Page 106 of Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

Before my bravery faded, I reached for Seb’s tie, fingers trembling despite my best efforts. His eyes watched my every movement, intense and unblinking, as I worked at the knot. The tie slid free with a soft whisper of fabric, and I let it drop to the floor.

“I want you.” The words came out barely above a whisper. “Please.”

Seb caught my hands in his, bringing them to his lips. He pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles, the touch achingly tender. “I want that too. God, I can’t even tell you how much I want that.” His voice was turbulent, raw. “But it’s too dangerous. We can’t risk it.”

My heart clenched painfully in my chest. The mark over my heart seemed to pulse with a dull ache, a constant reminder of my doom. “I might only have a few days left.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to snatch them back. It was a low blow, using my possible death as emotional leverage.Despicable. Guilt twisted in my stomach as I watched pain flash across Seb’s features.

His expression turned serious, almost sombre. “Well, if you really want that, there are others who will help you, I’m sure.”

I flinched away as if he’d struck me, his words cutting deeper than any blade.

“You’d be okay with that?” I asked flatly.

“No, of course not!” he snapped. “But if it’s what you want…”

“It’s not.” I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat. “I don’t want anyone else. I don’t want some meaningless fuck with a random man.” My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, holding on tight. “I want it to be with someone I trust completely.”I want to make love to you.The thought reverberated in my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to say those words aloud. He’d probably run an absolute mile. “I only want you. But I’m sorry. I’m not thinking straight.” Pressing closer, I wrapped my arm around his waist, terrified I’d pushed him too far. “I genuinely meant what I said in the bakery. I’ll take whatever you can give me, for however long that might be. That’s enough, I promise.”

Seb’s hand moved to cup my chin, his thumb stroking gently across my cheek. The grip was strong, and I found myself falling deeper into those burnt caramel eyes, drowning in their depths. This closeness, this intimacy—it really was more than enough.

Something shifted in his expression. His pupils dilated as they fixed on mine with an almost predatory focus. Then he muttered, “Serás mi perdición,” and squeezed his eyes shut. “Stay here.”

“What?” I blinked, trying to focus. “Where are you going?”

“To get supplies.”

“What sort of supplies?”

Seb raised one perfect eyebrow, and my stomach did a backflip.

“Oh…” My heart thundered against my ribs as realisation dawned. “What?” I managed to squeak out as heat rushed to my face. “Okay, well, I got tested at the end of the summer, and if it’s really been twenty years since you last slept with someone, we’re probably fine without a condom unless you want one, and I already have lube, so…” My embarrassed mumbling dwindled to a stop.

“I didn’t mean lube.” His lips twitched with amusement. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.”

He slipped out of the room with that uncanny grace of his, leaving me alone with my rapidly spiralling thoughts. Was this actually happening?After weeks of tension and wanting and stolen glances, were we really about to…?

The nervous energy coursing through my body made it impossible to stand still. I paced the length of the room, trying to calm my racing heart.

What if I wasn’t any good? What if I came straight away? What if—

I caught sight of myself in the mirror and grimaced. My hair was a proper mess now, cheeks flushed pink, lips still swollen from our kisses. I looked exactly like what I was—a complete disaster who had no idea what he was doing.

This was Sebastián Salazar. Actual centuries-old vampire. Probably had countless lovers over the years. And here I was, a tragically inexperienced virgin, who was already having a panic attack over doing something I’d practically begged him for.

My stomach twisted with nerves as I waited, each second stretching into eternity. The marks over my heart gave a dull cold throb, as if sensing my anxiety. I pressed my palm against it, trying to steady my breathing.

The door opened, and Seb slipped back inside. He took one look at my face and sighed.

“You’ve been in here catastrophizing this whole time, haven’t you?”

“No,” I insisted, but my voice came out higher than usual.

Seb placed an assortment of objects carefully on the dresser before crossing the room. His cool hands gripped my upper arms, steadying me. “Flynn.” The way he said my name made my knees weak. “Look at me.”

I lifted my gaze to meet his, and once again, I was drowning.

“Do you have any idea how attracted I am to you?” His thumb traced circles on my biceps. “How incredible I think you are?” He pressed a soft kiss to my jaw, making me shiver. “How honoured beyond words I am that you want me to be your first?”

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