Page 18 of Savoring Her Snake

“Vampires usually mate with a human, but they can mate anyone. Shifters can mate shifters with the same animal or humans. If they mate a shifter of a different breed, which is rare, any children they have will take after the parent of the same sex as the child.”

“A human can get pregnant by a shifter.” I start to massage my aching foot, trying to wrap my head around this new world.

“No. If we are lucky enough to find a mate, and they are human, we have to turn them into a shifter.” He tilts his head, waiting for my reaction, and I freeze.

“You want to turn me into a snake.” I swallow, my throat dry.

“Yes,” he hisses.

“Huh…” How do I feel about this new information? Heath pulls my foot over his leg and starts to rub. Fuck. I suck back my moan.

“The bond between mates will not be complete until the shifter or vampire accepts their chosen mate and they choose you. They both have to be willing and ready to mark each other, which usually happens during sex.” I bite my tongue as heat sweeps over me. “Once the mark is completed on a human, the transformation into a shifter begins. Pregnancy can only happen between two shifters or vampires.”

“You want that with me,” I say softly.

“More than anything I’ve ever wanted,” he whispers, and our eyes lock. He’s telling me the truth. I find it hard to believe the universe picked me as his perfect match. Yesterday, I was a regular person struggling through life. Dealing with an unstable family, work, and loneliness. I didn’t have a steady boyfriend or friends.

“What’s it like?” I ask quietly.

“Magical. Powerful. Sometimes, I feel untouchable. When I shift, nothing can stop me. It can be addicting to be considered dangerous. I am strong and agile; all my senses are enhanced, and I can shift in an instant. I use my nose to smell danger and emotions. I can hear for miles unless confined to a building with numerous rooms, and then the distance is limited, muffled. I can live forever if I’m careful and age extremely slowly.” His hand stops moving. “I can hypnotize humans and shifters to a degree. I would never do it to you.” He resumes his caress. “It is most effective when someone is close to death. Their memories can transfer to me, and it’s helpful when I want information.”

“Would I be able to do all those things?” I ask, the thought tempting.

“To an extent. I have had years to gain power and practice my skills. It is never guaranteed. The gifts of each shifter are varied. The only way to find out is to complete the bond and shift.” He lifts a shoulder.

“What if I walked away? Would it cause you pain?” Suddenly, he grabs my ankle and pulls. I’m pressed tight to his chest, my shirt around my hips. Heath’s hands are slayed across my back, and our faces are inches apart.

“Don’t,” he grits out. “I am trying to give you a choice. Until you make it, do not run from me.”

“I won’t,” I breathe, warmth spreading. No one has wanted me like he does.

“I will do everything possible to convince you to bond with me.” He slides his cheek against mine. “I fight dirty. If I have to use the effect I have on your body, I will. Do not mistake my soft speech as a weakness. I am a beast. My snake wants to mark you.” He licks my neck, and I melt. “He wants to taste you as much as I do. Every second since we met, I have been holding back. I would be deep inside you right now if it were up to me, and my mark would be on your body.” He lightly bites my shoulder and then sucks. “You are mine. I will never cheat. I am dedicated to you, and the touch of another disgusts me. You are my fated mate, and I don’t want to think about you walking away.” He skims his nose up my neck and back down before pressing his forehead in the crook of my neck.

“Okay,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “I won’t talk about leaving.” I drag my fingers from his back to his neck, tangling them in his hair. It’s as soft as it looks.

“Thank you, darling,” he rumbles. Goosebumps erupt across my skin. A man has never touched me with such reverence. “You enjoy my touch?”

“Yes,” I admit, opening my eyes. When was the last time I orgasmed? I honestly don’t remember; if I did, it was most likely with my own hands.

“Do you want more of it?” he asks silkily. He lifts his head, bumping my chin up with his jaw before looking at me.

I lick my lips. “Please,” I whisper. God help me, I do. What he is offering me is tempting. He slides his hands down my back, one stops on my hip, squeezing, and the other grips the front of my neck. Pulling me closer, my legs naturally widen as he leans back on the couch, and I straddle him. He hovers, his mouth just out of reach, our rapid breath mixing. He holds his position, prolonging my longing for his lips on mine.

“Tell me to stop if I scare you,” he says, tipping my head back further. He sits straight, causing me to tighten my legs and hold onto his sides. “I want to taste those sweet lips.” His words barely leave him before he yanks me forward and kisses me. My breath lodges in my throat at the possession of it.

His mouth is demanding. There is nothing soft about this kiss. It’s all or nothing. He demands entrance, his tongue exploring and tangling with mine. I whimper; the emotions he pulls out of me with little effort are surprising. My fingers contract, bunching his shirt, grasping at anything to keep me grounded. I think I am in trouble. Heath is a stranger, yet I don’t want to leave him. I want to explore how he can make me yearn for someone’s touch.

He glides his hand across my back, grasping the opposite hip, urging me flush against him. I don’t fight it.

I gasp, and he dives deeper. I can barely breathe from the ongoing kiss and feel the steel I’m pressed against. Naturally, I want to move. I slowly roll my hips, and he pushes his hand against my neck, breaking our kiss. We stare at each other, my mouth open, panting.

“Be careful,” he warns. He drags his hand down between my breasts to my stomach and presses. “I want inside you so fucking badly. I don’t think you’re ready for how that will be. I am a hard man. We have to have a long discussion before sex happens.”

“Are you dominant?” I’ve heard the term but haven’t had an experience with any man who could make me obey. No one knows of the fantasies I dream of late at night.

“Yes,” he growls. “I have many preferences that may give you pause.”

“Tell me,” I say.

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