It was Alec.
The beating of my heart screeched to a halt. His usual crisp, custom suit was askew, his shirt unbuttoned, and his tie hung loose around his neck. His fangs extended at the sight of me sprawled across the bed in nothing except a sheer white robe.
I grabbed the nearest pillow in an attempt to cover myself. “Alec, what are you doing here?” My pulse was racing as he moved to stand at the edge of the bed.
“I cannot begin to tell you how much I’ve missed you,” he said quietly. His eyes never left me. “I made a terrible mistake with Holly. I never should have allowed myself to enter that relationship. It was meant as a diversion. The truth is that my feelings for you…” He cleared his throat. I’d never seen him in such a state before. “I’ve come to apologize and humbly ask…to ask for more. I’m ready, Miss Rose…Ember.”
A lump formed in my throat. Now? I was finally ready to give myself over to Granger and now Alec wanted a chance with me? I gaped at him in disbelief.
“Alec, I don’t know what to say,” I said. “I wasn’t expecting you or…this.”
“Please.” His expression was a mixture of pain, grief, and longing. I knew it well because I’d worn it myself on many occasions.
“Granger is on his way,” I said absently. My mind went blank. All I could do was stare at the gorgeous vampire at the edge of my bed, begging me for a chance. For a future. Sweet baby Elvis. Why was life so complicated? My head swam with confusion.
PP3’s growl downstairs brought me to my senses. I sat up, fully alert. “You have to go,” I said. “Granger can’t see you in here. He won’t understand.” I wasn’t sure I understood.
“I’m here, Rose,” the sheriff called from downstairs. “Where are you? Playing hide-and-seek? Because I’m up for it.”
My eyes were glued to Alec. I suddenly recalled my aunt’s words from Marley’s party—walls were quick to go up but slow to come down. It wasn’t only true of her. I reached for my wand on the nightstand and did a spell to change my clothes from sexy to casual. Relief rippled across the vampire’s features.
“Hurry up before your wiry beast slays me,” the sheriff yelled.
I aimed my wand at the window and opened it. “You can leave that way.”
Alec nodded wordlessly and jumped from the window with the grace of an angel. My heart burned.
“Give me a minute,” I yelled. “I’ll be right down.”
I turned off the music and doused the flame.
Also by Annabel Chase
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Other Books By Annabel Chase—
Spellbound
Curse the Day, Book 1
Doom and Broom, Book 2
Spell’s Bells, Book 3
Lucky Charm, Book 4
Better Than Hex, Book 5
Cast Away, Book 6
A Touch of Magic, Book 7
A Drop in the Potion, Book 8
Hemlocked and Loaded, Book 9
All Spell Breaks Loose, Book 10
Spellbound Ever After
Crazy For Brew, Book 1
Lost That Coven Feeling, Book 2
Wands Upon A Time, Book 3
Spellslingers Academy of Magic
Outcast, Warden of the West, Book 1
Outclassed, Warden of the West, Book 2
Outlast, Warden of the West, Book 3
Magic & Malice Page 18