Her eyes lit up with excitement − just as I’d anticipated. It was sad to think that she had never once had a vacation in her entire life. “I think we should skip our after party and just go straight on this trip.”

I laughed. “No, we’re going to enjoy the entire night and celebrate it in this bed afterwards. Then we’ll have a brief sleep and go. And then I won’t have to share you for six weeks.” I took that mouth like I owned it, because I did, and because I needed to know that she accepted that. As if she sensed that, she went pliant for me the way she only ever did when I kissed her neck.

Pulling back, she licked her bottom lip – which made me chase after that mouth. Chuckling, she placed a hand on my chest to stop me. “You need to go. Fletcher isn’t going to let me sleep until dusk. He’ll be too eager to get me up and start getting me ready, so I need what sleep I can get.”

I was about to say that my staying there wouldn’t stop her from sleeping, but of course it would, because I’d have trouble leaving her alone. Releasing a long-suffering sigh, I dragged myself out of bed and gathered my clothes.

“Where will you be getting ready for the ceremony?”

“My old apartment. My suit and the stuff I need are already there, waiting.” Ready to leave, I hesitated. “Call Dexter and let him lie in bed with you.”

“Why would I do that?”

“It’ll make me feel better.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”

“Just do it, you stubborn bitch.” Smiling at the irritation on her face, I quickly smacked a kiss on her lips and teleported out of there – I wasn’t stupid.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

(Sam)

I’d had absolutely no idea about the pre-nuptial rituals for Binding ceremonies until Fletcher turned up at my apartment with half a dozen female Kejas. First I’d been covered in exotic-smelling oils and massaged from head to toe. Then there had been a spicy wrap, which I hadn’t been very fond of. Thirdly there had been a milk bath, which I had to admit I’d quite liked. And then my hands and feet had been painted with a strange, glistening ink; the intricate knot and vine patterns perfectly complimented my Swarovski Manicure and Pedicure.

While waiting for the weird paint to dry – which hadn’t taken long – I sat very still as my hair was slightly curled and then put into some kind of elaborate hairdo, leaving tendrils hanging here and there. I wasn’t a very patient person, so I got kind of restless. At least I hadn’t had to continue to sit there as they applied make-up. If the natural allure that came with vampirism hadn’t cancelled out the need for it, my new Keja allure would have.

Following all that, I was helped into lacy, raunchy underwear that Fletcher had chosen. The bloke knew no boundaries! Lastly, my dress and shoes were carefully slipped on and fastened.

“Go on, have a look,” urged Fletcher, giving me a gentle shove toward the mirror.

Hesitant – I wasn’t sure why, maybe it was all the anticipation – I walked toward the mirror. My reflection startled the living shit out of me. It wasn’t that I didn’t look like me. I did. But I’d never really thought of myself as girly. Never been one of those kids who dressed up like a princess or played ‘weddings’. As such, I’d never seen myself look elegant and ‘voguish’ as Fletcher kept saying.

“I am a genius,” declared Fletcher.

“No humility in you, is there.”

“Radiant and elegant, but also sexy without being distasteful. Happy?”

“I will be when it’s time to go.”

“Then you’ll be delighted to hear that they’re ready when you are,” announced Norm as he entered. He smiled affectionately. “Oh look at you!”

“Gorgeous, isn’t she,” said Fletcher.

Norm kissed my cheek. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.” His eyes twinkled as he added, “Jared looks hot as hell, by the way.” That made me more eager to see him.

Fletcher offered me his arm. “Ready?”

Taking a deep breath, I threaded my arm through his and allowed him to lead me out of the bedroom. The female Kejas all showered me with compliments – all of which made me uncomfortable as I simply wasn’t used to them – and wished me good luck. I was going to need it if I had any hope of not tripping in these high-heeled shoes.

Somehow I managed to make it down the stairs without breaking my neck – that might have been a lot to do with having Fletcher on one side of me and Norm on the other. I got a bit of a shock when I stepped out of my apartment building to find all the residents of The Hollow gathered around, smiling. Although most of them wouldn’t be at the ceremony itself, they would be attending the after party.

Feeling awkward about all the attention, I merely waved and returned their smiles as I walked through the path between the hordes. When we finally made it through the front door of Antonio’s mansion, we found him and his guards waiting. Vampires didn’t do the whole ‘giving the bride away’ thing, but for him to escort me to Jared would be a symbol that he approved of, and blessed, the Binding. He gave me a fatherly smile. “Sam, you look—”

“Don’t do it. The compliments are making me uncomfortable.” He didn’t look surprised by my words. I kissed Fletcher on the cheek. “Thanks for everything, you camp sod.”

Fletcher laughed delightedly. “You’re welcome, luv. Now go make him faint.”

Winking at me, Norm followed Fletcher as they hurried down the hallway.

Antonio sighed, shaking his head. “You look almost as edgy as Jared. I will say to you what I have been saying to him for the past few hours. Relax. This is your Binding. Enjoy it.”

“All right Yoda, enough with the wise words; let’s do this.”

Arm in arm, we walked down the hallway and took a right turn when we reached the open doors that led to the bat pool. As we stepped out into the warm night, I gasped. A trail of pink and red rose petals, bordered with tiki torches, marked the walkway to the floral arch on the beach up ahead. Standing there with the Prelate − who was basically a vampire minister − was Jared looking striking, enticing, and absolutely edible in a white open-necked shirt and a tan linen suit.

On either side of the walkway, the guests rose from the chairs that had been adorned in white ruffled covers and aqua bows. All of the guests – even Moaning Marcia – smiled. I could hear all the whispered compliments even from here, and was glad when soft music began to play and drown them out.