And now that he was back, he could barely believe that he wasn’t dreaming.

Luther brushed his fingers through her hair, holding her face in his hands. “Oh, Katie, I know there’s so much you don’t know about me, and I promise you I’ll tell you everything you want to know, but I need to hear one thing from you. Please tell me that I’m not just imagining what I think you feel for me. Please tell me it’s real.”

“I’ve waited half a lifetime for you. I would have waited another lifetime.” She lifted herself on her tiptoes. “I love you, Luther.”

Her lips were soft, warm, and welcoming. She tasted of ripe woman and innocent girl. Of seduction and comfort. Of love. His desire for her instantly spiraled out of control. But he stilled, forcing his breath to gentle.

“I need to ask you something.”

He let go of her face and took one step back. As he dropped to one knee, he pulled out a small box from his jacket pocket. When he looked up at her, she stared at him with wide eyes and an open mouth.

Katie gasped. “Oh, Luther.”

“I haven’t asked you yet. I want to do this right.” He took a deep breath and locked eyes with her. He took her hand in his. “Katie, you’ve shown me that there is redemption, that even I deserve love. You’ve taught me that the demons of our past only have power over us if we let them. And I’m not going to let them have that power any longer. I’m free of my past. I’m ready for a new life. And I want to share this life with you. As my mate, my wife, my everything.” He opened the box to present the diamond engagement ring he’d picked out for her. “Will you blood-bond with me?”

Katie pressed her lips together, visibly choking back tears. “Yes.”

Luther slid the ring on her finger and rose, tossing the box to the side. He rid himself of his jacket and pulled Katie into his arms. “I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”

Her body molded to his. Through the thin fabric of her evening dress, he could feel every curve and every muscle of her luscious body. He slid one hand to her nape, the other to her ass, holding her to him, letting her feel what she did to him. A soft gasp told him that she could feel the outline of his cock press against her center.

“Take me,” she begged.

Her words fueled the fire in him, the fire that was raging, threatening to incinerate him if he didn’t make her his.

He brought his mouth to hover over hers, inhaling her sweet breath. Without haste, he slanted his lips over hers and took her mouth captive, kissing her with a passion he thought he wasn’t capable of anymore. But Katie had awakened his heart just as surely as she was causing his cock to harden and thrust against her with unquenchable need.

When her tongue touched his and they began a passionate dance as old as time itself, waves of pleasure coursed through his body. He delved deep into her delicious caverns, soaking up her taste, getting drunk on it. Every sigh and moan she released, he captured and swallowed, wanting to take everything she was willing to give him.

He was crazy about Katie. Needed her like his next breath. She nourished his heart and made it awaken again just like she would nourish his body from now on. Because once they were bonded, he would only drink from her. She would be his only source to sustain him, to keep him alive. In turn, she’d partake in his immortality and remain as young and beautiful as she was now. It was a perfect symbiosis. A flawless connection. He didn’t have to explain it to her. She’d been living with vampires. She knew what a blood-bond entailed.

Slowly, Luther began to undress her. He found the zipper of her dress and slid the straps off her shoulders, letting the silk fabric pool at her feet with a soft whoosh. He looked at what he’d unveiled, drinking her in with his eyes. She wore a red bra and matching panties. His cock leapt at the tantalizing sight.

“So goddamn perfect,” he murmured.

Katie reached for him and started to unbutton his shirt. He helped her until he could finally take his shirt off. When she reached for his pants, he put his hand over hers.

“Easy there, baby. It’s been a week since you touched me. I’m liable to go off like a rocket.”

Katie smiled at him from under her long lashes and pushed his hand away. “Oh, you’d better be going off like a rocket, or I’m not doing it right.”

He groaned, but let her proceed stripping him of his pants and boxer briefs. He kicked off his shoes. Seconds later he stood naked in front of her.

He reached for her, brushing his hands over her tempting boobs, feeling her nipples pebble under his light touch. He grinned and opened the front clasp of her bra.