4 - We Are Gathered Read Online Free PDF Page A

something other than Tristan, she’d hear it.
    “Am I a real vampire? So…she did tell you of me.”
    The smile reached his eyes, making something go all soft and weak just below her heart. Rori put both hands there to make it stop.
    “Her last boyfriend was one, too? You wound me, ladies. Truly.”
    He licked his lips, sending a flick of tongue over elongating canines, and Rori rocked in place as it hit her. Tristan might actually be real. He was nothing like Eric. That guy had paid to have his teeth elongated and then filed, and then he played with being dark and sexy with his fangs. She’d bought every bit of it. But not now. In comparison.
    “What? Before dawn, of course. Don’t wait up. Rori?”
    She was at his side without making one step, and didn’t worry over how. It was enough to feel the forces radiating outward from him, filling her, strengthening her, granting her power back. Rori lifted her hand and pushed toward the door, and knew it flew open without even looking.
    “Gently, Love.”
    His whisper touched her, making the wound on her neck tingle. Rori tipped her head sideways to keep the locked gaze through her lashes. Gently? She didn’t want gently! She felt primed to sprint a marathon, climb a mountain, and swim a lake. In tandem. She took his hand, got another jolt the moment his fingers wrapped about hers, and returned the smile, and then looked out the door. A cab waited in the street below them, his lights glinting off raindrops.
    “A taxi?”
    “It seemed best.”
    “Why?”
    “I wouldn’t want to tire over the trip.”
    “Right.”
    She had to look away or something worse might happen. She could drown in the black of his eyes, felt faint at the light-headedness led by a buzz in her ears, almost as if her blood was thinning and racing through her veins…calling to him. Rori swallowed on the thought, because just maybe, that was exactly what was happening. It terrified and yet excited her, and knowing him, he’s probably already read her thought. The slight huff of groan he made verified it. The next moment saw her down the stairs, ensconced in the back seat, and held very close against Tristan and she couldn’t remember taking one step to get there.
     “Your roommates are very curious. Very interested.”
    “Of course they are. You’re very noticeable.”
    “You think so?”
    “You angling for compliments?
    “No. I mean…I don’t think so.”
    He looked as confused as he sounded. Rori edged away slightly, setting her tailbone against a seatbelt connector. She needed the space, but it didn’t work. Everything on her felt like it itched. Annoyed. Demanded.
    “Where are we going?”
    “The station.”
    “What station?”
    “MTBA.”
    “You’re taking me to the train station for a date?”
    His lips quirked up on one side, hiding the smile. Or maybe he was hiding those fangs. Either way, it made her heart skip a beat. Or maybe it was just being in proximity to him.
    “What is so amusing?”
    “Later.”
    Rori sighed. “That again? Well, let me tell you, ‘later’ better not include a round of moshing with some creepy vampire types, or another interrogation by your boss. Ok?”
    As if she’d commanded it, he huffed, moving about to fetch his little cell thing. She watched him put it to his far ear and turn from her, almost whispering the words.
    “Yes? Not tonight. Nigel has the codes. Thank you, but no. Very funny. Off.”
    He did some more shifting about putting it back into a pocket somewhere and then looked back at her.
    “Problems?”
    “Nothing I need address now.”
    “Are you always on call?”
    “Not tonight. You heard me.”
    They arrived at the train station. It was crowded. One good thing about crowds: it was easy to be invisible…unless one was being accompanied by a man as amazingly handsome and tall as Tristan. Rori stood looking up at the front of the building while Tristan paid the fare. He was garnishing what was probably his share of looks,