Page 39 of Undying
Supernaturals can’t be trusted.
It’s a lesson I learned firsthand.
Though he might ooze menace, it’s not directed at me. Instead of giving arip off your facevibe, he makes me want to cuddle against his chest and soak up the peace I feel when I’m around him.
It makes absolutely no sense.
“Smell.” Castle tips back his head, then inhales, his chest expanding impressively, and I struggle to stay focused and do what he asks.
The muck from the service tunnel threatens to overwhelm my senses, and I push deeper, not wanting to disappoint the Viking. And I can admit that I’m curious about what he wants to show me. Tiny notes of another smell catch my attention. I close my eyes, tilt my head, and focus on the scent.
Surprisingly, the smells get stronger.
Hundreds of different odors assault me at once. I cough and quickly cover my nose, my eyes watering slightly, then I glare up at the big oaf. “What the hell?!”
This time, he does smile, and my daft heart flutters in my chest before falling silent again.
I would almost say that he’s laughing at me, but he actually seems pleased. “You’ve been on your own since you’ve been turned. It’s extraordinary that you’ve survived for so long. While some of your senses are extra sharp, others are still undeveloped. For you to survive what’s coming, you’re going to need all of your senses.”
“And you’re going to help me?” I eye him skeptically, but I can’t deny the thrill at the thought. I’m not sure if I’m more excited by the idea of learning to defend myself or at the chance of spending more time with him.
Before I can untangle my thoughts, Tobias strides toward us. “The room is clear.”
Though he reports the information to Castle, he doesn’t take his eyes from me. He holds out his hand to me and then just waits. He doesn’t get impatient, just leaves the decision up to me, and I hesitantly slip my fingers into his palm.
He wraps his hand around mine, then tugs me forward until I’m standing in front of him. I’m so overwhelmed by his nearness that I do nothing when he releases me. He grabs my waist, then gently hoists me up and deposits my ass onto one of the crates. I belatedly stiffen, but he has already released me. Without giving me a chance to push him away, he steps between my parted legs, and my hand lands on his chest.
Before I can jerk away, he captures my hand and keeps it pinned to his chest. I scowl, but he holds up one finger, asking for silence. Claws at the tip of my fingers lengthen, slightly gouging into his chest and drawing blood.
A silent warning that I can dig my fingers into his chest and take his heart at any time.
He doesn’t even wince, his eyes steady on mine, oozing a calmness that pulls me back from the bloodlust that is bleeding into my veins. He’s making the decision to trust me. I marvel at the startling revelation, and my claws retract without conscious thought.
Pleasure heats my cheeks, and I duck my head, feeling suddenly bashful and a little bit ashamed. He taps the back of my hand twice, drawing my attention, then he does it again just a second later, then again.
Before I can question him, he shakes his head. “Listen. Close your eyes and listen for my heartbeat.”
Distrust flashes through my mind for a second, then I force it away. If he can trust me, then I can do the same. The instant I close my eyes, his heartbeat fills my head, matching the rhythm his fingers strum on the back of my hand.
My head automatically nods to the reassuring beat.
“Now push your senses out farther, past me to the room beyond. Tell me what you hear.” The low, soothing rumble of his voice slips easily into my mind, and I obey without thinking.
Silence is the only thing I hear at first. I’m almost ready to give up when I pick up a second heartbeat. Before I have a chance to tell him, other sounds filter to me.
Breathing.
Mice scurrying in the walls. Rats chewing at something between the floors. The squeak of wood. The pounding sounds of music. Then the low murmur of hundreds of voices. It soon becomes so loud that I have to cover my ears.
“Too loud!” I shout, barely able to even hear myself.
Tobias’ hands cover my own, and my eyes flash open to meet his concerned gaze. “Focus back on my heartbeat.”
His voice is so loud that it’s like an icepick slamming directly into my eye socket, and I swear my brain is going to melt and ooze out from my ears. Concern darkens his face, his lips firming, then his mouth slams down over mine.
I lurch back, but he tightens his grip, pressing forward until his hips settle firmly between my thighs. After a few seconds, he pushes his tongue between my lips, nicking his tongue on my fangs, and everything else fades but the delicious taste of him.
I wrap my legs around his hips, humming in pleasure when his cock brushes against my core, and I tighten my grip on him for fear he will pull away. Before I can deepen the kiss, he’s ripped away from me, leaving me gasping.
