answer.

  “Jade had him come over after I went to sleep. She had plans.”

  “Did you know about this? Were you keeping it from me?”

  I resented his accusation that I would knowingly withhold that from him. “Of course not,” I spat. “I got up to get a drink and he was here. I asked him why and he told me. End of story.” After the last word slipped past my lips, I hissed a sharp breath feeling the pain in my ribs.

  “I’m sorry,” Grayson continued and I realized he hadn’t heard it. “I’m glad he’s there to make sure your safe. I knew that Jade wouldn’t be the only one watching you while I’m gone.”

  “I can always go to the compound or the nest if it’s easier for you.” My words sounded pained, but I think he believed it was more hurt feelings than my injury flaring.

  “No. You should be able to stay where you’re comfortable.” He let out a long breath. “I’ll let you go. Go grab breakfast. I just wanted to say good morning and… I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I whispered just before he disconnected. When the call ended, I groaned, feeling the sharp agony hit my rib. “Sebastian!” I yelled, lifting my shirt to try and see if the marks were there. I was writhing in the sheets when Sebastian busted through the door. He rushed to my side, his eyes darting to the mark on my rib.

  “I got you,” he mumbled lifting me from the bed. I wrapped my legs and arms around him like a monkey clinging to him. He carried me from the bedroom, into the kitchen and set me on a barstool. The scent of breakfast floated around me, but all I could think of was making the pain stop. Sebastian shuffled out of his shirt. Leaning towards me, his palms braced himself on the counter readying for me to strike. Threading my fingers in his blonde hair, I adjusted the angle of his neck and bit. Euphoric was how I felt the instant his blood touched my tongue. I felt his hand on my ass lifting me. My body molded to him. The pain was momentarily forgotten replaced by the pleasure I had from his blood. Moaning, I pressed myself tighter to him leaving no space between us.

  When I released him, I was no longer on the stool, but was pressed against the wall with Sebastian’s body pinning me there. I leaned back until my gaze met Sebastian’s gaze. His green eyes were dark with need and lust. They fell to my lips. It was in that moment I realized the compromising position I was in. It was the first time we hadn’t had anyone spotting us.

  Sebastian’s thumb slowly swiped across my swollen lips. When he pulled it away I saw it was tinged with blood. Without thinking, I grabbed it and pulled it to my mouth sucking away the blood writhing against his body. His eyes fluttered closed. If his erection was any clue, he was turned on. When they opened, I released his thumb and he lowered my feet to the floor. I hated that I felt disappointed, but I knew it was the right thing.

  “Breakfast?” He asked clearing his throat. I nodded, swallowing hard past the lump in my throat before following him back into the kitchen. I was grateful his back was to me, as I needed a moment to catch my breath. My heart was still racing and seeing Sebastian shirtless wasn’t helping.

  Grayson

  I dismissed Jade when I returned home Sunday morning. I wanted to surprise Gaby. I wasn’t supposed to arrive until the evening. I longed to say something to Jade about calling in Sebastian, but I knew it was petty. Gaby was protected and that was all that mattered. I kicked off my shoes and shrugged off my jacket before crawling in bed with her, which was a task with all the pillows she had in there. I loved watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful without all the problems and worry that plagued her when she was awake. My wife took the world on her shoulders whether it was her burden or not.

  I saw her hand resting gently on her expanding stomach. In the three days I’d been gone, I think she grew some, not that I would mention that to her. She was sensitive about her growing girth.

  “Gaby, wake up. I have a surprise for you,” I whispered feathering kisses against her face. She squirmed then her lashes fluttered open.

  “You’re back?” she smiled sleepily.

  I nodded. “I wanted to surprise you,” I kissed her lips. I chuckled when she pulled me in deeper. Her arms wrapped around my neck and my hand began roaming her body. It had been three days after all and with Jade in the next room, headphones or not, Gaby didn’t feel comfortable with phone sex.

  “Wait,” I pulled back. “I know where this is going and as much as I want to make love to my wife, I do have a surprise for you,” I groaned as she began unbuttoning my shirt.

  “I thought you were my surprise?” She asked running her tongue over my neck. I released a frustrated sigh, but shook my head. Reaching into my pocket, I withdrew a key. “What’s this?” She asked finally stopping her assault, which I was grateful for. I could only say “no” so much.

  “It’s the key to our apartment.”

  She looked at me befuddled. “Am I having déjà vu here or is this last year? You already gave me a key to our apartment.”

  “This is a key to our new apartment.”

  Her eyes widened in shock. “Our what?”

  I nodded with a raise of my brow. “I wanted a place that was entirely our own, where no old memories could haunt our happiness.”

  I had had other relationships before Gaby. Other women had been in this apartment that I shared with my wife. I had also killed a man here. This was not the place I wanted to start a family. I needed somewhere new that wasn’t haunted by old memories.

  “Can we go see it now?”

  I shook my head. “Not until we official move in.”

  “When’s that?”

  “Tomorrow.” She launched herself at me, shifting me onto my back. I chuckled at her forcefulness. If I had known this was the reaction that welcomed me, I might have given her the key a while ago. All laughter ceased when Gaby ripped her shirt over her head. I tugged her down until her lips were against mine.

  “I love you, Grayson,” she whispered against my mouth.

  “I love you more, Gaby.” My lips traced the contours over her neck and I enjoyed this moment with my wife forgetting about everything else.

  Jade arrived the next morning while Gaby and I were still sleeping. The sun was just rising when the bedroom door swung open bouncing off the wall.

  “Wake up sleepy heads. It’s moving day.” She leaned against the doorframe looking more annoyed than anything. I pulled the blanket up covering Gaby instinctively, but relaxed when I saw she had dressed in one of my old t-shirts. It did something to me seeing her in my clothes.

  “Jade!” Gaby exclaimed, “We could have been indecent.”

  “Don’t threaten me with a good time; and please, I’ve come to expect it with the two of you.”

  “Why in god’s name are you so chipper about helping us move?” I groaned throwing a pillow over my head, hoping it would buffer out the world a little longer. I had asked Jade for help to move some things. I’d actually asked Damien for help. Gaby was heading towards her third trimester in just a few weeks and I didn’t want her lifting anything. Jade had been there and volunteered. Why? I had no idea.

  “Because I only have two hours before I gotta be somewhere. So let’s go.” She announced before storming out of the room.

  Gaby rolled over nudging me with a fist to the shoulder. “What?” I grumbled, my voice laced with sleep.

  “What the hell does she mean? We can’t move everything in two hours.”

  I lifted the pillow off my head and stared at my beautiful wife. “I told you baby,” I shrugged, “all new memories.”

  Jade left us alone until after we were dressed. When we emerged she sat poised on the couch.

  “What are you all taking?” She asked looking bored.

  “Just stuff in the bedroom,” I pointed over my shoulder. I watched as the two women walked back down the hall into the room.

  “He really didn’t tell you about all the new furniture?” Jade asked Gaby, who responded with a shake of her head. “It’s not like it’s hurting his pocket I guess.” Gaby tensed. It was something she constantly had to deal with. People were always making comments about my money. Yes I had more than I needed and people tended to frown when they thought I was spending it frivolously. This didn’t seem frivolous to me. Starting fresh was important to me. I donated more than most in my situation, but no one ever seemed to care about the humanitarian I was.

  Gaby seemed distracted when Jade opened a certain drawer.

  “Not that one!” I shouted too late.

  Jade’s face widened in surprise then turned mischievous. “Uh…Gaby…” She pulled out one of the toys we had barely used, pinching it lightly between two fingers. “You’re a kinky little freak.” Like lightning, Gaby grabbed the toy and threw it into the box. “So the drawer is going then?” Gaby’s cheeks reddened just as I walked in. “Grayson, you naughty boy, you. Turning sweet innocent Gaby into a kinky sex fiend.”

  A wicked grin spread across my face and I couldn’t control myself. “Who do you think suggested we make a drawer,” I stated. Gaby’s mouth fell open gapping at me. She couldn’t believe I threw her under the bus like that. I knew how Jade was and Gaby had already asked me not to instigate her.

  “Gabriella Carmichael!” Jade exclaimed. “If your father knew…”

  “Oh shut up, both of you.” She spoke up past the embarrassment that was trying to render her speechless. “I have a healthy sex life. So sue me.” She shoved Jade out of the way to empty the drawer herself. “You can go empty one of the other drawers over there.” She pointed across the room.

  “Oh come on Gaby…” Gaby held her hand up silencing Jade then pointed again across the room giving no room for debate.

  I chuckled. “And you,” she turned her glare to me. I couldn’t help but smirk at her hostility. She was gorgeous when angry. “If you want to get lucky tonight, I suggest you don’t provoke her.”

  I grinned. “Like you could turn me down,” I mumbled walking out of the room.

  “He’s right, you know, Gaby,” I heard Jade offer. “I think the only reason your panties didn’t combust at his mere presence was because I’m in the room, and I appreciate that.” I rolled my eyes before grabbing my own box to start packing.

  Once we were packed, Jade and I loaded all the boxes and bags into the back of the new SUV I’d bought to replace the one that had been totaled. I drove us since John was still on leave. Gaby was next to me and Jade sat in the back playing on her phone chewing on a piece of gum like a teenager.

  Once we arrived, I had Gaby remain in the car while Jade and I unloaded.

  “You’re doing a good thing for her, you know?” Jade stated as we sat down the last of it. I was surprised by her candor. Jade normally only spoke in a witty repartee that came off as condescending.

  “I know.”

  “Don’t let anyone make you feel bad over it.” I was stunned silent by her directness. Jade left when I went to retrieve Gaby from the car.

  “You ready, baby?” I grinned offering my hand to help her from the car.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  The ride up the elevator took longer than I wanted, feeling elated to show her the place. People were getting on and off as we rode our way up, but finally we made it to our floor. Grabbing her hands I led the way.

  “Close your eyes and no peaking, Gaby.” She rolled her eyes but did as I asked. The lock clicked with a turn of the key and the door opened with a whoosh. I leaned down and swept Gaby up into my arms like the bride she was.

  “What are you doing?” She gasped wrapping her arms around my neck.

  “It’s a new start? I’m doing it right.” I carried her over the threshold, we were met with no resistance, not that I expected any. The apartment was in our names and considering neither of us were human anymore it meant that vampires could enter as freely as humans could. Not the best situation for us, but it made this grand entrance convenient. It was something I was hoping to remedy for her safety. The less people who could enter, the better.

  I placed her securely on the ground. “Open.”

  Her eyes instinctively squinted as they adjusted to the light then amazement took over her expression. The entire room was lit up with natural light. Unlike our old apartment that only held one large accent window, this room appeared to be built entirely out of windows. She took a hesitant step, staring down at the light oak hardwood floors. We were standing in the living room, which was large enough that you could have fit our old living room in it twice. The ceiling rested on large white columns that ran along the center of the room. They were spaced out just enough to not take away from the room, only to add to it. Furniture was already added which didn’t stray far from the similar style of our old apartment. I had hired the same designer. I figured if Gaby wanted something different we could always change it, but I didn’t want to put any added stress on her by suggesting she design the entire place. A large chocolate leather sectional rested in the corner, but not against any of the walls. A rounded triangle coffee table sat in front of it. Accent chairs were arranged around set strategically to enhance the room.

  She walked over to the glass doors that sat in the far corner. Opening them, Gaby stepped out on to a large private patio area. It had glass railing that was high enough to keep you safe but still allowed you to overlook the city.