One and Only by Bianca D'Arc Page B

every bit as handsome, commanding and powerful as her new mate, though without the soft side that tempered her lover. He was formidable.
    “Stay with your mate and be happy, milady. Let me handle the threat—if there is, indeed, any. We may come to find that another was the target and now that he or she is dead, the threat may vanish. Either way, it is far better to be safe than sorry.”
    Atticus rose and stretched his hand out for a brotherly shake. “I can’t thank you enough, Marc. Lissa’s safety is the most important thing in the world to me.”
    Marc nodded once. “Understandable. Even admirable. I envy you, my friend, and I aim to see that nothing threatens your future happiness. I’ll be in touch when I know more. For now, rest here and stay safe.”
    They saw Marc to the door and Lissa was impressed by the low-slung, shiny black sports car he drove. That car had to cost more than ten years of rent on her apartment in the city and it purred like a big cat. These men—these vampires—were wealthy sons of guns.

Chapter Four
    Atticus locked up the house, arming the security systems and making certain all was as safe as he could make it. They had hours until sunrise and he wanted to spend many of them making love to his new mate. But before they let passion carry them away, they had some planning to do.
    He led her toward the indoor pool housed on the back side of the house. It had a glass roof that he could open to the night sky in warm weather. The pool was surrounded by lush, tropical plants and had a small waterfall to make it look and feel like a naturally occurring grotto in some exotic destination.
    “This is gorgeous at night. I saw it earlier today, but it’s even more beautiful now.” Lissa moved toward one of the large bird of paradise plants and stroked its leaves as she gazed out over the water.
    “I’m glad you like it. I spend a lot of time out here, stargazing and contemplating the infinite.” He moved to the small bar and poured two glasses of deep red wine, brought them toward the plush lounge chairs nearby. She sat and accepted one of the glasses, before he took the space next to her on the wide chaise. “Now, of course, I can sit out here and ponder you.”
    She laughed and sipped at the wine, smiling at him over the rim of the crystal glass. He wanted to make love to her right then and there, but they had a few things left to discuss first. He could wait. But not too long.
    He put one arm around her as they leaned against the low back of the long chair, putting their feet up. He’d never been so comfortable in his entire existence.
    “Do you think your friends will accept that I swept you off your feet so quickly?” Atticus had seen the close relationship Lissa had with the small group of women she’d befriended in college while sifting through her memories during their initial joining. He kept the mental block between their minds in place for now, because he knew it was more comfortable for her to learn him slowly—and they truly had eternity to do so. He’d savor this time of learning her as she got used to him and his abilities.
    “After they meet you, I think they’ll understand.” Her sexy tone teased him. Tantalized him. But they had to talk first, before he lost all caution and reason.
    “I’d prefer to elope, but I know you want to have your friends at the wedding. How about we plan a ceremony for here at the vineyard? The grounds are beautiful at night. We could dress it up a bit with candlelight and soft music.”
    “Sounds perfect. And when they see the setting, they’ll understand why we’re holding the ceremony at night. It’s so much more romantic.”
    “I hoped you would think so. I’ll start the preparations with my staff as soon as it’s feasible.”
    “You have a staff? Do any of them know what you are?”
    “No, my dear. We keep our secret as close as possible. My on-site employees in the production areas don’t come to the house. It’s fenced