My Guardian

He nodded and led her to a small kitchen. When he was home, he kept a handful of cinnamon sticks in a small pot of water on the stove.

He pointed to the small silver pot. "My mother taught me that. Growing up, I believed that her kitchen was the most magical place in any of the four cities."

Eva turned to him her eyes sad. "You miss her very much, don't you?"

He took a deep breath and froze his features. "I do."

She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You don't have to do that, you know. I won't tell anyone if you get upset. You're my mate, and anything that happens between us, stays between us. You can drop your mask with me."

Her words snapped the strings that held his facade in place. When his mask fell away, it felt as if a huge weight fell to the ground with it. He slumped forward and rested his cheek on her shoulder. "I love how tall you are," he murmured, breathing in her scent.

"I've always hated it, but if it helps to support you, then I won't curse Fate for my extra inches anymore."

Adriel stood up straight and looked down. "I do not understand. You are perfect, how could you hate anything about yourself?"

She sucked in her breath. "You really mean that, don't you? You really do."

"Of course I do, I do not make it a habit of saying things I do not mean."

"Maybe someday I'll see myself the way you see me, until then... show me the rest of your house."

"There is not much. Here is the kitchen. There is a half bathroom for guests tucked under the stairs." They walked back the way they came. "This is the living room and on the other side of the stairs is my office." He led her up the stairs. "To the left is the master bedroom, to the right a guest bathroom and two guest rooms. It is not much, but it suits my needs perfectly."

"Do you want me in the guest room?" She arched an eyebrow.

"No, but I swore I would treat my mate with utmost respect. I would court you properly and shower you with gifts until you felt ready to be claimed. I did not want you to feel rushed."

"What if I don't really need any gifts and would prefer you to court me in bed? We can claim each other when it feels right."

He swallowed hard. "I could show you the master bedroom."

"Sounds like a right good idea to me."

He opened the door and paused. Turning to her, he cleared his throat. "Would you allow me to carry you over the threshold? It is a human tradition, but I feel we need to do something to honor the occasion."

She blushed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, please."

He easily swept her up and held her close to his chest. "Welcome home, Eva Mae Miller."

CHAPTER SIX

Eva felt her mouth go dry when he welcomed her home. She didn't want to ruin the romantic mood she had finally gotten him into by bringing up the fact that she already had a home back in Texas. Once inside the room, he set her down gently.

"It is just a simple bedroom suite, we can order new if you would like."

She took in the dark wood furniture and cream linens. From the outside, she had expected his house to be all metals and chrome, but once inside, it was warm woods and soft creams and whites. She had a feeling that the house very much reflected the man.

"I love it; don't you dare change a thing." She walked over to the bed and hopped up, which was saying something. She usually didn't have to hop for anything. She stretched out, extending her toes and her fingers. She didn't hit a headboard or footboard. She sat up to see him smiling at her.

"Is this custom built?"

He nodded. "I'm six five. Even with a king size bed, I felt like my feet were about to hang over. I had this built and some of the craftsmen in the marketplace made the linens."

"I'm never leaving this bed!" She rolled around never hitting the edge.

He walked forward and gently pulled her boots off. Once her boots were off, she had to come out of her clothes. Forgetting he was even in the room, she yanked off her shirt and jeans. Down to her panties, bra, and tank top she resumed rolling around on the bed. She had never felt anything more decadent in her life.

"You look like a kitten kneading her blanket."

She stopped flexing her fingers and looked over at him. His mouth was twitching with a smile, but his eyes were dark with lust.

"I really do like your bed."

"Yes, I can tell."

She patted the space next to her. "Come lie down with me."

He frowned. "In the middle of the day?"

"It feels even better in the middle of the day. You take some time to relax while the whole world is carrying on outside, and you carve just a bit of time for yourself. Come on."

"This is highly irregular," he said, pulling off his tie. He folded it carefully on a wooden stand in the corner. Next was his shirt, which was carefully arranged on a hanger and hung from the closet door. He paid no less attention to his slacks. She noticed that her vampire mate was nearly hairless. He was just inch after inch of smooth marble-like skin. No matter how simple or mundane the task, like hanging up his shirt, his body moved with an effortless grace. She could watch his body move and flex for the rest of her life and never tire of the sight. When he was down to his boxers and socks, he stepped forward as if to climb on the bed. She held up her hand. "Socks hafta go."

He looked at her feet. "You still have yours on."

She wiggled her foot at him. "Mine are cute with baby horses on them."