He flipped her onto her back. “I want you to feed. No more waiting. I know you’re nervous about your first time but you’re weak and it concerns me.”
“I don’t know about this.” She crinkled her nose and tried to turn her face away. Oh no. There was no turning back from this. She had to follow through with this part too.
“You must if you want to ensure that we’ve bonded as mates. That is what you want, isn’t it?” What if it wasn’t? He didn’t how he’d respond to that kind of rejection at this stage.
“But I’ve never drunk blood before.”
He cupped her cheeks. “Are you sure you haven’t changed your mind?” Fear licked at the edges of his heart.
“Of course not. I want to be yours, always.” She reached for him without hesitation. Relief washed over him as she embraced him.
“Don’t be nervous. You know why?”
Have to tell her.
“Why.” She stared at him.
“Because I love you and I promise you won’t regret it if you trust me.” Those three words weren’t easy for him to say. But he hoped it would show her he was serious about his commitment to her.
“Dane—I-I love you too.”
He watched her fight back tears and it alarmed him. “If you love me, babe, then what’s the problem?” This wasn’t how he’d imagined her response would be.
“I’m really happy.” She threw her arms around his neck.
“Kiss me,” he murmured. She met his mouth with a seeking tongue and he surged forward, claiming her pussy again.
Her tight heat drove his pleasure even higher as he withdrew and plunged into her sex again. At this pace he wasn’t going to last much longer. Her body, as always, felt too good. But it was much more than their physical joining. She was the missing puzzle piece he’d been searching for without truly realizing it until now.
“Are you ready to do this?”
“I am.”
He turned his head to give her access to the vein at his neck. “Pierce my skin right here.”
“Okay.” Her voice sounded nervous and he sensed her hesitation as he lowered his neck to rest against her mouth. He shivered with anticipation as her heated breath tickled his skin. Her tongue slowly licked the surface as he held still and waited. “That’s it. Don’t be afraid.”
He orgasmed the moment her fangs sank into his flesh, his hips grinding into her as he pumped frantically.
Mm…” She latched on to his neck.
Pleasure jolted through him and his eyes rolled back. Raw ecstasy tore through his lower half, causing his balls to draw up tight. He shot his release as wave after wave swept over him. “Jenny…”
He shuddered and convulsed as she drew his blood down her throat in greedy tugs. Never had he experienced an orgasm quite as powerful as this one. Jenny soon followed, milking his cock inside her velvet heat. She finally stilled, withdrawing her fangs from the side of his neck.
She ran her fingers along the side of his throat. “Did I hurt you? I kind of tore the skin.” Her expression of concern touched him.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll teach you how to bite without tearing the skin. If you lick the wounds they should heal faster.”
Jenny slowly ran her tongue back and forth along the wound. The pleasure it brought was instant. “Is that better?”
“No harm done. I heal quickly.” He licked the blood from her lips. When she opened to him, he kissed her fiercely and with all the emotions that had been building inside him, waiting to be released.
“Your blood tastes good. I could’ve kept drinking it. The pleasure that washed over me was amazing. Not to mention everything else that’s changed.”
“Tell me what’s changed.” He wanted to know her thoughts. What she was feeling.
She lifted up and ran her nose along his jaw. “Well for starters, your scent is much stronger and it turns me on. Mm…which is something I’ve always enjoyed. Plus, I can’t explain it but I’m more in tune with what’s around me. Does that make sense?” she asked.
“It’s because my blood flows inside you and we are one. Your abilities will sharpen even more with time.”
“I want more…is that bad?” She was flush against him from breast to heel, her luscious curves arousing his desire once more.
Hell no, it wasn’t bad.
“Go ahead. How about I make love to you again while we’re at it? I’m still hard.” He rocked his hips forward.
“That’s very tempting but I should probably call Marley first.” She chewed on her bottom lip. He could tell she was struggling not to give in to her hunger. Her friend must’ve been very important for her to refuse him in her newly transformed state.
“Very well, I’ll get the phone.” He slowly withdrew from her heat, drawing a moan from her. He smiled and gave her a quick kiss before he climbed off the bed.
“No fair.” She frowned.
“After you’ve placed that call, you’ll need to feed again.” He winked.
“Do I still get to drink from you or, um, from your blood bank supply?”
“Which way do you prefer?”
“You, but maybe I shouldn’t. What if I prefer it? I wouldn’t want to attack someone.”
“Not a chance of that happening. We’re mated. You won’t succumb to bloodlust drinking from me.”
“It’s more pleasurable with you, babe.”
“I agree, there’s no comparison. You taste delicious.”
She blushed when he gave her a heated look. If he had his way he’d keep her naked and writhing beneath him for as long as possible.
“I’ll get the phone.” He picked up his pants to retrieve a small silver phone from the pocket and gave it to her.
“Thank you for doing this for me.”
“You’re welcome. I’m going downstairs to feed. I’ll give you a few minutes to speak in private. Do not give her any information beyond the fact that you are okay. Do you understand me?”
“I won’t.” She nodded. “Hey, don’t fill up on too much bagged blood.”
“I’m doing it for your benefit, not mine.” He smiled.
She watched him leave the room. He had the best damn body she’d ever seen. The memory of his blood and him taking her the way he had…
Okay, get a grip. You have to focus.
She stared at the phone. What the hell was she going to tell her friend?
Hi, Marley. Yes, I’m fine. No, I can’t tell you where I am.
Yeah right. Like that was really going to fly with Marley, whom she shared everything with. Jenny fell back on the pillow with a sigh.
“I’ll have to come up with something to tell her,” Jenny realized as she dialed the number. The phone rang a few times and then silence. She heard breathing on the other end. “Marley, is that you?”
“Jenny?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
She’s pissed.
“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for over a week.”
“Um…I’m on vacation with a friend.” Jenny grimaced. She was a terrible liar.
“Who’s your friend?” Marley’s voice was terse.
“It’s no one you know. I’m glad I called though. I figured you might be worried if you couldn’t get a hold of me.” She tried to laugh to lighten the mood between them.
“You think this is a joke? What the fuck? I was worried sick about you. You take off. No one knows where you are. Your employer won’t tell me anything. I’m freaking out because I’m worried you’re dead in a ditch somewhere. No voicemail message. You don’t return my calls and you act like it’s no big deal. Ha, ha, Jenny, very funny. I’m not laughing.”
“I wasn’t trying to make a joke. I was only trying to lighten the mood. You’re not my mother, Marley, so chill out.” Jenny was getting irritated. This went far beyond being worried. She didn’t need to ask permission to go somewhere. The last she checked, she was an adult.
“You’re right. But you didn’t tell anyone. I was going crazy with worry, thinking something bad happened. Excuse the fuck out of me for caring about you.”
“I’m on vacation, is that okay with you?” Her friend’s hostility wasn’t expected.
“I don’t care that you’re out of town but you could’ve left me a message, is all I’m saying. How would you feel if I did that to you?”
Shit, she has a point.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. We’re talking now so there’s no need to worry anymore. How was your trip? Did you have a good time with your family?”
“My trip was good.” It was clear she was still pissed and couldn’t let it go.
Jenny tried again. “Well that’s great. Did you guys do anything fun?”
“We did the usual sightseeing stuff, nothing special. Quit trying to change the subject. I’m still mad at you.”
“I don’t want to fight. How’s your family doing?” This wasn’t going well but at least her friend was safe.
“They’re great.”
“Did you get that job you wanted?”
“Well, it’s funny that you mentioned it. It fell through. But I got another one.” Sarcasm was heavy in her tone.
“That’s wonderful. Where?”
“I’m working as an analyst for General Electric.”
“Do you like it?”
Wow, she’s pissed.
“It’s fine, I guess. I haven’t been working there very long.”
“How’s the commute?” She had hoped small talk might bring her friend back around because she hated it when Marley was mad at her.
“I take the subway to work.” There was more sarcasm.
“They have those in California?” Her eyebrows scrunched together.
“No, but they do have them in Manhattan.”
“You’re in New York? When did you arrive?”
Oh shit. Not good.
“I’ve been in town for a few days. If you had checked your damn messages and gotten back to me, you would’ve known by now.” She sounded cold and distant.
“I’m so sorry, Marley. You’re right. I should have checked my messages. Damn, I’m so sorry.” What could she say? I’ve been shacking up with a vampire?
“You should be sorry.”
“I know you’re mad But wow, Marley, I am so happy for you.” She really was happy for her. Too bad she wouldn’t be able to share it with her in person. The reality of her new life finally hit home for her. Damn.
“Are you?”
“Of course I am.” This was going to get ugly before it got better. Marley’s feelings were obviously hurt. Maybe her friend was worried that she’d taken a job here and now Jenny wouldn’t be around. And unfortunately she wasn’t far off on her assumption.
“Wonderful. If that’s true, get your ass back here and let’s go celebrate like old times.”
“I’d love to celebrate the new job with you when I get back.”
“Which will be when?”
“I don’t know. Pretty soon.” She hated lying. But there was nothing else she could do to save face under the circumstances.
“You’re such a bad liar. Quit bullshitting me. Where the hell are you?”
“I wish I could say but I can’t. It shouldn’t be much longer though, I promise.”
“You’re scaring me. Why are you calling from a blocked number? Are you in trouble? Is your family after you or something?” Her friend had always been a bull in a china shop when she wanted answers. No didn’t always work with her. However, this time Jenny had no choice. She couldn’t tell Marley where she was no matter how much she wanted to.
“Can’t you just trust me?”
“Trust is a two-way street. I’m supposed to be your best friend and you’re not telling me shit. Where’s your trust in me, huh?”
“That’s not fair.” Ouch, that hurt. Marley was right. She was holding back. They trusted each other and lying to her was like betraying something sacred between them. But what choice did she have in the matter?
The last four years would have been quite different if Marley hadn’t been in the picture. She was the type of friend who encouraged Jenny when she wanted to give up. Loyal when others weren’t. Brought her ice cream, movies and a box of tissues when the man she loved broke her heart. And she’d never pushed Jenny past her breaking point until now.
Why?
“You have a lot of nerve to say that to me.”
Please forgive me for what I’m about to do.
“I have to go.”
Dane entered the room.
“What? Don’t you dare hang up on me!”
“I’ll call you again soon. Bye.” A lump formed in her throat and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Jenny, you better not—”
She shut the phone off without saying another word.
Crap, crap, crap.
“This is great.” She shook her head and dropped the phone on the bed. Marley wasn’t going to let this go. But there was nothing she could do to fix it now.
“It sounds like that conversation didn’t go so well,” Dane commented warily.
“Aren’t we observant?” Part of her wanted to blame someone and he was the closest target.
“Do you want to talk about it?” He came over and sat on the edge of the bed.
“What’s there to talk about? She’s angry at me.” She shrugged. Her tone was bitchy but right now she didn’t care. This sucked. No pun intended.
“You told her you were safe, right?”