Exist (Vampire Assassin League Book 30) by Jackie Ivie

If this material got saturated, she’d have a hard time moving at all.
    He stopped at a building edge. Knelt onto a knee and settled her atop his upraised thigh, inches away. Rain had plastered his dark hair to his skull. Rivulets drained down his pecs from where strips of hair clung to his shoulders. He was beyond gorgeous. He looked big, dark, sexy...
    Dangerous.
    Her heart gave a twinge. His eyes widened.
    Oh shit.
    He hadn’t experienced that, too, had he? His words answered that. And her heart gave another lurch.
    “I like your train of thought, lioban. If we had time. And a suitable spot. I would very much like to show you.”
    “Um. Anso?”
    “Yes.”
    “It’s not what you think.”
    He leaned forward to peer around the building edge. Straightened. Looked back at her.
    “Is he still there?” Leah asked.
    He nodded.
    “I’m going to hamper this rescue, aren’t I?”
    “No.”
    “You should put me down. I’ll be fine.”
    “Your skirt is too long. You’ll trip.”
    “Who says I’ll be moving anywhere?”
    One of his eyebrows lifted.
    “I wouldn’t. I’d stay right here. Honest.”
    “No.”
    “Come on, Anso. I don’t even know where I am! And look at me. I’m dressed like a—. A—. Oh! I don’t know. A medieval princess or something.”
    “You look beautiful.”
    “Oh. Of course I do. To you. You’re the guy who stocked all the wardrobe closets with really low-cut dresses that belong in a Renaissance Fair! And this shawl is useless! Look. It’s pretty much see-through when wet.”
    “You did not wish to bring your jacket.”
    “That’s because it’s not mine. It belongs to Steven. My colleague. Or – he was my colleague. Remind me to send it to him if I don’t wake up from this, okay?”
    He grunted again.
    “You know, I have a doctorate in psychology. You’d think I’d have the wits to envision efficient attire if I’m going to hallucinate! Especially if I’m going to be running through a forest in pouring rain, and traipsing through some heretofore unknown and secret deserted Soviet military complex! That would be the smart move. I need cargo pants! Hiking boots. Thermal Henley. A water-resistant, fleece-lined jacket. With a hood. Yeah. That would work. And I have all that in my closet. I even bought short men’s sizes, so I wouldn’t have to go through a fat lady catalog to get them big enough. The outfit is brand new. Never worn – except for the jacket. One of my exes was the outdoorsy type. So I pretended.”
    He regarded her for long moments. “Why do you speak of all this?”
    “I’m hoping it will trigger a wardrobe change.”
    He shook his head. “How so? And why? You look very beautiful . ”
    “The translation of that is I look ridiculous.”
    “No. Perfect. But, I do apologize. You are a bit smaller than I anticipated. Everything will be too lengthy for you . ”
    “Excuse me? Am I hearing right? You anticipated ?”
    “We are told about mates. I envisioned mine. I ordered all manner of attire, but you never arrived. So I gave up. Centuries ago.” He looked around the corner again, his hand slowly reaching behind his back. “Have you ever handled a weapon?”
    Her mouth had opened to start the denial, but he’d pulled a sharp dagger from the back of his trousers, silencing her. It had a black leather grip. A really long blade. Jagged-looking edges along one side. Looked extremely lethal. He held it out to her. Leah lifted both hands in the universal sign of defeat.
    “This is too much for me, Anso. I mean, really. I’m a doctor of psychology. I don’t do death and dismemberment. The most I’ve handled is a cooking knife. The occasional steak knife.”
    He secured the knife back behind him. “Very well. I will handle it. You stay at my side.”
    “Can’t I just stay here?”
    He gave her an unfathomable look. She tried desperately to keep her heart from beating any faster. Modulated her breath. Didn’t even attempt a swallow. She didn’t even