Page 144 of Mortal Shift
“No joke,” I said. “That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”
“We already had a deal,” Thessalia said tightly. “Your blood in exchange for a meeting with the humans—and for shortening that handsome human’s service term.”
Cole’s jaw tightened—in response to which bit, I wasn’t sure. But there was a hint of jealousy in his eyes, as, no doubt, Thessalia had intended when she’d described him as human.
“If you’re trying to make my mate jealous,” I said coolly, “it’s not going to work. He trusts me. And even if he didn’t, if I was interested in Sam then surely I’d want him in the academy for longer, not out sooner.”
I arched a brow at her, and felt Cole relax at my back. I fought the urge to smirk at the female vampire.
“All of which is beside the point. Because we made that deal for one feed. You traded me a favor for the second—and I could just call it in and not let your brother feed, so don’t test me. This is the deal for as much blood as he needs from me until he can find a new source. And yes, this is going to be taken off Sam’s blood debt, too, since you decided to bring him in to it.”
“Fiery as ever, sweetness,” Thaden said with a hint of amusement, and turned to his sister. “We’d best agree before she demands we crown her queen of the undead.”
I rolled my eyes and reached behind me for Cole, lacing my hand in his, and felt a surge of relief when he gave it a light squeeze. I didn’t want some imagined jealousy coming between us. Helping Sam was about doing the right thing after Astor had screwed him, nothing more.
“Fine,” Thessalia said curtly. “We have a deal.”
“Good. Best get on with it, then.”
It was stupid to goad her, but I just couldn’t help myself. We might be allies, but we were a long way from friends.
She glared at me, then turned for the door. “You had best ensure my brother is well fed if we’re to attempt your ridiculous demands.”
“I will. And Thessalia?” I blew out a breath. “Thank you.”
She shot me a suspicious look over her shoulder, like she was expecting me to mock her, and then when she met my eye, dipped her chin in acknowledgement and then left the room, shutting the door behind her.
I exhaled heavily again, and perched on the edge of the bed, lifting my chin to expose my neck.
“Let’s get it over with, then.”
Thaden moved forward, but Cole stepped in front of him, blocking his path to put his own lips on my throat in a kiss that sent heat spiraling between my legs. I squirmed on the bed, and Thaden cleared his throat.
“Wait your turn, Moritego,” Cole growled against my puckered skin.
“It is my turn,” Thaden drawled, his voice laced in amusement…and something else.
“Wait longer,” Cole said, his hot breath dancing on my flesh. His voice dropped lower. “I want to taste every inch of you.”
“Soon,” I promised on a gasp. “As soon as…it’s done.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Hold me as much as you like.”
He growled in response and slid onto the bed behind me, shuffling closer so his chest was pressed to my back, and his hands caught mine, both supporting me and holding me in place for his friend to feed. My heart rate spiked…and my arousal, too. Being held like this for Thaden to taste…
Cole chuckled low in my ear. “Do you like that, little mate?”
I squirmed in response, and then Thaden was closing in on me, lifting my chin with one finger and tilting my head aside. Before I could find the words to answer Cole, Thaden’s sharp fangs sank into my throat and a moan slipped from my mouth. Cole ducked his head and nipped at my earlobe as Thaden fed, and I moaned again, the heat between my legs becoming uncomfortable, my clothes an unbearable separation between me and the men I wanted. Man! The man I wanted. My nipples hardened into tight buds against the thin fabric of my shirt and the only reason I didn’t shed it was Cole’s hands still holding me at the wrist.
“Patience, little one,” he whispered, and I leaned back against him, shifting slightly to rub myself against his hard shaft. He nipped at me again, half in reprimand, half in encouragement, and I felt myself starting to come undone.
Thaden’s tongue swiped across my neck, sealing the wounds, and then he straightened, blurring slightly in my eyes, either because of the endorphin high or the feeling of Cole’s cock pressing against me from behind, and honestly I couldn’t tell one from the other anymore.
“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Thaden said, his voice a rough rasp. He moved out of my eyeline toward the door, and vanished from my thoughts entirely.
I twisted round to Cole, my hands still caught in his, and he crushed his lips down against mine, claiming my mouth in a bruising kiss that sent a shudder of satisfaction through me. But I wanted more.
