“Me too.”

But again, he wanted her more than food. His anger grew. He couldn’t mate a damn human.

Chapter Eleven

Glen put on an oversized T-shirt and a pair of boxers. The rest of the pants options she’d found were either dirty or jeans she couldn’t fit into. The owner of the cabin seemed to have a limited choice on what to wear. She climbed down the ladder and found Veso placing two bowls on the tiny table. There was only one chair but he motioned her to it.

“Thank you.”

“He only has water and booze to drink.” Veso curled his lip. “I’m going to shower. Yell out if you hear the human moving around in the closet, got it? Don’t confront him yourself or move the chair I used to lock him in. I’m sure he’ll stay asleep but I’d rather be safe than sorry. His hands are secured behind his back but that doesn’t make him less of a threat to you.”

“What about your food?”

“I’ll hurry and won’t close the door all the way, so I can hear you if you need me.” He left the small kitchen area and entered the bathroom.

Glen sat down and stared at the contents of the bowl. She usually didn’t like stew but hunger made her change her mind as she lifted the spoon, blew on it, and took a bite. She closed her eyes, chewing. It was a bit too hot but she wasn’t going to complain. It had been a long time since morning and it beat the breakfast she’d had.

She glanced around the cabin and remembered that the owner had a cell phone. It was tempting to find and use it. Veso would be pissed though, and she remembered how easily he’d seemed to take over the mind of the man he’d captured and put in the closet. His warning about the cops not being able to help her replayed as well, and she finally understood. A Vampire could do the same to the police, take over their minds and control them.

“Damn.” She finished her food and stood, taking the bowl and spoon to the small sink. She was about to wash them but instead just set them down. She’d wait until Veso ate and do them all at the same time.

Noise drew her out of the kitchen right as Veso exited the bathroom. The sight of so much of him wasn’t getting old. He had the best body, and she hated noticing all those muscles as she scanned him fast before he caught her. He was staring at the door, as if to make sure she hadn’t messed with it. She hadn’t. He turned more and his gaze met hers.

“No problems?”

“Nope.”

“The sun should be down enough for the Vampires and soldiers to be on the prowl.”

That was a grim thing to say. “Fun.”

He frowned, his lips twisting downward. “Sarcasm is never attractive, Glenda.”

“How would you like me to react to you telling me that? Wring my hands and cringe? Cry? I understand that it’s getting dark.”

“It was a warning. And they have damn good hearing. A woman isn’t supposed to be here. It’s probably best if we don’t talk at all.”

She lifted her hand and saluted him. It was tempting to bend down three of her fingers and thumb to give him a different kind of salute, but she resisted. It still earned her a low growl and he came closer, stopping less than a foot away. She had to tilt her head back to keep looking into his eyes.

“I’m not in the best mood.”

“I had no clue.”

A brighter gold color spread through his irises, taking over the brown. The way he could do that still amazed her. His emotions caused a physical reaction in his eyes.

“What did I say?”

“Not in the best mood,” she repeated.

“Sarcasm.”

“It’s not attractive.”

“Exactly. I’m going to go upstairs and find something to wear.”

“Alright.”

He stepped around her, brushing his arm against hers. His skin felt a little damp and really warm where they touched. She turned her head, watching him as he began to climb the ladder. The towel wrapped around his waist didn’t fall off but it did hug his ass each time he lifted his legs, reminding her that he had a nice one. A little guilt surfaced when he reached the top and moved out of sight. Part of her had wished she had seen him lose that towel.

She faced forward, stared at the door, and hoped nobody showed up in the night.

“That would be bad,” she whispered.

The loft creaked. “What?”

She turned around, finding Veso standing at the top of the loft. “Nothing.”

“Don’t talk at all. You don’t listen well.”

She sealed her lips and entered the kitchen, out of his sight. A jug of bottled water sat on the counter. She found a glass and poured a little of it, drinking it all. It was a good thing she was tired. Sleep sounded good. She walked over to the only couch and took a seat. She flinched when she drew her legs up, a reminder that her thighs were tender. She lifted one, bent forward, and saw the redness there where her wet clothing had irritated her earlier while riding Veso’s back. The light abrasions would fade though. It wasn’t bleeding. Things could be worse.

A soft noise drew her attention and she straightened up, peering over the back of the couch. Veso just sported another pair of boxers. They looked a bit tight around his hips and she could clearly make out the outline of his cock. She twisted her head, staring at the fireplace instead of him. The mantel was wood but the fireplace was built out of small stones and what looked like cement.

Veso ate. It was so silent, she heard the slight clink every time his spoon touched the bowl. The dim room was beginning to bother her. She was in a strange place, and she didn’t need Veso to remind her of what might be outside the cabin. She’d spent enough time locked inside that mine that she’d probably never feel safe again at night, now that she knew what could crash through the door. Her kidnapping flashed through her memory.

“Or come through the windows,” she muttered under her breath.

“They are shuttered closed with bars across them.”

Veso’s soft voice made her startle and she watched as he took a seat a few feet away from her. “Don’t you make a sound when you move?” She realized she’d clutched her hand to her chest. He’d given her quite a scare.

“I assumed you were talking to me.” He twisted a little, staring at her.

“I talk to myself at times. That was one of them.”