Page 59 of To Vanquish Darkness

That had been nothing.

Her thoughts scattered like seeds in the wind as darkness enveloped her. Amalie threw up her hands as her head knockedagainst the wooden hangers hooked to a solid beam stretching from one side of the closet to the other.

Theo pushed them to the side and moved in next to her, closing the door behind him. They were plunged into complete darkness, and Amalie stilled as Theo’s arm grazed her shoulder. She worked to steady her breath.

This was smart. Practical.

"We're behind two heavy doors. I don't think it would be possible for anyone to catch the scent of you unless we made a mess of it," Theo whispered.

Her eyes nearly rolled back in her head from his voice as it rumbled through her skin, her muscles, and bones. "Mmhmm." It came out more like a whimper than a response. Theo reached out a hand, and his fingers brushed her forearm, then moved up to wrap over her shoulder.

Amalie cleared her throat. "Just do it. You don't have to ease me into this."

Theo’s hand froze. "No woman has ever uttered those words."

Jealousy flared within her. He’d been alive for two thousand years.Why did it matter?Why did she care if he was thinking of the endless throng of women he’d used in the past? "You had no problem before,” she snapped.

Theo grunted. “This won’t only be a bite.”

His hand shifted, sending a pulse of energy down her arm. The rest of her body might as well have faded from existence. She couldn’t feel anything besides his fingers wrapping over her shoulder. “You said you couldn’t be gentle. Have you changed your mind?”

"Stop talking, please." Theo's lips grazed her temple, and Amalie had no trouble shutting her mouth. She was on fire. Her heart pounded in her chest, loud enough she was sure Theo could hear it.

Hate him.She needed to?—

His fingers traced a feather-light path down her neck. "Leaving a mark here will be too conspicuous. Other vampires will notice," he murmured, his breath hot against her skin.

“They didn’t notice earlier.”

“You’re nearly healed, and this time there may be bruising. Do you prefer wearing a scarf for another week?” Theo brushed her hair back from her cheek. Since the moment they’d stepped into the closet, his hands hadn’t left her skin.

He was doing research. Hunting for a strong pulse. It wasn’t that he wanted to touch her.

Still, Amalie couldn’t control her quick breaths or flushed cheeks. She’d checked the mark on her neck earlier. It was healing well. She’d always recovered quickly. Now she understood why.

“What are you suggesting?” Her voice was hoarse.

Theo’s breath stuttered, his hand still resting over her collarbone. He swallowed hard. "There are other options for strong blood flow.” His fingers slid under the edge of her blouse, pulling it over her shoulder. He slid two fingers under her arm. “Here. Still visible depending on the situation, or . . .” He cleared his throat. “The inner thigh. Much less noticeable."

Amalie’s skin tingled.This was practical, nothing more.It was wise to hide the marks, especially in a place filled with vampires who would notice if she was still walking around the castle after Theo fed.

Her arm would suffice. But the thought of lowering her trousers. Of watching him drop to his knees. Of feeling his hands on her knees as her leg butterflied away from her. Of feeling his hot breath against her sensitive skin.

Shewascurious.About so many things.

"Arm,” she rasped. “I’ve never had a dressing maid and I don’t plan on stripping down in front of your friends. Nobody will see it.”

Theo’s fingers trembled as Amalie pulled up the fabric of her shirt, exposing the bare skin of her stomach and her bralette.Maybe she should’ve been willing to wear a corset.It was dark enough, even as her eyes adjusted, she couldn’t even make out a vague silhouette of Theo’s head.

That meant he couldn’t see anything either. A slight pang of disappointment hit her gut.

She pulled one arm out of its sleeve, offering it to him. Amalie held her breath as he ran slow fingers over the tender flesh of her underarm.

Then his other hand was on her hip, pressing her back against the closet wall. “This may help. To steady yourself.”

She leaned her head back, her pulse fluttering wildly at her throat. “If I fall?—”

“You won’t fall.” Theo’s hand still clasped her hip, and his chest pressed up against her as he lifted her arm over her head. She forced her lungs to expand, willing her heart to settle.

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