Part 29 (2/2)

”She's drunk,” Severo hissed as Ivan joined his side.

”It'll be that way the first few times she takes human blood,” the vampire said. ”It's overwhelming in so many ways. She is not used to it and needs to be cautioned not to take too much, or she might accidentally kill.”

”Christ.”

”If you love her, you'll go with her the next few times.”

”I can't do that.”

”Then she will kill.” Ivan strode off.

And Severo beat a fist against the brick wall.

Chapter 22.

F or the first time in ninety years he was prepared to welcome a longtooth into his home.

Not exactly prepared. How did one prepare for such a thing? Since his hatred against them was so ingrained, he wasn't sure it could ever be truly siphoned from his blood.

Severo drove the Mercedes toward home. On the pa.s.senger seat, Bella lolled in a blissful state as the blood swoon lingered. Her skirt was hiked high on her thighs-another inch and she'd reveal things only he should see. He liked those long, slender gams.

Better, he liked imagining what lay beneath the flirty ruffles.

And that image gave him hope that it was all going to be all right. He still desired her. Nothing has changed, he repeated silently.

”Ivan said you should drink once more before going home tonight. That it would sate you for at least a week.”

”Sounds good to me,” she offered sweetly.

She was no longer silly drunk, but relaxed and in a strangely heightened state, what he'd normally call arousal.

”This may be cruel, but I have to ask,” he said. ”Do you get off on it?”

She sighed. So much pleasure in that sigh. ”You know vampires swoon from the blood.”

Yes. He also knew the swoon was o.r.g.a.s.mic. And surely she and Ivan must have shared some swoons. His grip tightened on the steering wheel.

”But get off?” she said. ”No. That would imply I get some kind of thrill from a stranger. It merely serves a need. Though I had wished you were standing beside me instead of Ivan.”

For a moment, he had wished the same thing. Because standing at the end of the alleyway, listening to his lover's sweet coaxing and the human's moans, Severo had gotten hard. From the temptation Bella offered with her sighs and touches. From the kiss he'd struggled to label sweet when he knew it was now dangerous.

”Let's go down Poplar.” She pointed out the street. ”It's not far from where I used to live. It's quiet, but we may find a college kid walking around this late.”

In the quiet neighborhood, they found a new development. Bella approached an acceptable candidate with the same sensual daring she'd exhibited downtown.

Severo parked and followed, but by the time he gained on them, Bella was holding the man close in front of a green Dumpster in an alleyway. Blood scent filled the air. Both her hands on the rim of the Dumpster, she sucked at his neck. The guy initially stroked his hands over her hips, but quickly his hands dropped to his sides and he let out a long, appreciative moan.

His jaw tensing, Severo forced himself not to interfere. The guy was giving blood, so he deserved the swoon. And he wouldn't get far with Bella if he did try to put the moves on her.

Was this what his life had become? He must accompany his lover each time she sought blood in order to ensure no one touched her overtly?

h.e.l.l, he'd have to get used to it. He couldn't go along every time. It would kill him. And it wouldn't be fair to her.

Bella needed this. And he grew hard as he imagined stroking the hair away from his lover's face to reveal her blissed-out expression.

Yet he could not touch her. He didn't want to disturb her. He didn't want to touch what he could not approve of.

Christ, but he breathed as heavily as she did. When the unconscious victim slipped from her and settled onto the ground, Bella remained, leaning against the Dumpster, hands fitted to the rim, her legs spread.

She smirked and licked her lips. There was no blood. She was surprisingly neat.

”Ivan taught me the persuasion,” she said. ”Makes them forget I was ever here.”

Looking over her arm at him, she sent him an air kiss.

”Don't look at me all judgmental like that,” she said.

”I'm not judging you, sweet.” It wasn't worth the wasted thought. Besides, he'd gone beyond that. Her bold and s.e.xy position had made him consider taking her from behind. ”I'm admiring you. A gorgeous vixen of the night.”

”You're turned on?”

”Yes.”

Before she could react, he stepped up close behind her, b.u.mping her, and placed his hands over hers on the Dumpster. He fit his erection against her derriere, pressing, making her know what watching her had done to him. Kissing down the back of her neck, he bit at the thin fabric covering her torso and licked along her shoulder.

Sliding a hand up her thigh, he swept his fingers across her silken skin and found her panties. The lace, crisp and barely there, gave easily at his tug. She wasn't wet-which pleased him; the act of taking blood was not so s.e.xual, after all-but with but a few flicks of his fingers, she was there.

Stroking her and rubbing his erection against her, he brought her to a swift o.r.g.a.s.m. Her quiet murmurs entered his ears as music.

Her shudders he drew into his body. He hadn't come, but he didn't need to. Experiencing her bliss did it for him.

”I'll take you home now,” he said, and lifted her into his arms and carried her away.

A light dusting of snow whitened the brown gra.s.s behind the mansion. Bella had headed right for the shower, mumbling something about brus.h.i.+ng her teeth.He'd done it. Watched his lover take blood from another man.

And it had turned him on. How sick was that?

Or was it sick? He'd shared an intimate new part of Bella. Something she would keep private from the world, except for him. He could only love her for allowing him to witness her new ritual.

And he did love her. That would never change. But right now it felt tenuous. Yes, he was unsure. Would she want to bite him?

And how could he refuse her when he knew the one thing vampires required to become close to their mates was sharing blood?

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