Samson nodded. “You can’t very well go back to your work as a bounty hunter. But we could use somebody like you.”

Yvette’s chest filled with pride. To invite Haven to work for Scanguards meant he had his full trust. It meant he truly would be one of them. An equal. A member of the family.

“Think on it for a few days.” Then Samson rose, indicating the end of their conversation.

As Yvette and Haven walked in silence into the night, she slipped her hand into Haven’s. Only their footsteps echoed on the pavement. Yvette let the last few minutes replay in her head. By the time Haven finally spoke, they were already climbing the steep hills of Telegraph Hill and only a few blocks from her home.

“I don’t think I can accept. Not yet, anyway.”

“Why?”

“I’m not ready. And I don’t deserve it.”

“But Samson thinks you do.”

Haven smiled at her in the darkness. “I have to believe it first. Yvette, I’ve killed innocent vampires. I have to forgive myself for that first.”

Deep down, she understood. His honor forbade him to accept something he didn’t feel worthy of. “I’ll help you.”

He squeezed her hand and pulled her into the entrance of her home—their home. “And with your help, I’ll forgive myself one day.” He kissed her, then released her and unlocked the door.

A sound from the inside put her on guard and ready to act. She inhaled. A moment later, she tore past Haven, entering the dark house.

“Dog!”

A soft yelp came from the kitchen. When she entered it, her eyes peered into the darkness. There, on its floor pillow lay her dog. But it wasn’t alone.

Behind Yvette, Haven entered the kitchen and flicked the light switch, flooding the room with light.

“Puppies!” Yvette exclaimed as she dropped down to the floor to pet her dog, who licked her neck happily. “She’s had puppies.”

Next to her, Haven crouched down and stoked his hand over the dog’s fur. “That’s a nice dog you have here, baby. What’s her name?”

Through tears, she blinked at Haven. “She has no name.” Then the floodgates opened, the stress and strain of the past two weeks finally dissipating. Haven’s arms cradled her against his chest as he lifted her into his lap and the dog lapped against her ankle.

“Then we’ll just have to pick one, won’t we?” He stroked her cheek and lifted her head, kissing her softly on her forehead. “And for the puppies, too.”

Haven scooped one of the puppies up in his large palm. Its eyes were closed, and it whined softly. “Look at this one. The color on its head makes it look bald. I think I have the perfect name for this little boy.”

He winked mischievously at her, making Yvette laugh through her drying tears.

“Zane’s going to kill you if he hears it.”

Haven stroked the puppy’s snout and addressed it, “What do you think about that, Zane, huh? You’re not gonna be afraid of a big, bald vampire, are you?”

THE END
Excerpt of Venice Vampyr #3 - Sinful Treasure

By Tina Folsom

Bianca had always tended toward having erotic dreams, but this one was better than any of her previous ones. Maybe it was the exhaustion of the days of travel she had behind her, or the excitement of returning to Venice to start a new life with what she would find in her home, but her entire body seemed to hum with pleasure. Not the kind of hurried pleasure some of her former lovers would grant her, but the leisurely pace of a lover who had all the time in world.

And she had no intention of rushing him.

This was a dream she’d give her full and undivided attention to without hurrying the events along. Because every touch was perfection, every contact with her dream lover’s hands and mouth a treat as sumptuous as any buffet at the grandest balls in Florence.

Bianca had first become aware of her vivid dream when she’d felt something wet and warm licking over her nipple. Seconds later, firm lips had closed around her little bud and tugged, sending delicious tingles down her skin. That, together with the hand that was playing with the soft flesh between her legs, was making her want to howl. Why could none of her real lovers ever have ignited such passion in her? Why could she only conjure up such feelings in her dreams?

She sighed when his finger slipped over her pearl and ignited her even further. His touch was soft, yet there was enough pressure for her to almost twist away at the intensity of the sensations it produced in her belly. Low and deep it churned in her, as if a fire was building, each flame stoking the fire higher, each touch turning her softer and more receptive. She had rarely ever been able to let herself go and lose herself in the sensations that her body was currently reveling in. She’d always been afraid of losing herself, of giving something she didn’t want to give to those men who only wanted her body, who had no interest in her as a person.