Page 100 of The Firebrand
Rein moved toward the window, tapping his D-chip. After disconnecting, he sat on the edge of Braelyn’s bed, casually stroking her cheek with the back of a hand. “Sabine will stay with you while I bounce to Scath. I’ll feed before I stop by your place to pick up your shit.”
“Don’t fondle my underwear.”
Rein pulled his brows tight. No sense of humor. Good thing he had a hot bod.
Braelyn said, “Who’s on the menu?”
“I don’t get it.”
“Of course not.” She winced.
“What hurts?” Rein patted an arm, a leg under the blanket.
“Nothing, fool. I don’t want you sucking on some woman.”
He chuckled.
“I have this image of you playing suck face or suck neck with Miss Pink Sweater. Whatever.”
“Who’s Miss Pink Sweater?”
“The blonde bombshell.” When he still squint-eyed her, Braelyn said, “Zora. Your father’s secretary? Big hair. Fake boobs. Very succulent blood.”
This time Rein laughed so hard Braelyn thought he might leak tears. She was delighted to be the source of his amusement.
Not.
“Holy coven, I’ve actually missed you. I’ll use the packaged shit. For now.” When Rein leaned close, his warm breath tickled her ear. “Some blood has lost its appeal.”
“I’d offer mine, but I need it.” Her heart did a happy dance, tapping on her chest. The vampire wouldn’t be sticking his fangs into another woman. She had no idea why his feeding from someone else bothered her. It did.
Rein’s throat bobbed when he swallowed. Alongside Braelyn’s bed, he adjusted his pants.
Her gaze focused on the massive bulge at his crotch. “You’ve got a woody. Don’t deny it.”
“Hmm. The thought of sinking my fangs into you makes my dick hard. But you’re off the menu, as you call it. Permanently. That’s something we both need to understand.”
“I’m on board with that. Getting poked by sharp objects doesn’t appeal to me.”
****
“Youmake a wonderful nurse.” Braelyn’s gaze wandered around Rein’s bedroom, searching for evidence of another woman. No earrings on the floor. No discarded panties on the bedside table. She sniffed the pillow. No smell of perfume.
“I don’t intend to do this for anyone else, but I’m at your beck and call. Bathroom? Water? Food?”
After Rein had transported Braelyn from the hospital to his place, he tranced her into a light, restful sleep. She awoke with him doing gargoyle duty on the edge of her bed.
She peeked beneath the blanket. No ugly gown. No clothes. On the bright side, her pillows were fluffed. He had tucked a sheet along with a coverlet around her.
“Nope. I’m good.” Trying to scoot toward the headboard, she flinched. “I see you’ve cleaned the condo. It looks spotless.”
“I always keep my place clean.” Rein saw her cover her grin with a hand. “Joke. Smartass. Hold on. I need to check on Alarik. He’s on the way.”
Braelyn bit off a sharp breath when pain played a musical interlude on her ribs. “Ouch. Somebody’s tap dancing on my grave.”
Rein wrinkled his forehead. Then he faced away from her to talk.
She ogled him as he hovered in the doorway, his muscled bulk filling it.
