Part 35 (2/2)
”You deserve so much better than me,” he told her, reverence in his voice and in his bright, amber -flecked gray gaze. ”You know the demons in me. Can you love me-would you have me-even though you know my weakness?”
She cupped his strong jaw in her palm, letting him see the love she held for him reflecting in her eyes. ”You're never weak, Lucan. And I will love you no matter what. Together we can get past anything.”
”You make me believe that. You've given me hope.” Lovingly, he caressed her arm, her shoulder, her cheek. His gaze roamed over her face, following the reverent path of his hands. ”My G.o.d, you are so exquisite. You could have any male, Breed or human-”
”You're the only one I want.”
He smiled. ”G.o.d help you, but I will have no other. I 've never wanted anything so selfishly as I want this moment. Be mine, Gabrielle.”
”I am.”
He swallowed, glancing down as if suddenly uncertain. ”I'm talking about forever. I can't settle for anything less. Gabrielle, will you have me as your mate?”
”Forever and always,” she whispered, leaning back onto the bed and bringing him down with her. ”I am yours, Lucan, forever and always.” They kissed again, and when they drew apart this time, Lucan reached for a slim gold dagger lying on the table next to the bed.
He brought it toward his face. Gabrielle started a bit, seeing him bring the edge of the blade up to his mouth. ”Lucan-”
His eyes were soft, serious, yet tender as he held her anxious gaze. ”You've given me your blood to heal me. You strengthen me and protect me. You are all that I ever want, all that I could ever need.”
She'd never heard him speak so solemnly. His irises just about glowed, the pale gray mingling with amber and the depth of his emotion.
”Gabrielle, will you honor me now and take my blood to complete our bond?”
Her voice was the barest gasp. ”Yes.”
Lucan bowed his head and moved the dagger to his lower lip. When he set the blade aside and looked at her once more, his mouth was glossy with dark red blood.
”Come here. Let me love you now,” he said, and pressed his scarlet kiss to her lips.
Nothing could have prepared her for that first sweet taste of Lucan's blood.
Richer than wine, instantly intoxicating, his blood flowed over her tongue like an elixir crafted for the G.o.ds. She felt all of Lucan's love pouring into her, all of his power and strength. Light filled her from deep within, giving her a taste of the future that awaited her as Lucan's Breedmate. Happiness flooded her, leaving her flushed with its heat, and a feeling of contentment like she had never known before.
She felt desire, too.
More intense than it had ever been.
With a low growl of need, Gabrielle braced her hand against Lucan's bare chest and rolled him onto his back. She stripped out of her clothes in little more than an instant and climbed on top of him, straddling his hips between her thighs.
His s.e.x thrust up in front of her, thick and solid as stone. The beautiful web of markings on his skin were deep purple shot with vivid red, pulsing in stronger hues as she gazed upon him in hunger. Gabrielle leaned down and let her tongue trace along the swirling, intricate lines that decorated him from thigh to navel, and higher, up his muscled chest and shoulders.
He was hers.
The thought was fiercely possessive, primal. She had never wanted him more than she did in that moment. She was panting and wet, burning up with the need to mount him and ride him hard.
G.o.d, was this what Savannah meant when she said the blood-bond would enhance lovemaking?
Gabrielle looked at Lucan with pure carnal need, hardly knowing where to begin with him. She wanted to devour him, wors.h.i.+p him, use him up. Slake the coiling need that was churning inside of her.
”You should have warned me you were feeding me an aphrodisiac.”
Lucan grinned up at her. ”And spoil the surprise?”
”Laugh it up, vampire.” Gabrielle arched a brow, then gripped his stiff erection and sheathed him to the hilt in one long move.
”You just promised me eternity, you know. I can make you live to regret it.”
”Yeah?” The word was more of a strangled groan as she rocked on him, making his hips buck sharply beneath her. Eyes blazing now, he gave her a glimpse of fang as he smiled, clearly enjoying his torture. ”Breedmate, I'm going to love seeing you try.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With family roots stretching back to the Mayflower, author Lara Adrian lives with her husband in coastal New England, surrounded by centuries' old graveyards, hip urban comforts, and the endless inspiration of the broody Atlantic Ocean. To learn more about Lara and her novels, please visit .
Read on for a preview of Lara Adrian's next novel in her heart-stopping Midnight Breed series... .
by LARA ADRIAN
Kiss of Crimson
CHAPTER Three
Tess came awake with a start.
s.h.i.+t. How long had she been dozing? She was in her office, s.h.i.+va 's case file open beneath her cheek on the desk. Last she recalled, she'd fed the malnourished tiger and put it back in its containment so she could begin writing up her findings. That was- she glanced at her watch-two and a half hours ago? It was now a few minutes before 3 A.M. She was due back in the clinic at 7 o'clock.
Tess groaned around a big yawn and a stretch of her cramped arms.
Good thing she woke up before Nora reported back to work, or she'd never hear the end of- A loud b.u.mp sounded from somewhere in the back of the clinic.
What the h.e.l.l?
Had she been jolted out of her sleep by a similar noise a minute ago?
Oh, jeez. Of course. Ben must have driven past and saw the lights on in the clinic. It wouldn't be the first time he'd come around on a late-night drive-by to check in on her. She really didn't feel like getting a lecture on her crazy hours, or her stubborn streak of independence.
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