Chapter 71: Family Reunion, Part 3

I couldn't believe he was laughing at me. I shrank into the mattress, praying it would swallow me whole.

"Chloe, honey." He gently removed my hands from my face, but I couldn't look at him. I was too mortified. Too bad for me, he wasn't willing to let me get away with that. "Look at me." Gently clutching my chin, he turned me to face him. "Whenever you're ready for that" - his lips twitched as if he wanted to smile - "you let me know, okay?"

"Okay." My voice barely squeaked out. I cleared my throat. "So, you've. . . done it before?"

"Yes." This time, he did smile, his amusement evident in his gaze.

"Right. That was a stupid question. I'm sorry."

He was a hundred-plus-year-old vampire; of course, he wasn't a virgin. I couldn't believe I'd asked him that. What was wrong with me?

"I take it you haven't," he said carefully, as if he was afraid of my answer. Or my reaction.

"No. Is that a problem?" I cringed.

"Not for me."