Page 49 of Cruel Destinies

After what seemed a blissful eternity, yet still not nearly long enough, he removed his fangs, licked my neck with one long swipe of his tongue, and then placed a sweet kiss there before pulling away and coming eye level with me.

“See,” I panted, barely audible. “I knew you could do it.”

Even with my blood tinting his lips, he still looked stunningly gorgeous—probably more so.

I didn’t realize I was still fondling his erection until he gripped my wrist and pulled it away.

“If you keep doing that, I’m going to lose control,” he warned.

I would have made a playful, insinuating comment, but the dangerous look in his eyes told me I’d better bite my tongue. So I just nodded and reluctantly made some space between us.

“Have you done that before?” I asked. “Lost control, I mean.”

He nodded. “When I was first allied with the vampires, I fed on a willing human—one of their pets, for lack of a better word. I went too far and killed her. It destroyed me.”

At the agonized guilt on his face, I wanted to touch him again but thought better of it at the last second.

“I vowed to never drink directly from someone again.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “Do you…um… Do you always get turned on when you feed?”

He looked down at the floor, shame joining the pity party in his expression. “No. I haven’t felt that way about anyone since…”

Oooooohhh.I suddenly understood. He did feel something for me, and it made him feel guilty because of his loyalty to—

“Alice,” I finished for him, and he nodded.

Well, now what? What could I possibly say after that?Forget your dead wife and be with me instead?No, that would be an awful thing to do. Especially now that we knew I really could bring her back.

Why did I have to feel this way about him?

“Well, how about, until we bring your wife back, you can feed from me whenever you need to,” I suggested. “No strings attached.”

He lifted his gaze up to mine, surprise and something else in his expression. “Really?”

“Yeah,” I said, trying like hell to keep the excitement and hope out of my voice. “And, you know, if you happen to indulgeotherneeds at the same time, it’s totally cool.”

The chuckle he gave was darkened with disdain and self-loathing. “What would Alice think of what I’ve become?”

“I think she would think the same thing I do. That you’re a sweet, broody, beautiful man.” Unable to resist any longer, I leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.

Then, with the greatest show of willpower I’d ever displayed, I rose to my feet and stepped away from him. “I should go.I’m supposed to meet some friends in a bit. What’re you gonna do about the cat?”

Julian shrugged, looking at the thing as it sat a few feet away from him, licking its own balls. “I suppose I should keep an eye on it for a bit, just to make sure the spell worked as intended.”

“Good idea.” I eyed the cat. “Do you think anyone will miss him?”

Julian shook his head. “I’m certain he’s feral.”

I shouldered my bag, ready once more to brave the winter weather. “My offer was sincere. And like Pizza Hut, I deliver.”

This time, his laughter was authentic and mirthful once more, and it made me smile to see his spirits lifted.

“Make sure you take good care of Rainbow!” I called over my shoulder as I slipped out of the apartment. Julian’s laughter at the cat’s new name carried through the door.

The brisk air chilled me as I exited the lobby and headed toward the train. My emotions tumbled as I replayed the last hour in my mind, though they were definitely tipping in favor of elation.

Seeing Julian always put me in a tailspin, like a twisted game of he-likes-me, he-likes-me-not. Only there was no end to the petals I could rip off. But now I at least knew his attraction was real, and I couldn’t not feel a bittersweet comfort in that.

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