*This is only a sample of Red Dream (book 3 of the Vampire Files Trilogy available on Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Vampire-Files-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B07FK3XZG6/

The lights begin to dim, and the performance begins. From across the theater, a flash of white draws my gaze from the empty stage. For a split second, I thought I saw the man from my dream. As the lights continue to dim I blink several times, then look again but I can no longer see that far in the darkness.

Is my mind playing tricks on me? With the performance about to begin, I dismiss the notion entirely. Seconds later I'm captivated by the story of desperate love as told in the Phantom of the Opera.

By the time the curtain falls on the final act, I'm at the edge of my seat, gripping Adam's hand like a lifeline. Tears run down my face from the tsunami of emotions pulled through me by the talented actors. I don't even care if I look like a racoon, but I'm grateful when Adam slips a handkerchief into my hand. The curtain rises and I join the audience as they erupt in applause.

This goes on for some time as the actors come out one by one and two by two to take their bow. When people start to disburse, and leave their seats, I finally remember that I'm here with Adam. I find him watching me with such intensity I suddenly feel shy. I quickly sit down to tell him how much I loved the performance, how moving the music was, and how grateful I am that he gave me this experience.

Adam's eyes are ablaze with preternatural light, and my breath catches at the passion shining from them. Before I can tell him all the things I want to say, he does something I'm not expecting.

Adam moves smoothly out of his seat, dropping onto one knee before me. I sniff and blink at him.

There's a new look in his eyes and the intensity of it makes my breath catch.

"Samantha Lewis, will you throw caution and reason to the wind to be my bride, my wife?"

Holy sh...

I gasp, and my hand covers my mouth. My eyes must be as big as saucers. My head spins and I feel light headed. A small insecure part of me doesn't believe this is real. So many emotions slam me at once—shock, elation, fear, nervousness, happiness, and even doubt.

I can't breathe. I'm going to pass out!

"Breathe, Samantha. You're turning blue." His calm voice and gentle smile only ads fuel to the fire.

"Is this for real?" I manage to choke out, half expecting him to admit it isn't. Adam's gaze never wavers as his eyes burn—waiting for my answer. He's serious!

For the first time, I realize Adam's not confident of my reply. In my heart, I know that I've wanted this even before my mind would allow me to consider the possibility.

"I do believe it's customary to give a yes or no answer at this point," he says, giving me that barely-there smile—the one that has the power to unravel me.

I take a huge gasp of air through my tears. "Adam," I breathe. "I don't know what to say. I'm in shock. Are you really doing this?" I look at him in disbelief.

"The suspense is killing me. Is the answer yes or no?" he teases. But I can see that he's still unsure of himself.

"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!" I exclaim.

I'm in his arms the next second as his lips crush mine. After a long deep kiss that seems to stop time, I pull back, and smile up at him through my tears. I'm sure I look a mess, but I'd never know it from the look in his eyes. Adam gives me the biggest smile I've ever seen on his handsome face, and my heart melts. For the first time since I've known him, his face isn't guarded, hard, smug or cruel. He looks human... and happy. Did I do that?

He pulls back and holds me at arm's length before reaching into his jacket pocket. He pulls out a small black velvet box. With a lump forming in my throat. Adam opens the box to reveal a breathtaking ring—a princess cut diamond lays in a cluster of smaller rubies.

Adam's eyes never leave mine as he reaches up and pulls my hand away from my mouth to slowly slide the ring onto my finger.

Tears began anew. He seriously could have given me a bubblegum wrapper at this point. But, damn, that ring is stunning. Somehow, I managed to fall in love with one of the most complicated men to walk the Earth.

"You are my world, Samantha. I'll be by your side always. Nevertheless, it's important that you consider this carefully. A life with me will... limit you in ways you may not have pondered." Adam's mood sobers a bit.

"I understand that you won't be lying in the sun, on a white sandy beach with me during our honeymoon, if that's what you mean." I tease. "I'll be satisfied with early morning coffee and moonlit walks," I say. "I suppose I'll have to become more of a night owl which might work well for my job." Being married to a vampire will surely affect my schedule. I guess pulling the night shift will work with my PI business.

"It's not merely the sun, Samantha. I know you've been told that I can never give you children. You are still young and should fully consider what our union would deny you," he says, his tone serious. "Even I felt the loss of being denied the pleasure of being a father." A shadow crosses his face for a moment.

I've suspected that losing his wife Katherine, and the baby she carried has left a deep scar on Adam. Reaching up to touch his face, I look at him hard. "If I really want children there are so many that need a home. I don't need childbirth to make me a mother, Adam. We could give a child a home, if ever I develop a maternal urge," I say, winking.

Adam throws his head back and laughs a real laugh. "Give it some thought." He hugs me to him, and I feel all the words he doesn't say. "What sort of wedding would you have?" he asks.

Tilting my head to the side, I consider his question. "I don't want a big wedding. Just our closest friends and... friends," I laugh. "Neither of us has a family, so... I don't want a traditional wedding with the huge princess dress or anything like that. Just a small, intimate evening, if that's okay with you." I look at him hopefully.

"You may still have a grandmother," he says.

His reminder of my suspicious grandmother dampens my joyful mood, somewhat.

"You would have to bring that up. Are you trying to spoil this moment?" I fake an annoyed look.

Ignoring my question, he takes my hand and leads me out of the intimacy of our private balcony and down the stairs to the crowded and less romantic atmosphere of the lobby. We walk in silence. It's a surreal moment as we emerge into the noise of the main floor. All my senses are still heightened by the emotional performance and the epic event that followed. My mind races with possibilities for the future--something, I've rarely made time for.

When we reach the lobby, Adam prompts me, "We should postpone wedding plans until you've had the chance to sort out this situation with your grandmother."

It doesn't escape me that he already believes her claim is valid. He's merely humoring me and my notion of proving her a fraud. Adam retrieves my coat from the woman behind a counter and helps me into it. He takes advantage of this by placing a kiss on the back of my neck.

We exit the building, and cold air blows the loose curls of hair across my face. Adam pulls me into the shadows behind a tall column.

"I'm not certain I can wait any longer. If it is possible, I want you more than ever," Adam says, burying his head in my neck and trailing demanding kisses everywhere his lips touch.

My head swims with desire. It's going to be impossible to control myself knowing how he feels and that this is forever. It's what I've waited for, prayed for, hoped for.

He's right, of course. There are parts of my life that need to be rectified so that I'm free to move forward—with him.

"I feel the same. This will be difficult, waiting for forever to begin, but we've made it this far," I say, without conviction. "Surely, we can make it to the wedding night." I reach up to kiss his addictive lips, again.

His mouth moves to my ear. "You will be the death of me Samantha Lewis. One way or another." He pulls back, and I gaze into his eyes and find amusement. "I've got nothing but time, but we will leave for England as soon as possible. Do you have a passport?"

My heart jumps with excitement—Europe just became a priority for both of us. And the man with the white hair that I may or may not have seen earlier in the theater, is a forgotten thought floating like a feather on the wind.

But what comes up, always comes back down.

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