The Auction
Chapter 38

Draco POV

I spend the day getting ready for my date with Tatina tonight. I wanteverything to be perfect for us tonight. No auction business, no othervampires or anything intruding just Tatina and I. I want to cook for herand make love to her. I want more than anything for her to say yes shewill marry me. I want her to be my partner forever.

I have purchased all of her favorite things. This would be so mucheasier if I let the staff prepare our meal, but she wants me to cook forher. I have not cooked for her in a long time.

I did cheat and have my cook make Tatina a cheesecake. I could not dothat no matter how hard I try. The steaks and vegetables, I can grill noproblem. She can have cheesecake for desert and I will have her.

What is she says no? At least she will finally give me an answer. Nomatter what she says tonight, I will never stop loving her. She has noidea what she has done for me.

I never thought in a million years I could love someone like her. Shebrings out something in me that I did not even know existed. I am anold vampire. I have been around a long time. Love has never beensomething I thought much about. With her, I want to love her for aslong as I live.

“How's it coming?” Tatina sneaks up behind me to ask.

I turn around, kiss her softly. “It is torture, we have staff. I could bemaking love to you while they cook,” I say.

“It is special to me when you cook for me,” Tatina says.

“Then I have to confess that I did not make the cheesecake,” I say.“Thank goodness, you make a horrible cheesecake,” Tatina says.

“Hey! You ate it the last time I made you one,” I say.

“No I did not. I threw it out when you left the house and told you I ateit,” Tatina says.

It is so good to see her in good spirits. I pull her in close to me. I kissher forehead. “I love you so much,” I say.

“I know you do. I love you too,” Tatina says.

“Good then marry me,” I say to her.

“No fair, we are supposed to discuss this tonight over dinner,” Tatinasays.

“I know, but I need an answer,” I say.

“You will get one,” Tatina says.

Surely she is not toying with me all day just to say no. It would breakmy heart into a million pieces if she did that to me. I love her more thanI ever knew possible. I only want to make her happy.

I continue working on our magical night through the afternoon. Shestays hidden. I wonder what she is up to. I put the finishing touches ondinner. I set everything out on the table. I light candles for us. I want tochange clothes before my beautiful date comes down to eat with me.When I get to the bottom of the stairs she is coming down wearing themost beautiful baby blue dress. She hair is down and flowing to herhips. She curled it and pinned a few strands back in braids.

“You look beautiful,” I say as she continues down the stairs to me.

I cannot say anything else. I am blown away by the effort she put intoour night.

“I need to change,” I say.

“No, stay like that, I plan on getting you out of your clothes ratherquickly,” Tatina says.

“Yes ma'am,” I say to her.

I take her hand to walk her to the dining room table. I cannot stopstaring at her.

“Stop it, you have seen me dressed up before,” Tatina says.

“I have, but tonight it is different,” I say.

“Why is that?” Tatina asks

“Tonight you are doing it all for me,” I say.

I pull out her chair, she sits down, and I push her up to the table. I pourher a glass of wine. I fix her plate with everything I know she loves. I setthe plate down in front of her.

“Thank you Draco, you are always so kind to me,” Tatina says.

“You are most welcome, my lady,” I say.

I pour myself a glass of wine and some food. I sit down next to her. Shelooks amazing tonight.

“I know you hate when I stare at you, but Tatina, you look so beautiful,”I say to her.

“Stop it,” She says

“Have you decided?” I ask her.

“Why do you want to marry me? We are happy the way we are, aren'twe?" Tatina asks me.

“I am, we are, but I want more,” I say to her.

“You know that I do not want to have children,” Tatina says.

“I know and that is fine. We have a very hectic lifestyle. I do not thinkchildren would fit in. If you ever decide that you did want children, Ithink we would need to reevaluate how we live,” I say.

“I like our life and what we do. I do not think children would fit in tothat ever,” Tatina says.

“I agree with that completely. Is that what you are worried about?Tatina I have been on this earth a long time. The thought of havingchildren has never crossed my mind. I am happy with us beingtogether. You are all I need,” I say.

"Okay that is out of the way,” Tatina says.

“Next obstacle?” I ask.

“Why do you love me so much?” Tatina asks.

“I cannot answer that. I have no idea. I love how brave you are. I loveyou period. I love everything about you. I love you temper. I love yourkindness," I say.

“I feel the same way about you. Ever since that first night after werescued all those women from that horrible auction. You took me inyour arms and I knew right then that I loved you. You made love to mefor the first time that night,” Tatina says.

“Then you cried for hours and I felt like a pig for touching you,” I say.“I am sorry. I told you why. You were so gentle. I never had that before,”Tatina says.

I get out of my chair. I kneel in front of her.

“I am going to ask you one last time. No matter what you say I will notask again. Will you marry me?” I ask her.