Page 157 of Mortal Shift
“They were willing to make certain...concessions. Many of my brethren agree that it could be beneficial for the feeders to be more comfortable.”
“But not all?” I guessed.
“Not all,” he agreed. “There are certain amongst my kind who would prefer that they remain the only source of relief in the humans’ bleak existence. Fortunately, not any of the ones who matter. They are willing to permit certain aesthetic decorations to the human quarters, and allow a number of new books to be supplied for the feeders’ amusement. They’ve agreed that you may oversee both.”
I blinked in surprise.
“That’s not a concession I asked for,” I said, and then narrowed my eyes at him. “What’s the catch?”
“We still do not understand my addiction to your blood. I will require continued access to it over the summer if a substitute cannot be found. Starting today.”
I stared at his lips. Somehow, that didn’t sound quite so objectionable to me as it had at the start of the year.
“What about their diet?” I asked, trying to wrench my mind back onto more important matters. “Have they agreed to give them more variety?”
“That one’s tougher,” Thaden admitted. “They weren’t willing to budge on that.”
“Why not?” I asked, my brow furrowing. That seemed like an odd thing to refuse, given all of their other concessions. And since the vampires weren’t even responsible for providing the food, I’d have thought that would be the first thing they would agree to.
“It changes the flavor of the blood,” Cole murmured, and Thaden inclined his head in agreement. I blew out a stream of air through my lips. Okay, that was something I hadn’t considered, and frankly, something I hadn’t wanted to know. But I had enough sense to take the victory in front of me. The rest would be a fight for another day.
“Thank you,” I said. “And please thank Thessalia for me.”
“I don’t think she’s much interested in your thanks, sweetness.”
“No, I suppose not. And what about you?”
“Oh, I’ll take whatever gratitude you send my way.” He paused, canting his head. “But there’s something I want from you even more.”
I twisted round to look at Cole, my eyes finding his.
“Perhaps Thaden will give you a little endorphin boost,” he suggested, his gaze flicking briefly to Thaden and then back to me again. “Make today even more fun for you.”
His eyes raked over me hungrily, leaving me in no doubt about his meaning, and I shivered with anticipation.
“A little parting gift?” Thaden smirked. “Happy to oblige.”
I dipped my chin in the merest fraction of a nod and Cole was on me in a blink, taking my arms behind me and guiding me back to the bed. Heat shot between my legs at his demanding touch, and then Thaden was advancing on me. Arms pinned behind me, I could do nothing but watch as he swept my hair to one side revealing my neck, and damn if it wasn’t the hottest thing I ever experienced. My eyes lingered on Thaden’s lips as he slowly lowered them to my neck, and when I could no longer see them, I could feel them touching my skin, and it pebbled beneath his hot breath. Cole leaned forward, pinning my arms between our bodies, and reached round in front of me, one hand slipping under my shirt to find my breast. He flicked his thumb across my nipple, and I arched my back with a moan that was half pleasure, half need. He did it again, and as he touched me, Thaden’s fangs slid seamlessly into my neck, and another gasp ripped itself from my throat as my core throbbed with need.
As the vampire drained me slowly, sensuously, I felt my arousal climbing, and my need spiraling. It was all I could do not to moan with frustration when he took his lips from my throat.
“Done already?” I asked, my voice escaping in a breathy whisper.
“Try not to sound quite so disappointed, sweetness. I wouldn’t want to take too much and ruin your morning of fun.”
I couldn’t help but feel that I would be having a lot more fun if he was still feeding from me…and I had absolutely no idea where that thought had come from. All I knew was that my body craved his in a way that was both different and the same as the way I craved Cole’s touch.
Cole.
I leaned back against him as he lowered his lips and nibbled on the other side of my throat, and his hand moved south, deftly opening my jeans, and nudging my panties aside to find me wet with my need for him.
“Planning on sticking around to watch, Moritego?” Cole rumbled against my throat, without taking his lips from me. I felt myself flush at the thought and another moan rushed from my lips. I froze, and then felt Cole’s throaty chuckle rumble through my body. “It seems like my mate might enjoy that.”
I made a sound of half-hearted protest, and Cole chuckled again, then nipped at my throat in reprimand.
“Tempting,” Thaden said, and I could feel the heat of his gaze roving over me. “But I have a clan to oversee.”
And without another word, he slipped from the room, shutting the door behind him and sealing me in alone with my mate. There was no place I would rather be.
