For once, she didn't argue with me.
As this amazing woman sucked on my vein, moaning at the taste of me, I felt myself grow hard again. Slowly, lazily, I fucked her as she drank, giving her my strength in return for nourishing me. It wasn't wild and desperate like before. It just felt fucking good to slide my cock in and out of her tight body.
After a few minutes, she stopped, licking at my wrist much like I did to her.
"Take more," I insisted.
But Talin shook her head. "That's enough. I feel like I could lift this house and throw it into Lake Pontchartrain."
I nearly insisted. But in the end, I allowed the wound to heal and pulled out of her body, rolling onto my back and bringing her with me until we were back in our original position.
Her hand found mine, our fingers tangling together. "I saw it. Where Alex is. Where Marcus is waiting."
"I saw it too."
She swallowed hard. "I heard you inside my head." Her voice was questioning.
"I heard you, too."
Will you always be able to hear me now?
I don't know, but I can hear you still.
"Good," she whispered against my mouth as she kissed me. "Because that'll be just one more way you can help me find my way home."
The fear tried to claw its way up my throat again, but I shoved it down. She was right. We'd done everything we could to prepare. The bond between us was strong, but was it strong enough to anchor her across dimensions if it had to?
It had to be. It had to be enough.
Reluctantly, I pulled back, scanning her face as she did the same to me. Her gaze was steady. Determined. Strong.
"We need to feed you before we meet with the others," I told her. "Get your strength back up."
"I'm fine."
"You're tired."
"Am not."
I raised an eyebrow, and she sighed.
"Okay, maybe a little. I'll grab something out of the fridge on our way out." Glancing toward the window, she sighed. "It's time to go."
She was right, damn it. The sun had just touched the horizon. I felt it in the loosening of my muscles, the way my senses sharpened as darkness claimed the sky.
"Fine." I slid off the bed, reaching for my clothes. I thought about showering again, but couldn't stand the thought of washing her scent from me. And I didn't give a shit if the others would smell her too. They'd also smell me all over her. "But you're eating, Talin. That's non-negotiable."
"Bossy."
"Concerned."
She rolled her eyes, and I narrowed my eyes at her. She was going to pay for that.
She dressed reluctantly, pulling on dark jeans and a black tank top before reaching for the padded bra. I caught her hand before she could put it on.
"You don't have to," I said quietly. "Not around me."
Her throat worked as she swallowed. "I'm more comfortable with it on."