BittenandDefiant by Anonymous Author

need a good cry. You’ve been through so
much. And now with what you’ve started it’s not unexpected your nerves would be
a little raw.”
    “Um.”
    “What is it?”
    “That’s the first time I cried. Since all this happened.”
    Kellen pulled her tight against him. She obviously had no
idea what that meant. She trusted him. She had to or she wouldn’t have let her
pain show as she had. And if she trusted him then there was hope for them.
Perhaps she would reconsider and stay with him once her need for revenge was
satisfied.
    “Aw, Frankie. I wish I’d been here for you all along. You
can’t hold it in.”
    “I know but…”
    “But?”
    “There wasn’t anyone…” She let the thought hang, unfinished.
    “No one to hold you? No one to comfort you? No one by your
side no matter what was going on?”
    “No. No one. Not after Kate died. And I had to be strong for
her with Amber.”
    “Well there is now. I’m with you. And I’ll stay with you.
Forever if you’ll have me.”
    Frankie looked startled. With her emotions running so high
it was as if she couldn’t decide what he meant. After a second, hope bloomed on
her features. “Do you mean?”
    “Maybe.” Kellen nodded slowly.
    “Kellen!” she squealed.
    “Now wait. I said maybe. We need to talk first.”
    “Okay,” she agreed. “Be right back. I need more tea. Can I
get you anything?”
    He chuckled. Yes, her emotions were rampant, with how
changeable she was. “No thank you.”
    “Oh.” She stopped in the doorway. “Right. Unnecessary.”
    “It is but that doesn’t mean I too don’t enjoy the
occasional cup of tea. And Frankie, it is still only maybe. There is a lot to
discuss.”
    “I heard you. I understand. But maybe is so much better than
flat-out no.” She smiled and even though her face was still red from crying she
was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
     
    Frankie took her time making the tea. So much had happened
the past few days. Her mind was a whirlwind. If she was completely honest with
herself she had to admit Kellen was more than a mere solution. She’d been drawn
to him even before they’d spoken. Learning more about him made him fascinating.
Add in the sexual chemistry between them and it had her thinking things she had
no right to even consider. Not with the horrible way her entire family had
died.
    She returned to the study to find Kellen gazing outside. The
atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. It made her wonder what exactly he was
going to say. She’d assumed it would be that he would only change her on the
condition that she stay with him afterward, something that wouldn’t be such a
bad thing, but with his expression she was no longer sure.
    “Kellen?” she prompted when he didn’t begin.
    He turned and studied her so intently it was all Frankie
could do not to squirm.
    “What you’ve probably heard about being turned into a
vampire is more than likely an oversimplification. It’s not a quick and easy
process.”
    He had her full attention.
    “It’s painful, Frankie. And doesn’t always work. It could
end badly. Very badly.”
    “How so?”
    “Let me explain how it occurs first.” She nodded. “You’re
correct in believing I would need to bite you. First I’d have to drain enough
of your blood that you were all but dead. You’d need to drink mine to revive
you. Over the next few days every cell in your body would transform. You’d be
unconscious at first. At some point you’d come around and need to feed again.
    “While you’re out I’d probably leave to feed myself. Your
hunger wouldn’t kill me but it could weaken me if I don’t. At that stage I’m
the only one who could sustain you. Well, myself or another vamp, which as I’m
sure you can guess is out of the question. If I turned you loose on humans
you’d drain them dry and kill them without intending to.”
    Frankie gasped at the thought of it.
    “Yeah, it’s not a pleasant event, not as I’m sure