Page 43 of Midnight Enchantment

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with doubt as his fingers lightly traced the line of her collarbone, slid around to the back of her neck to delve into the hair at her nape.

“Please,” he whispered. “Just one taste.”

“I’m afraid.”

“I will not hurt you, I swear it on my life.”

“One taste, you promise?”

“Yes.” He groaned again as pain and need shot through him.

Praying she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life, Lily turned her head to the side and brushed her hair out of the way.

Taking a firm hold on his self-control, Raedan lowered his head to her neck and bit her as gently as he could. The taste of her was like nothing he had ever experienced before. Her blood was like sunshine and it flooded his being with a sense of peace and contentment. And warmth. Ah, the warmth of it. He closed his eyes as it flowed through him, chasing the every-present chill from the depths of his being.

One taste led to two as the demon demanded more. Always more. He could control his own thirst, but not the demon’s. It might be appeased, but it was never satisfied.

With an oath, Raedan jerked his head back. “Forgive me,” he said, his voice filled with self-loathing.

Lily looked up at him in confusion. Forgive him? For what? Her whole being quivered with a longing for him to do it again. His bite had been the most sensual experience of her life.

“Liliana?”

“Will you bite me again sometime?”

Raedan stared at her. Was she serious?

“It was wonderful,” she said dreamily. “I’ve never made love but I think it must feel something like that.”

Somewhat taken aback by her remark, Raedan muttered, “I would be happy to show you.” He had preyed on many women, but never lingered once the deed was done. He’d had no idea if his bite had been pleasant for his prey or not. Nor had he cared. Until now.

“Come on,” he said. “I had better take you home.”

“Will I see you tomorrow night?” she asked as they left the park.

“If you wish.”

“You know I do.” They walked hand-in-hand, pausing to kiss every now and then until they reached the front porch.

“Thank you for tonight,” Raedan said.

“I should be thanking you for getting me out of the house.”

Raedan shook his head. She had everything a woman could ask for, he thought. A family that loved her and worried about her, a beautiful home. She would never want for anything as long as she lived.

“Aren’t you going to kiss me good night?” Lily asked with a teasing grin.

She was going to be the death of him, he thought, as he took her in his arms. But what a way to go.

Not surprisingly, Lily found her mother waiting up for her. She took a deep breath as she prepared for the third degree. “Can we talk tomorrow, Mom? I’m kinda tired.”

“I don’t think so.” Summoning her magic, Callie immediately sensed the change in her daughter. “What have you done?” she asked sharply, rising from the sofa.

“What do you mean? We went to the movies. You know that.”

Eyes narrowed, Callie walked around Lily. “He bit you, didn’t he?”

“How can you possibly know that?” Lily exclaimed, then clapped her hand over her mouth.

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