Page 66 of Wicked Chains
The memory of Lucien's lips on my throat, the delicious sting of his fangs, the erotic sensation as he drank from me—all of it rushes back, making my cheeks burn. "It was fine."
Drake's mouth curves. "Just fine? You're blushing."
"I am not," I protest, even as my face gets hotter.
"You are. Your whole face goes pink when you're embarrassed. It's adorable." He touches my cheek.
I swat his hand away. "Stop it. I amnotadorable.”
"What happened, Rose?" He’s teasing now. "Did the big bad vampire finally make a move?"
"You're enjoying this way too much," I grumble.
Drake laughs. "I'm just curious. You can tell me, you know. It's okay."
I study his face, looking for any hint of jealousy or hurt, but all I see is genuine affection. "You're really not bothered?"
His expression softens. "I told you before, Rose. You're not mine to keep. Not really."
"But, what about, you know… us?"
"I don't resent you having feelings for Soren and Lucien," he continues. "I want you to be happy. You've given me more than you could ever know."
His words make my heart ache. "How did I get so lucky?"
Drake scoffs. "Lucky? I wouldn't call hooking up with a ghost who can't even take you on a proper date 'lucky.'"
"Yeah, well, I'm not exactly a prize either," I say. "Considering I'm basically a human puppet to an evil warlock."
"We're quite the pair," Drake agrees. "The ghost and the witch on a chain."
I lean forward, resting my forehead against his. "You've made this place bearable, Drake. You know that, right? I don't know what I would have done without you."
A shadow passes over his face, and there's a sadness in his eyes that wasn't there before.
"What is it?" I ask, pulling back to look at him properly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He shakes his head. "Just thinking how after a century of being alone, with no one, I found you."
But I know that's not it. There's something he's not telling me, something that's been bothering him since he disappeared that time.
"Drake—"
"Let's not do this now," he interrupts, pulling me closer. "We have more important things to worry about, like keeping you alive.”
I want to push, to make him tell me what's wrong, but he's right. Helena is the immediate threat.
"You should talk to Soren or Lucien," Drake says, his fingers threading through my hair. "Find out what they know about this third sister."
"I will."
Drake's eyes meet mine, serious now. "Be careful, Rose. Helena is dangerous. If she was willing to kill Hank just to hurt you..."
"I know." I swallow hard. "I'm not safe here as long as she's in charge."
"You're not," Drake agrees.
He kisses me then, soft and sweet. I lean into him, lingering in the moment.
