Page 4 of Finding Our Home

“I’m sorry for your loss, Dorian.” His voice was so soft and sweet, hearing my name roll off his tongue warmed me from the inside despite the topic at hand.

“Thank you. I will always miss her, but vengeance for her death was swift.”Maybe don’t tell him about the people you murdered, you idiot.“I was lucky that Dregan took me in when I came to him. He and Cassandra were old comrades of a sort, so he didn’t hesitate to take me in and under his wing. Theyfought together in The Red War.” At the look on his face, I added, “That’s what the last war between vampires and shifters was called. I guess humans don’t teach you about that since our existence was secret for so long. But there have been many wars and battles between us.” I could tell he was a little overwhelmed, which was the opposite of what I wanted.Maybe I should just shut up.“I think we should stop the history lesson there for today and just enjoy the night, what do you think?”

He licked his lips, and I could tell he was thinking about asking me something.

So I pulled him to a stop, then stepped in front of him, bringing my nose close to his shoulder where I knew he’d be able to feel my breath on his skin. Grinning, I watched goosebumps appear on his creamy skin that I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into. “I’d be happy to answer your questions another time, my treasure, but we’re almost to the spring, and I’d like to enjoy my time with you rather than bringing up old hurts and devastations.”

“Will there be another time, you think?” His breathing was coming out in quick little gasps, so I knew my proximity was doing exactly what I intended. I might’ve wanted to keep him from being overly scared, but I also wanted to taste more than just his blood. I needed to stay away from heavier subjects and focus on that. Focus on his skin, blood, and the gorgeous blush along his cheeks. He wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

I grinned at him, then cupped his cheek with my free hand since I refused to let go of our combined hands, and I whispered, “One taste of you will not be enough for me, my treasure.” I rubbed my thumb along his jaw, then over his throat, stifling a moan when he opened his mouth. “After tonight, you’ll have to decide for yourself. I will never force you or ask you unless it’s something you want as well.”

“You won’t compel me?”

“Never, my treasure, never.”

He searched my eyes for a few seconds, then nodded. “Where’s this spring you’re taking me to?”

I smiled and dropped my hand from his cheek, but tugged on his other. “This way.” I pulled him around a rock formation, then between a crevice in the rocks and waved my hand around the small pool—the unoccupied pool.Perfect.“Here we are.”

Neo looked around the small area with wide eyes, taking in all the small flowers and the moss on the rocks around us and the steam coming off the spring and the small, decorative chest on one side that held towels. Everything was glowing in the moonlight. “Wow. This is beautiful.”

I stared at the side of his face, not paying one bit of attention to the pool, and nodded. “It is.”

He glanced at me, then blushed, obviously catching on to my meaning.

Grinning, I forced myself to let go of his hand so I could remove my shirt. Neo’s breath hitched as he looked me up and down. I knew I looked good—I was a vampire, after all, and the vamp genes in my body kept me muscular and bigger built than I ever was as a human, and since I never went long without blood, my dark skin remained dark. I had tattoos left over from before I was turned on my right pec, around my shoulder, down my arm, and along my rib. Most vampires didn’t have any color to their skin or any ink, so I lucked out in that department. And if Neo’s face was anything to go by, he thought I lucked out, too.

I shot him a little smirk as I took my pants off—but left my underwear on so I didn’t scare him away. There would be plenty of time for that if he was on board with my plan. “You might want to take your clothes off before you get in.” I stepped one foot into the water, then turned around to face him and opened my hands, palms forward. “You coming in, my treasure?”

Chapter Three

Neo

How could someone with such a sweet, smooth, sexy voice besoprovocative that he had me blushing again?

I was nervous. God, was I nervous. But I was also excited. This was exactly what I wanted. He was going to drink from me, and I was pretty sure I was going to love it.

He tilted his head. “If you’re uncomfortable, we can do this elsewhere. It’s easier if you’re shirtless because there’s less chance of blood stains since it sometimes drips, but it’s not impossible to do with—”

I cut him off by whipping my shirt off my head and throwing it in the pile with his clothes.

Dorian’s mouth opened and his pretty vampire eyes widened as he took me in. “Wow. You’re gorgeous.”

I was sure he could see my blush, even in the moonlight. “Th-thank you.”

He held out his hand, staring at me with something that looked like awe. “Would you like to join me, my treasure?”Every time he calls me that, my heart flutters.

My heart was in my throat, so I simply nodded, then unbuttoned my pants, stepped out of them, and grabbed his hand. That same strange energy flowed between us where our skin touched.Must be a vampire thing. No wonder people like being fed on, just being touched by him is amazing.

The water was hot and felt great on my skin, but not as wonderful as his touch when he put his hand on my hip and whispered, “Sit and let me know when you’re ready. If you’ve changed your mind, I’ll respect that, but… your blood smells heavenly. I’d very much like to taste it.”

And why the hell didthatsound so good to me?“I-I’m ready now.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, and he smirked at me before pushing me back against the edge of the pool. He stared into my eyes for a few seconds before running his hand through my hair and gently tilting my head to the side. With one last look at me, he leaned in and ran his nose along my neck, making me pant with want and need already.

His tongue brushed my skin, and goosebumps popped out all over me, and then I felt his fangs sink into my flesh. It stung, but when he took his first gulp, it turned from piercing pain to intense pleasure, and we both moaned together.Holy crap!

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