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Chapter 13

Mick gave Beth a pained look at her words.

"I do not want you to be a freshie Beth," Mick said seriously, pulling away from her. He sat up, leaning against the headboard. "You are too important to me for that."

"I was not planning on becoming your dinner but I am curious about the bite. Both Simone and Kira said it can be very exhilarating. That day I saw you tasting Simone…..I think I was a bit jealous. You had shown no interest in my blood after the desert and I began to think that I repelled you," Beth confessed, blushing and pulling the sheet closer around her as she sat up. "Then I saw your lips on her wrist and…"

"You are right, we really do need to talk," Mick smiled at her statement. He gathered her close and kissed her temple. "Your blood does not repel me. If anything, I am afraid you are irresistible to me."

"Really?" Beth asked, pleasure surging through her whole body. She let out a long breath and smiled at him. "That is very good to know. It clears up a number of my concerns."

"I'm sorry we didn't talk about this," Mick apologized softly. "You are right; we need to be more open."

Beth threw her arms around her neck, feeling a weight lift off her heart. She didn't want him to hide things from her and finally he was beginning to agree.

"I love you," she whispered in his ear.

Mick's arms tightened around her, his face buried in her hair. He loved her scent and the feeling of peace that came when he held her.

"You mean everything to me," he confessed in a rough voice.

Beth withdrew from his hold just enough to look him squarely in the eye. She smiled warmly.

"Then you cannot hide things from me Mick. I do not have time to play guessing games," she sighed.

"I will try," he promised solemnly.

"You know, I'd love to spend the rest of the night in your arms but we both have some work to do," Beth said reluctantly. In spite of her words, she snuggled closer to him and a small groan escaped Mick at the contact.

"I hate it when you're right," he growled softly. Kissing her quickly he then said, "Come on; let's see if we can find Christa Boyer before her body turns up in a dumpster." He got out of bed reluctantly and began to gather his clothes together. Beth followed suit knowing he was right, Mick had a girl to find and they should not delay any further starting the search. It was exciting to be working with Mick on a case again and maybe the key to finding Christa would come from information that she could find in Tammi's death.

*M*M*

It was around midnight when Beth found herself stifling a yawn and sat back to rub her tired eyes. She had done every trace she could think of on her laptop but made little headway. She had a list of people to interview tomorrow and see what they could tell her. She looked across the desk to where Mick was scribbling some notes and he raised his eyes as he felt her gaze on him. Instantly he could feel how tired she was.

"Beth, let's call it a night, you have to work tomorrow," he said in concern.

"I had no idea it was this late," Beth said. "I've found all I can on the computer; I need to talk to people tomorrow."

"Yes, so do I. Good thing the forecast calls for overcast skies," Mick said with a quick grin. "Would you like me to drive you home?"

"I have my car," Beth pointed out. "I'll be fine."

"I don't like the idea of you driving tired. I can drive your car and find my own way home. It's no problem Beth," Mick continued to press.

"It's okay Mick. Really it is," she insisted, folding her laptop closed and putting it in her tote with the file. "I'm a big girl, I'll get home safely."

Mick considered arguing but stopped himself. He had to stop thinking of Beth as the girl he saved so long ago. He could tell she was tired but not so exhausted that she couldn't function. And while he wanted nothing more than to take her back upstairs to his new bed, he was not sure if he wanted to be tempted to bite again so soon after their talk. And that reminded him that there was someone else he needed to speak with.

"All right Beth, you will not object to me walking you to your car, will you?" he asked with a smile.

"I have no objections to that," she replied happily.

Mick escorted her to her car and gave her a head spinning kiss good night. For one brief moment he considered following her home but shook off that thought and waved to her as she drove away. Then he headed for his Benz, intent on setting a certain vampire straight on a few things.

*M*M*

Mick parked the Mercedes in the lot next to Dusk to Dawn and headed inside the club. He needed to confront Kira and he hoped he didn't have to go through Josef to do it. Once inside, he found Eli at the bar but there was no sign of Kira. The drive over had not dampened his irritation with Kira's meddling in his life.

"Eli is Kira here and is she alone?" he asked tersely.

"She's in her office and she's alone," Eli confirmed slowly. He could see that Mick's temper was up and the normally pleasant vampire was very annoyed. He was not sure that he wanted to be on the wrong end of Mick's anger. "Go back; I'll let her know you are coming."

Mick nodded curtly and headed back to the office.

"Kira, Mick is coming back and he's not happy. Be on your toes girl," Eli said into the intercom to the office. He chuckled to himself. He had no concern for Kira's safety, Mick would never hurt her but he knew that someone was in for a scolding tonight but he didn't know who it would be.

Kira buzzed open the door when she saw Mick on the hall monitor. He pulled open the door and stood there glowering at her. She smiled at him and rose slowly from her chair.

"Shut the door Mick. I think I know why you are here tonight," she said as she came around the side of the desk and leaned one hip against the edge. "So Beth decided to mention our talk, did she?"

Mick shut the door and advanced into the room. He did not want to fight with her but he was feeling very frustrated. He stopped and ran his hand through his hair before wiping it over his face.

"Just what were you thinking Kira?" he asked harshly.

Kira crossed her arms over her chest and favored him with a stern stare.

"I was thinking that I should answer Beth's questions honestly. Would you prefer that I lie to my friend?" she asked pointedly. Her posture remained still, a lovely sight in her dark green silk blouse and black slacks. She showed no signs of his anger bothering her.

"You told her I wanted to bite during sex," Mick sputtered. "What happened to not discussing my personal life?"

Kira laughed at his indignant expression.

"I did not discuss sex with you per se," she said with a grin. "Beth has not brought up our past. We only discussed human/vampire sex in general and the very real fact that we tend to bite when making love. She needs to understand that Mick. You do her no favors by keeping her in the dark," Kira chided.

"I am not keeping her in the dark," Mick ground out through his teeth. "I do not want to bite Beth," he protested.

Kira could see how very much he wanted to believe his words. She could see the conflict and a surge of pity washed over her. It was so clear that he did not want to bite but that his own vampire nature was beginning to get the upper hand. She crossed over to him and took his hands in hers.

"I know you don't want to bite but you need to be honest with yourself. You are a vampire my friend, you cannot fight your nature. But being a vampire does not mean monster. Beth sees that, why can't you?" she asked softly.

"I know that," he admitted in a low voice, not meeting her gaze. "I feel the urge growing, I can't keep fighting it."

"Am I right that Beth brought the subject up?" Kira asked gently.

"Oh she brought it up all right," Mick replied, bringing his gaze back to her face. "She was very straight forward."

"So…..did you bite?" Kira asked an amused look on her face.

"No!" Mick exclaimed, yanking his hands free of hers. He calmed and looked at her sheepishly. "We did talk."

"That's a start," Kira smiled and taking him by the hand she led him to the couch. She sat and tugged him down beside her. Mick settled on the couch, hands clasped together, forearms resting on his knees.

"I don't want to hurt her," he whispered, staring at the floor.

"And what makes you think you will?" Kira asked curiously. "You love her, you can make it wonderful for her and you know it. If Beth decides she wants to experience a vampire bite, there is no reason you would hurt her," she assured him.

"I don't want to feed on Beth," he stated firmly.

"I don't believe Beth is considering becoming your freshie. I think it's more that she wonders if you are attracted to her blood. She's afraid she repels you," Kira explained.

"So she said," Mick said with a rueful smile. "I told her that was not the case. It's more that I'm afraid I can't control my attraction to her."

"Trust yourself and her Mick. You won't hurt her, you care too much," Kira told him honestly. She touched his shoulder lightly.

Mick smiled at the lovely woman at his side, aware that she had always tried to ease the misgivings he had about what he was. She had never failed to make him feel better. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

"What did I do to deserve your friendship?" he asked.

"You are a good man my friend," she answered hugging him in return. Slowly she withdrew from his embrace and kissed his cheek. "Relax, be your true self with Beth and you will be happy. I'm sure of it."

Mick nodded and smile at her.

"Thanks Kira, that means a lot."

End chapter.

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