J.R.Ward

Yeah, okay, so he wasn’t exactly Hallmark-card material. But he could pull off some romance. Couldn’t he?

“God, Beth, I think I wanted it to be you. In spite of the fact that I’m not going to be around for long after your change.” He shook his head. “Man, I am one stupid SOB.”

“Damn it, don’t you die!” Candles flared in the room. “I love you, damn you! Goddamn you, don’t you let go!”

“Yes,” she whispered.

He kissed her forehead. “Yes what, my leelan?”

“I will marry you.”

“I will not fall in love with you,” she said. “I can’t let myself. I won’t.”

“That’s all right. I’ll love you enough for the both of us.”

Phury knelt beside him and stroked his face. “I’ve only ever had you to live for. If you die I have nothing. I’m utterly lost. And you are needed here.”

“But here’s something to keep in mind. You ever hurt him on purpose and I will consider you my enemy.”

He stopped between her breasts, his own mouth falling open and his fangs elongating. “If I ke

loodline around somewhere. And I’m going to make sure that they don’t find out about this.”

He would fight for his books, just as he fought for the scraps of food to fill his belly or the castoff clothing that covered his skin.