Deathless Discipline by Renee Rose Page A

becoming another vampire's zombie, Dom's genetic makeup had changed. His hair had started to grow and Kate had conceived his baby, a miracle that had moved all three vampires in the house to tears.
    She carefully transferred the sleeping baby to Stella's arms without waking her.
    “So, remember, if you see fangs don't engage. Right?” Vampires’ fangs elongate when angry, and Stella had warned her before to treat them with great caution—like wild animals—when it happened.
    She looked at Stella's beautiful face doubtfully. “You don't really believe I'd ever be in real danger with him, do you?”
    Stella reached out and brushed a piece of hair out of her face. “No, Kate, I don't. But you're mortal and if anything did happen, it couldn't be undone.”
    Right. She sighed and stood up, dreading facing her angry vampire.
    Dom was sprawled in a stuffed chair in their bedroom. She was struck, as always, by his exotic looks. He'd been an Italian count when he was turned nearly 500 years ago, and he still looked every bit like royalty. All vampires have a magnetic beauty, but Dom was extraordinary. Thick dark hair fell to his shoulders and his dark-lashed eyes were hazel, with flecks of warm gold. His presence was all dominant male. He unfolded his elegant legs and stood, glowering at her.
    “I was worried sick about you,” he growled.
    “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just lost track of time.”
    “How is that possible? Did your breasts not tell you it was time to feed your baby?”
    She flushed with shame, the pain of having distressed her baby as devastating as her husband's anger. “I had a couple of glasses of wine, so I didn't notice,” she mumbled. “And then I had to wait for it to wear off so I could drive.”
    Dom looked at her with skepticism. “Why didn't you call me?” he demanded.
    “Honestly, I lost track of time. I had no idea I was there so long.”
    His eyes narrowed. “So which is it? You lost track of time or you had to wait for the wine to wear off?”
    She stared at him in dismay. She was just digging her hole deeper here. “Both, I guess. I just wasn't thinking at all, really. And I didn't know it was so late.”
    “I tried calling you. Four times .”
    “I'm sorry, I guess I just couldn't hear it with the music turned up so loud.”
    “Hmm, you'd been gone from your baby for six hours—two hours longer than you should have been and it didn't occur to you to even check your phone?”
    She felt a tear trip down her face and she didn't bother wiping it. “I'm sorry,” she whispered, her lips trembling.
    “Jesus, Kate!” Dom threw his arms up in the air, looking frustrated. He paced around the room. “It was so unlike you, I really thought something bad had happened. I tried both Stella and Fox and neither of them knew where you were…” he stopped and whirled back at her. His fangs were partially elongated.
    She eyed the fangs, remembering Stella's warning. She took a breath. “May I respectfully request we take a breather from this conversation?” she asked carefully.
    Dom touched the tip of his tongue to one of his fangs. “Good idea,” he said grimly. “Take off your clothes and stand in the corner,” he said, pointing to the corner in question. “And don't move.”
    “Yes, sir,” she said meekly.
    His eyes flickered at that—she had never called him “sir” before—but for some reason it seemed extremely appropriate at the moment. He dematerialized.
    She obeyed his orders, taking off her clothes and standing with her nose to the corner, her nudity amplifying the feeling of vulnerability and exposure. She let go of her attempt at courage and rested her head against the wall and wept.
    Dom opened the door and came in, his fangs back where they belonged, looking calmer. He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Come here, Kate,” he said softly. She went and stood before him, trembling.
    He just looked at her for a long time, which only served to increase her discomfort and