Quinn's Undying Rose

“You knew I would kiss you, and you allowed it to happen.” Could they repeat that moment in history? Replay it over and over again?

“Shut the door. I haven’t got all night!” the taxi driver’s voice came from within the cab, destroying the tender moment.

Immediately, Rose turned away from him, reached for the door and slammed it shut. The taxi’s tires screeched as it took off.

When she turned back to him, he noticed that she avoided looking at him. His heart clenched. Disappointed, he walked to the cottage, knowing she would follow.

The door was unlocked. Inside, the voices of his colleagues and friends mixed with dance music. Several dogs yapped and barked. He was prevented from entering farther than the small lobby when two Labrador puppies blocked his way, excitedly barking up at him, unsure whether to welcome him or defend their territory.

“You little idiots!” Haven appeared through the door to the living room and bent down to the two puppies, stroking them. The intruders instantly forgotten, the two rolled onto their backs, offering their bellies to their master’s hands. Laughing, Haven complied, then gently shoved the two toward the kitchen. “Go!”

As he got up from his crouching position he wiped his hands on his jeans, his broad form nearly filling the entire width of the narrow corridor. “Sorry, Quinn, they’re just not trained yet.”

Quinn grinned. “Haven’t found a home for those two monsters yet, have you?”

Haven extended his hand for a shake. “Want one?”

“Good God, no! Too much work!”

His host laughed. “Yeah, but imagine what kind of babe magnet those—”

“Happy birthday, Haven!” Quinn interrupted loudly, hoping to stop him from making any further references to his lifestyle.

When Haven furrowed his forehead, Quinn took a step to the side, making space for Rose to emerge from behind him.

“Oops.” Haven made an apologetic gesture, then pasted a broad grin on his face. “Why don’t you introduce me to your date?”

Before he could do so, Rose already stretched her hand toward Haven, who instantly shook it. “I’m Rose Haverford. A client.”

He hesitated, shooting Quinn a questioning look, before he responded to her introduction. “I’m Haven, Yvette’s mate. Come in.” He motioned toward the living room. “Yvette’s in there.” He popped his head through the door. “Baby! More guests. Why don’t you introduce Rose here to all our friends?”

And with those words he simply gave Rose a little nudge toward the living room.

“Haven, could I have a quick word?” Quinn asked.

His host motioned his head toward the kitchen.

The moment Haven closed the kitchen door behind them, he leaned against it and hooked his thumbs into his belt.

“Since you know better than to bring a client to my house, I’m assuming Rose is your wife that everybody is talking about.”

Quinn sighed. It appeared good news traveled fast. At least it would save him from having to explain to everybody and their dog what their common history was.

“It’s complicated. Anyway, she just hired us to protect her 4th grandson.”

Haven did a double take. “Grandson?” He blew out an appreciative breath. “That’s one hot grandma if I’ve ever seen one.”

Torn between outrage about Haven’s comment and pride that even a blood-bonded vampire would find his Rose beautiful, he opted for a lighthearted response.

“Don’t let Yvette hear that, or she’ll rip your head off.”

“No shit! She’d have my balls too. Tell you something: if you ever get blood-bonded, it had better be with a woman you can’t get enough of, or the whole love forever thing is going to get old pretty soon.” He chuckled.

Not wanting to talk about himself, Quinn deflected, “So you think you made the right choice?”

Haven shook his head. “I don’t think so. I know I made the right choice.”

Then his lips moved silently. Isn’t that right, baby? Quinn read.

“You know you don’t have to move your lips when you talk to Yvette telepathically,” Quinn said.

“Oh, was I doing it again? Darn, it’s still so new. Just like everything else about being a vampire.”

Quinn nodded. “You’ll get used to it. We all did. Do you regret it?”

A fierce shake of his head was the answer. “God, no! I don’t regret having lost my human life. Being with Yvette more than makes up for it.”

Haven pushed off the door. “So, you wanted to talk to me about something?”