Chapter 16

GRACE

Stepping out of the car, I was still basking in the afterglow. My body was aching for more, my pussy throbbing and wet.

I craved more, but Haven was stubborn. I knew he wouldn’t give in. I didn’t want to push him either, or he’d punish me again.

I tried to smooth down my golden hair, hoping I didn’t look too flustered. I didn’t want my grandmother to suspect what we’d been up to just before coming home.

I should’ve thought about that before I begged Haven to make me come. It seemed my pussy had a mind of its own around him.

I grabbed my keys and opened the door to our retro kitchen. I called out for my grandmother, hoping Haven wouldn’t mind.

She was already on our small couch, engrossed in the TV news. I could see her from the kitchen, which opened into the living room.

“You’re finally back,” she said, turning to me. “And who’s this?”

Her gaze landed on Haven, who was grinning from ear to ear. He looked every bit the successful CEO. He could’ve been in a commercial, or on the cover of a romance novel. He was so handsome that even my grandmother blushed.

“This is Haven,” I introduced him. “My boyfriend.”

Her eyes widened, then narrowed. She was in full investigation mode.

I chuckled. I had no idea how I was going to tell her I was moving in with him.

I’d told her about Haven, of course. I didn’t keep secrets from her, so she knew about our kiss at the diner and everything.

She just didn’t know what we were planning. I’d miss her like crazy, but I didn’t want her in danger if anything went wrong with Silas.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wolf,” Haven said, extending his hand to my grandmother.

“I thought you would’ve come to meet me sooner,” she said.

“I apologize. My work takes up a lot of my time, and the rest is dedicated to Grace,” he replied smoothly.

He always had an answer for everything. My grandmother seemed satisfied, and she smiled at him. I felt a wave of relief. I’d had a feeling she’d like him, but it was good to have confirmation.

“I thought you were spending the night at Lee’s,” she said, turning her questioning gaze on me.

“There was a change of plan,” I said, forcing a smile. “Actually...Haven asked me to move in with him.”

“Isn’t that a bit soon?” she asked, her eyes widening. “You’ve only been dating a few months. You’re so young, Grace. I’m not saying you’re not a good man, Haven, but...are you sure you want to settle down so soon?”

“I’m past the age to settle down,” Haven said, chuckling. He was, but my grandmother didn’t need to know that.

“I can see that,” she said.

“I’m sure, Grannie,” I said, smiling. “I want to try. And it’s not like I’m moving far away. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll worry about you until the day I die, honey,” she said, turning to me. “When the police brought you to me, I promised to take care of you.”

“And you did. Now it’s my turn to work hard.”

“Grace...” She sighed. “You don’t have to. Just promise you won’t forget me.”

“Never,” I said, hugging her tightly. “I’ll come visit. I won’t be far.”

“You’re welcome to visit anytime,” Haven added.

“I’ll hold you to that,” she said. “I suppose you’re here to pick up your things. Did you have to do it so late?”

“We were...busy,” I said, avoiding her gaze.

“I see.” She chuckled. “Ah, to be young. Live your life to the fullest, Grace, and never apologize for it.”

I smiled at her, then headed upstairs to pack. I pulled out the suitcase I’d bought for a school trip from under my bed. I packed all the essentials and some clothes until it was ready to burst.

Clothes weren’t a priority since I could borrow from Haven’s closet. I’d have to ask whose they were, but I hoped they belonged to one of his sisters. I’d prefer that to them being his exes’.

When I came downstairs, they were both drinking coffee in the kitchen. I’d need more than one suitcase to move all my stuff, but I wasn’t in a hurry.

It was comforting to know I still had things here in the house I grew up in, even though I was excited to start living with Haven. We could also buy things together like a real couple. I loved that idea.

As soon as I entered the room, Haven turned his green eyes to me and smiled. My heart fluttered. I sat next to him at the table, and my grandmother asked if I wanted some coffee too.

“No thanks,” I said.

Haven had told me he could eat and drink, but it was still strange to see him drinking coffee so casually when just a few hours ago he’d been drinking my blood. I was so fascinated watching him that I didn’t notice my grandmother trying to get my attention.

“Grace,” my grandmother called louder.

I tore my gaze away from Haven, cheeks heating up. God. He always managed to draw me in, no matter what he was doing. He caught my lingering look, a smirk peeking out from behind his coffee mug. My grannie was watching me, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.

“You’ll have plenty of time to stare at him tonight. Want me to pack up some lasagna for you? I made too much, knowing you’re heading out.”

“Sure, if it’s not too much trouble,” I replied, my voice filled with anticipation.

“I also made a pecan pie.” She grinned.

My grannie was an amazing cook. It was a shame Haven would never get to experience it.

She packed up half the pie and a good portion of the lasagna for me. It would take me days to finish it all, but I didn’t mind. I was actually looking forward to it. Even if Haven was a decent cook, nothing could compare to my grannie’s cooking.

We finished packing everything, and Haven hoisted my suitcase as if it were feather-light. To him, it probably was.

I turned to give my grannie one last hug, and she held me tight. I could feel her reluctance to let me go, but she loved me too much to hold me back.

“Promise you’ll call and tell me about your first day,” she said.

“Of course.” I smiled at her.

“And you,” she said, turning to Haven, “you keep an eye on her.”

“You have my word.” He smiled back. “I want nothing more than for her to be safe and happy.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” Grannie nodded in approval.

We left the house, and I linked my arm with Haven’s. It was silly to feel lonely when I was about to move in with my vampire, but...I couldn’t help but worry about her. I was her last living relative, after all.

“You okay, baby?” he asked as he stowed the luggage in the trunk of the car.

“Yeah... I’m just worried about her. She hasn’t been alone since I moved in with her,” I admitted.

“She’s a grown woman, you know?” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “If it’ll make you feel better, I can have one of my guys keep an eye on her tonight.”

“What?” I asked, taken aback.

“One of the vampires who works security for me can make sure everything’s okay tonight,” he clarified.

I mulled it over as I settled into the car. Was it okay to have a stranger, a vampire no less, watching over her? Was I being too overprotective?

“I won’t think any less of you if you decide to do it,” he said as he started the car.

“Did you do that with me after we met?” I asked.

He was silent for a moment, and I knew him well enough to recognize that as a confession. I smiled, reaching over to take his hand.

“Stalker.” I teased.

“I prefer to think of it as being cautious. I didn’t know if other vampires had seen you with me, so I had to be sure. I only sent vampires I trust completely, ones that I created,” he explained.

“You mean...you work with vampires that you turned?” I asked.

“Yes. Most of the key positions at my company are filled by vampires that I created. It’s easier to work with people I can trust implicitly.”

I was certain that not all the people he’d turned were men. Would I end up like them? Was that why he chose me? So I could be another vampire he’d turned?

That had to be it. It was the only reason he could possibly be interested in me. Maybe I had a skill he wanted to have at his disposal for all eternity.

“No.” I sighed. “I don’t want them to watch her.”

“Your call, sweetheart.”

For now, I was his sweetheart, but I wanted to be that for all eternity.