Page 70 of Taste of Death

“Your heart is beating so fast.” Novak’s free hand rested on my lower back as we entered his house. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” He set aside my bags, took my coat, and as soon as my hands were free, I toyed with the neckline of the dress I wore to dinner. The dress he just bought me. “I’m excited but a little nervous I think.” I smiled sheepishly at him. “It feels kind of like a first kiss, only with less sobbing into the only shirt you own.”

Novak’s eyes were just as dark with desire as they had been in the restaurant. He wanted my blood, that much was clear. And maybe other things, if the last time I fed from his wrist was any indication. I could hear his heartbeat too, slightly elevated but still calmer than mine.

But I trusted him, and only him, to feed from me. There was no other person I wanted to share this experience with. Maybe I was romanticizing something that was a normal, biological need for vampires, but there was no mistaking the blatant want in Novak’s red eyes as he crossed the foyer toward me.

“This is going to be a lot more intense than just a kiss.” He took my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine. “If you want me to only take your blood and do nothing else, tell me now.” He brought his other hand to my cheek, leaning his forehead down to mine. “Because feeding is not the only way I want to devour you.”

“I’m not opposed to that. I just…” A shaky breath left my lips. “Can we go over some things first?”

“Of course, akra.” His lips pressed to my forehead, warm and reassuring. “Let’s sit down.”

He led me by the hand, even though I knew his home’s layout at this point and immediately knew our destination.

Novak’s home library was a thing of wonder. Floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves stuffed with volumes of every size and subject. And considering he had fifteen-foot ceilings, the shelves naturally had rolling ladders.

I actually hadn’t spent much time in here since Novak was usually in his study, and I always wanted to be where he was.

“There’s my mother’s collection.” He pointed to a shelf with glass doors, the worn paperbacks arranged neatly inside.

I followed him to a gigantic chaise lounge that could easily fit both of us. “Your mom’s books are the only ones behind glass.”

He shrugged, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. “They’re all I have left of her, so I want to preserve them. They’re important to me.” With a soft groan, he eased us down to the chaise together. “Far more important than my family’s history, records of battles or wealth or any of that other bullshit.”

I spun in the cocoon of his embrace to face him. “You’re very sweet, you know that?”

A smile tilted his mouth. “I know that you’re the only person who thinks I am.”

“Lucky me.” My arms looped around his shoulders. “It seems this sweet side doesn’t get shown to very many people.”

Novak stared at my lips, his gaze slowly running down my throat and across my collarbone.

“I don’t want to be sweet to you right now.”

My skin tingled with anticipation. “Does it hurt?”

“No.” Warm fingers caressed my shoulder and the side of my neck. “From me, it’ll never hurt.”

I believed him. The weight of his words felt like an anchor. Grounding, solid, and true.

“What does it feel like?”

“Remember when you took from my wrist? It will probably be similar to that.”

I swallowed, heat rushing to my face. Aside from kissing him, that was the most physical pleasure I’d ever experienced.

“And if I want to feed from you at the same time? Is that a thing?” I couldn’t explain why, but the idea of mutually feeding from each other was incredibly satisfying.

Novak hitched in a breath, his voice going even lower and huskier. “It is most definitely a thing. You can bite me anywhere you wish. Take my wrist, my shoulder, anywhere you can reach. I’m yours to take from, just as much as you are mine.”

I nodded, my focus going to the strong, proud column of his throat.

He angled my chin until our eyes met again. “Any other questions?”

His fangs were so long now, dangerous weapons behind extremely soft lips. “No, I don’t think so.”

“And you’re okay with me touching you beyond what’s necessary to feed?”

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