Page 25 of The Huntress

His cologne called to her, and yet, even as he spread his pheromones, she only wanted to nibble on every inch of his skin. But there was no crazed lust, no desperate need to eat him up.Well, not more than there already had been. What the hell?

“So?” he asked as he tugged her closer to him.

She let him. The heat of him was enticement enough.

“You smell as good as before. I want to lick you, just not in a way that jeopardizes my sanity. I expected your pheromones to make me go fuck-you-crazy.” She didn’t avert her gaze despite her burning cheeks.

He had to know she found him attractive. What was the point of hiding it? Suckbloods were masters of seduction, and she was an unskilled student eager for a sharp learning curve. Not that he had to be the teacher. If this incident had taught her anything, it was time to find a lover. It wasn’t as if he’d complain though, not with this you’re-mine nonsense. Still she’d play it cautious with hopes of an escape, because making a fool of herself was out of the question.

“Fuck me crazy?” His gray eyes darkened, his voice roughened with the rapid rise and fall of his chest. He grumbled, his arms crushing her against him.

So he liked that? Shit, the way he looked at her had her second guessing her plans for freedom.

If he continued to hold her, she knew where that would lead. Shedidwant him, anyway he would have her, and that’s what scared her. Succumbing to these needs would start her down a path she couldn’t envision the consequences of.

Well, maybe she could envision some of the consequences. Losing her job for one.

Her stomach twisted then gurgled. Right, food then Val. Why hadn’t she snatched a protein bar on her mad dash to get here? “Gabe? Perhaps you should put clothes on…and feedmefor a change?”

Anything for a distraction. Besides, with Val converted, Callie had time to lull him into a false sense of security. She could slip out after seeing her sister and escape his mesmerizing presence. Freakin’ addictive, seductive suckblood.

He chuckled into her neck, sending pleasure shooting through her again. Her nipples peaked against her lacy bra. She suspected he didn’t laugh often. Just like that, the virginal whore in her wanted to stay. Something felt different with him. It defied logic.

“Typical woman. Only thinking ofherneeds,” he teased as he drew away from her, and damn it, there were the dimples she’d dreaded.

Her mouth fell open in awe, mesmerized by the beauty of him. He looked better than cunning Sylvester the bastard, even better than Leo the stalker, and that was saying a lot. The image of Gabe in a tux made her breath catch.

“What…what needs do you have?” She couldn’t prevent herself from asking, something primitive compelling her. Her heart paused, time stretched, and an unquenchable thirst assailed her. She licked her parched lips.

“Callie.” His gray eyes swirled into molten silver. “Please don’t look at me like that.”

Tingles at her nape sent fiery shivers down her spine. She didn’t appreciate his chastisement, as if she was at fault for looking at him in a particular way.

She straightened her shoulders but glanced away, trying to tamp down her guilt and self-disgust. She hated suckbloods, something she needed to remember.

Smelling delicious to him didn’t mean he liked her, after all. It might be better if he wanted nothing more to do with her.

“I’m sorry.” She yanked away from him. Not touching him might help her gain perspective. Might break the hold his sensuality had over her.

“Don’t be.” He slid his hand up her neck to grasp her chin, guiding her gaze to meet his. He feathered his lips across hers, so soft she thought she had imagined the caress.

He nudged her to yet another door. “The kitchen is through there.”

He disappeared through the open doorway that must have led to his bathroom.

If she knew where the damn doors were, she could bolt now. Wait, not without seeing Val first. Videos were easy to manipulate. She needed to see her sister with her eyes, touch her face, speak to her. Callie sighed before entering the impressive kitchen constructed of light wood and stainless steel. There were the usual appliances, all looking brand-new, and the sink was small, suitable for one person’s needs. A large industrial fridge dominated the room, with a glass front revealing the fridge’s contents. There were bags of blood placed in meticulous rows and a lone carton of milk.

She frowned.

So he’d lied about needing blood? Strike one. Arrogant effing suckbloods. She’dfreelyoffered, so she wasn’t angry with him for feeding from her, but Dad hadn’t raised a fool. If he lied to her again, then she was out—O.U.T.

Shivering from the remembered euphoria skittering across her sensitive nerves, she rubbed her wrist again where the feel of his lips lingered. Her reaction belied her conviction. Damn.

With a deep sigh, she washed her hands at the sink, splashing water onto her face in the process. She opened the fridge to take the milk before searching the cupboards, hoping to find real food. Breakfast cereal? After placing it on the table, she went in search of the bowl and spoon she’d seen in passing.

Minutes later, she sat at the kitchen table, munching on cereal for dinner, but she didn’t mind. The aching coil in the pit of her stomach had to mean she was starving. That explanation was better than the alternative. Besides, finding cereal in a vampire’s home was a Godsend.

She pondered her volatile reaction to him.

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