Page 25 of Born into Blood

“My mom won’t like it.” She hesitates, and I can tell she wants to say more but stops herself before the words can slip out.

“Why won’t she like it?” I press, wanting to know what the hell is going on. “How old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

“And she would have a problem with you showing up with me?”

She pets Pip, looking like she’d rather be anywhere than right here with me, having this conversation in her parking garage at midnight.

“She’s not well.”

“If she’s sick, why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I mean not well in the head,” she admits softly. “She has a few problems, and she can’t ever find out about you.”

The idea of her mom finding out about me has her words sounding panicked and fear coming into her eyes again. I cup her face and lean down so she’s forced to meet my eyes.

“Relax, kisa. I’m not going to force my way into your apartment. Your mom will never know I was here, but I am walking you to your door. I have to make sure you get home safely.” I give her a small smile. “I’m afraid it’s nonnegotiable. I won’t be able to sleep if I don’t see with my own two eyes that you and Pip have made it inside safely.”

“Fine,” she whispers, “but she can’t see you. Please, Luka.”

“I promise she won’t see me.”

“Okay,” she whispers.

I give her cheek one last stroke and then force myself to take a step back. Not wanting to completely break contact, I take her hand in mine while we walk to the elevator. She interlaces her fingers with mine, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to how much smaller she is than me. There’s a strength to her, but she still seems so damn fragile, and all my instincts are screaming at me to protect her.

The ride to the fourth floor is a short one, and when the doors open, I’m not ready to let her go. It’s Pip’s meowing that gets my feet to move. He’s hungry and needs to eat, and the rest of his things will be delivered soon.

“That’s us.” Lara whispers the words and points to the door up ahead, the last one on the left.

I keep her hand in mine and follow until she stops a couple of feet away so I’m not in view if her mom were to look out the peephole. Without moving closer, I eye the door and sigh.

“Those locks are shit,” I whisper.

“They’ve worked well enough so far,” she whispers back. When it’s clear that doesn’t make me feel better, she says, “I’m making more tips now so I can have them replaced.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“No, you will not.”

I smile at her tone. “It’s already a done deal, and I’ll make sure your mom never suspects a thing.”

Before she can get her keys out, I tighten my grip on her hand and pull her closer, turning her at the last second so she’s pinned between me and the wall. Clutching Pip to her chest, she sucks in a quick breath and gives me a wide-eyed look that’s equal parts adorable and sexy as hell. Cupping her face, I lean closer and drag my nose along her cheek, breathing in the sweet scent of her.

“Luka,” she whispers, and the heat of her breath against my skin has my cock straining at my jeans.

“Hmm?” I trail my nose up her cheek and ghost my lips against her ear. “Yes, kisa?”

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“All of this. Why you’re here with me, why you’re acting like you want me, I don’t understand.”

I pull back just enough so she can see me. “I told you. I like you, Lara Swan.” Slowly dragging a finger along her jaw, I add, “And I do want you.”

Her lips part, and there’s no way in fuck I can resist tasting her. Closing the distance, I press my lips to hers and kiss her slowly. I don’t want to rush this. I want to savor every damn second of our first kiss, of my first kiss. She gives a soft moan when I run my tongue over her top lip, coaxing and teasing her mouth open so I can delve in deeper. She parts for me, letting me in, and I realize my mistake a second too late, because now that I’ve had a taste, I want more. I want everything.

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