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Coveted Stephanie Nelson 25260K 2023-08-31

As I stared out onto the crowded street I foundin love with the vibrant city There were all sorts of characters to be seen; it was like a Where’s Waldo book come to life Onehis face while he posed for pictures with tourist Another ainst a restaurant wall I s these two free spirits They weren’t concerned hat the world thought of them and I loved that Tooour decisions for us In New Orleans, the residents were true to the or two fro caotten to sleep until around four My face was plastered against Dorian’s leather sofa, a thin coating of drool on ruh the s

"Morning," Dorian said fro ht had been spent thinking about hi about Aiden and our bond I could be the poster girl for chaos and draainst his chest and two cups of coffee in his hands I silently wondered if he was bringing her breakfast in bed He answereddown in front ofthe e his sunglasses so I had a clear view of the cloudy abyss of his eyes

"Thanks," Ia s about what he ht; so I focused on the house It wasn’t at all what I was expecting Everything had a place and nothing was out of order On the far wall hung colorful prints of jazzThe entire place had cherry hardwood floors A staircase was to the left of the living rooht about soanbriefly at Dorian and then away "Yeah Aiden’s eyes didn’t turn blue I mean they’re blue anyway, but they didn’t turn the electric blue they do when a vampire drinks our blood"

"Oh yeah," Dorian said, his voice coain, still uncomfortable Was the woman still here? Would she co else? And why did I care?

"Sonaled with his head to lanced at rip "No, just thinking It must mean that the NAWC has restored the spell that protects our blood Otherouldn’t his eyes change? And why haven’t they called me, or Fiona for that h my ramble

"Huh?"

"Why don’t you ask ned innocence "There’s nothing I want to know" I took another drink, burning , I stretched and asked, "Bathroom?"

Dorian lifted his arm and pointed down the hall "Second door on the left"

"I’?"

"First door on the right"

My head bobbed, and I headed for the hallway

"Gwen?"

"Hmm?" I didn’t turn around Instead I looked overthis early in theHis feet were bare and his entire body see really hard not to think of why

He stood up and walked over to where I was "About last night--"

I held up ht?"

Dorian nodded "Yeah, but it’s ht again This," he signaled to er Without knohen you’re in trouble or going to die, I’" I turned on my heel and sped walked down the hallway Only when I closed the bedroo

"Do yothang?" I whispered to myself, embarrassed beyond belief

Pull your head out of your ass, Gwen I uns, which only ood forty-five an running cold Sluggishly I dressed in a pair of jeans and green henley I had gotten four hours of sleep, butout the excess water and picked upthe bathroohter flowed down the hall and to , I headed to the bedroom where I first woke up and stuffedGiven the choice between having an aard conversation with Dorian’s flavor of the night and dealing with rogues, I’d choose rogues

I slipped out of the bedroo roo my head forward, I spotted Dorian and a dark haired wo at the breakfast bar At least she was dressed this time Dorian leaned on the counter, a slasses back in place I wondered if the wo of what Dorian was

"Gwen," he said, blowing etting caught, but fro like an immature child Dorian was free to do and see anyone he wanted The jealousy snaking its way through my entire body was irrelevant