Bittersweet Blood (The Order #1)

He stepped over the threshold.

“Just a minute.” Tara peered around the sitting room door as Smokey’s tail disappeared behind the sofa. She frowned. Smokey was normally a very friendly cat, at least with people. Could he sense Christian’s true nature? That made her wonder if vampires could drink animal blood. Ugh! She made a mental note to ask him.

When she turned back, he was watching her.

“You wait here,” she said. “I’ll show Chloe where the cat food and so on is. Then pack a bag. I’ll be back in a minute, okay?”

“No problem.”

She dragged Chloe into the kitchen and shut the door behind them.

“I distinctly remember you telling me he wasn’t gorgeous,” Chloe whispered. “Are you mad?”

“Probably.” She didn’t want to talk about Christian. “Right, he has two meals a day—”

“Who? Christian?”

“No Smokey, of course. It’s all in here.” She opened the freezer door. “He has chicken in the morning and beef in the evening. I cook it for him, and they’re all labeled. If you get the next meal out when you feed him, it should defrost, but don’t leave it anywhere he can get it. In the oven is best.”

“You’re not going to talk about the two of you, are you?”

“There is no two of us. Now, he can let himself in and out from the roof terrace, there’s a cat flap, but sometimes he gets stuck out the front and you have to let him in.” She glanced up to find Chloe frowning at her. “Are you paying attention?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Good. That’s all really, but if you have the time, I’m sure he’d appreciate a cuddle in the evenings.”

“And who will you be cuddling in the evenings?”

“No one, I told you, it’s just business.”

“He doesn’t look at you as if it’s just business.”

“How does he look at me?”

Chloe smiled. “Like he wants to eat you up.”

Was it just an unfortunate choice of words? She hoped so. “I’m really grateful, you know, and I’m sorry I bothered you so late.”

“I would have been seriously pissed if you hadn’t. I wouldn’t have missed meeting him for anything. Come on, I’ll help you pack your bag.”

Tara led her out of the kitchen. Christian was where they had left him by the door, but he lounged against the wall relaxed, arms folded across his broad chest. His eyes followed them as they crossed the hallway to Tara’s room but he didn’t speak.

“Don’t you just love the strong silent type?” Chloe asked with a giggle.

Tara ignored the comment. She dragged a small bag out of the wardrobe and put in some underwear, jeans, and jumpers. She placed her own flannel pajamas on the top.

Chloe picked them up and shot them a look of disgust. “Haven’t you got anything more appropriate?”

Tara snatched them from her and put them back in the case. “I’m going to Yorkshire in the middle of December and most likely the heating will be off. So, believe me, these are appropriate.”

“But hardly romantic.”

“I told you it’s—”

“Just business, I know, but I bet it doesn’t stay that way.” She sighed. “It’s so ‘Cathy and Heathcliffe,’ just the two of you alone on the moors. I bet it will snow, and you’ll be stuck there for months, having to share body heat.”

“We will not be sharing anything, especially not body heat.”

Chloe ignored her. “Don’t worry about me and Smokey—we’ll look after each other. You stay as long as you like.” She hunted through Tara’s wardrobe as she spoke. After pulling a black silk shirt off the hanger, she folded it carefully before placing it in the bag. “Don’t you have any dresses?” she asked, continuing her search.

Tara looked at her in amazement. “You hate dresses. I’ve never seen you in a dress.”

“Yes, but I’ve never been on a romantic break with Christian Roth.”

Tara opened her mouth. Closed it again. What was the point?

Chloe moved to burrowing in the drawers. “Ah,” she said, “here they are.” She held up the lacy black bra and matching panties they’d bought on a shopping trip, and added them to the bag. Tara shook her head but zipped up the case and put it on the floor.

“Thank you.” She reached out and hugged Chloe. “I always wanted a friend. I’m glad I found you.”

“Aw, that’s sweet,” Chloe said, and tightened her arms around her.

After a moment, Tara took a step back. “Right, that’s it then?”

“Toothbrush.” Chloe said.

“Toothbrush?”

“Believe me, you’re going to want to brush your teeth. Probably like every five minutes. I’m always like that when I get a new man.”

Tara shook her head again but went into the bathroom and filled a bag with toiletries and make-up. She added it to the case.