Blood Eternal (35 page)

Instead of obeying, he moved around behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Do your worst. Every moment of being with my wife is worth the risk.” He kissed her temple, earlobe then neck.

“Charmer.” She laughed, lifted a hand and caressed his cheek and lips.

“Enough, love birds. There’s already one loaf in the oven.” Broderick nodded at her belly. “And the restaurant is opening in a few hours. I said I’d help wait tables this weekend, not run the restaurant.”

“See what you did?” Savannah elbowed Luke. “No worries, Broderick. Most of the staff should be in soon. I don’t expect tonight to be too bad, as it’s a Tuesday.”

Luke rubbed his ribs and grinned. “My modest wife for you. Works miracles, but at some point she is going to have to start delegating more to the wonderful people she hired.”

Broderick shook his head. “Kiss ass.”

Luke shrugged. Maybe so, but at least he knew whose ass to kiss. He smiled and lovingly rubbed Savannah’s hip.

“Not yet.” Broderick met his gaze. “You two can get back to loving later. We’ve got a visitor.”

Luke straightened. “But we are closed.”

As if on cue, Rafe entered the kitchen, his impenetrable mask in place. “Savannah, Luke.” He nodded. “I hope you don’t mind my dropping in.”

Luke straightened. What was the Ancient doing so far from home? “Rafe.”

“No, we don’t,” Savannah said, patting Luke’s arm. “You know you are always welcome here.” She hugged Rafe, who received her awkwardly.

“No worries, Luke,” Rafe said. “I’m only here to wish you a happy birthday and congratulations.”

Happy birthday? “But you are mistaken. I was not born on this date.”

Rafe reached into his backpack and pulled out two packages. “I’m talking about your
second
birth as a human.”

Luke nodded in understanding.

Rafe handed the packages to Savannah. “The box is from Francesca. I don’t believe you’ve met her. She’s a good friend of Luke’s who took him in after his transformation.” Rafe met Luke’s gaze. “Is that not right?”

“It is. I have told Savannah about Francesca. Our hope is to bring the baby to Rome once she is old enough to travel. I would like for Francesca to meet her.”

“Oh, these are stunning.” Savannah held up several glass napkin holders. They sparkled beneath the light, their metallic colors rich and vibrant.

“They’re made of Murano glass. I believe Francesca said each had a unique design. Collector items. The second package is from me.”

“Please tell her thank you from us.” Savannah pulled the paper wrapping aside from the second package. “Oh, Rafe.”

“Handmade lace tablecloths,” he said. “I thought they would be useful for your restaurant.”

“Thank you, they’re beautiful.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Setting the tablecloths down, she turned to Broderick. “Would you mind helping me get some napkins from behind the bar? I need to fold a few more for tonight.”

“Sure,” Broderick said as he followed her out of the kitchen.

Luke released a sigh of relief his wife was no longer in the room. “Thank you for everything.”

“I’m not sure you mean that.” Rafe set down his backpack and peered into the large pot on the stove.

“I assure you, I do. You may excuse my nervousness. Previously, I stood a slight chance protecting my wife and unborn child. Now I am a mere human again.”

“But you enjoy it, don’t you?” Rafe cleared his throat. “Francesca also said to ask you about your paradise.”

“She is something else.” Luke smiled. “You can let her know paradise is treating me just fine and that I hope there are no further parallels with my life and his. And in answer to your question, I would not change what happened for the world. I would die first before reclaiming immortality.”

“Powerful words.” Rafe picked up his bag. “I’ll pass along your message to Francesca when I see or talk to her next.”

“Where are you off to now?”

“South America. For a couple months or more. I’ve decided to heed your advice and do more than consider a vacation.”

Luke lifted a brow. “I am glad you decided to move forward with it. The other Ancients permitted you to leave?”

Rafe smirked. “Drago suggested it.” He tilted his head. “Enjoy your day and take care of your family.”

“I will.”

* * * *

Savannah walked in to find Luke leaning against a counter, deep in thought. “What did Rafe want?”

He looked up, smiling as he saw her. She placed a hand on her stomach as their child fluttered within her, then smiled. “Was he not going to stay for dinner?”

“No, he is on his way to South America.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.” Luke tugged her to him. “Says he needs a vacation.”

“Oh.” About time. He seemed a great guy, beyond the edgy exterior and serious demeanor. The fact he was one of the most powerful vampires living might scare some women off, though.

“Savannah, what’s going on in your mischievous mind?”

“I’m thinking maybe Rafe will meet someone meant for him.”

Luke stepped back. “It is not easy. You do realize what happened to us was extremely rare, perhaps even unheard of?”

“I do, but I still wish him the best. Over a year ago you never would have imagined you’d be standing here as a human, making out with your wife.”

“No.” He kissed her. “As always, you make me see sense.”

“Tease.” She gently shoved his arm. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Yes.” Luke smiled. “But I shall never tire of hearing it.”

Toni Kelly

Toni Kelly first discovered a passion for writing at the tender age of six when her mother would “publish” her scribbled tales using trusty old Word Perfect. Gradually, stories of geese and golden eggs became poems and essays, until one fateful night nearly a decade later when Toni snuck a romance novel from her mother’s room. The cover’s backdrop was scenic, with mountains and a lake, but the couple of focus really caught her attention—a beautiful woman with long, wavy red hair and a stunningly handsome male enveloping her in his arms. Needless to say, several nights of reading later, Toni was in love with the characters as well as the romance genre itself.

So, after years of reading thousands of novels—romance as well as other genres—and several attempts to write “stories” for leisure, Toni decided to make a go of her passion and write her first manuscript.

When Toni is not writing or thinking up new plot ideas, she loves traveling and experiencing different cultures, languages and traditions. Many times these experiences provide inspiration for her writing. In addition to this, Toni is bilingual in English and Spanish and currently working on teaching herself Italian whenever time permits.

Irish Dreams

It’s one thing to resist an Irish dream, quite another to resist a dreamy Irishman.

After being traded for another woman by her fiancé, Maggie decides she’s had it with men. Good thing she's far away from him, in Ireland fulfilling her best friend's request to be maid-of-honor. Wicklow and the Emerald Isle are more than she expects…green, lush, and exactly what she needs. What she doesn't need is rescuing by some emerald-eyed charmer.

Newly divorced, Ethan Moore is ready to enjoy bachelorhood. Only one problem…the fiery-haired Maggie Christy. Unlike any woman he’s ever met, Maggie draws him close and turns him inside out. The attraction is unexpected and inconvenient, but nobody ever said true love was easy.

WARNING: Exceedingly charming Irishmen and sexually explicit scenes.
 

Lyrical Press books are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2013 Toni Kelly

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

First Electronic Edition: February 2014

ISBN-13: 9781616505011