Page 112 of Undying
“I want you to take my blood before we reach the gathering. It will give you an extra layer of protection.” His tone is low and steady when he speaks, not giving away even a hint of his emotions.
I stiffen, unable to get over the impression that he waited until we were in the car to spring his suggestion on me, leaving me with no place to run. I take a beat before answering him, not wanting to act rashly. “I’m not sure I really understand what you’re asking. What does taking your blood mean?”
I have a suspicion, but I want to hear him fucking say it.
While I might trust Stanton, vampires are tricky bastards, always dealing with hidden agendas.
I know better than to act without knowing all the facts.
He purses his lips, as if debating how much he should say. “Exchanging blood without sex is a form of courtship. It will show that my interest in you is more than casual. As an ancient vampire, my protection will give people pause,” he says with an earnest expression, his eyes almost pleading.
I nibble on my bottom lip as I study him and notice, for the first time, the tight grip he has on his knees. He is stiff, his form almost brittle, and I realize that he’s more invested in my answer than he wants me to see.
He’s barely holding himself together, almost like he’s afraid I’ll turn him down, and I find his unease rather charming. “You want to court me?” I don’t breathe as I wait for him to answer, my heart practically having palpitations.
A muscle ticks in his jaw, and I don’t think he’s going to answer for a second. Then he breaks, lunging forward to wrap his hand around my throat. I swallow hard at his nearness, inhaling deeply, and I could easily find myself becoming addicted to his mint scent.
I lick my bottom lip, almost able to taste him, and his brown eyes hungrily follow the movement. A little rumble-like purr vibrates in his chest, and my nipples instantly harden. His mouth parts, blatantly showing me his fangs, and I can’t stop the shiver that passes over me.
A drop of blood beads on his bottom lip where he purposely nicked it with his fangs, because the asshole never does anything by accident, and I can feel my own fangs lengthen in response. Darkness spills through every inch of my body, urging me to take what he’s offering.
I lean forward, almost mesmerized by that one drop of blood. I’m just an inch away before I come to my senses and lean away. I glare at the ancient vampire, panting as I struggle not to lunge for him. “You’re a jackass.”
Instead of being repentant, he smirks. “I never said I wasn’t.”
I twist to the side, breaking his hold on my neck, and cross my arms in front of me to keep from giving in to the temptation to touch him. He slowly licks off that one drop of blood, and I nearly break.
Which just pisses me off more.
Deciding to take charge, I lunge toward him, taking him by surprise, and he falls back against his seat. I follow him, my dress parting enough to allow me to straddle his lap, leaving my legs bare.
This time, it’s my hand around his throat.
I glare down at him, and it takes everything in me not to squirm when I feel his erection pressed against my pussy. “I don’t like vampire games. Why are you playing with me?”
His hands automatically settle on my hips, his grip bruising, and I’m not sure if he wants to pull me closer or push me away.
Honestly, I’m not sure if he even knows.
He glares up at me, his chest heaving with each breath. “I’m trying to keep you safe, you infuriating woman!”
I snort at his masculine outrage and roll my eyes at the idiot. “If you really wanted to keep me safe, you would complete the full mating ritual instead of asking for this courtship bullshit.”
I will not get my hopes up, only for him to crush them.
A yelp escapes me when he picks me up, then twists and slams me against the seat beside him until I’m sprawled beneath him. He looms over me, his heavy weight pinning me to the seat. My dress tumbles around my waist, leaving me practically bare, but I’m mesmerized by the expression of pure longing on his face.
“I was an ass to you when we first met,” he rumbles, frustration etched on his face. “But it didn’t take long for you to worm your way past my shields with your prickly nature, your beautiful face, and your indomitable will. Thoughts of you quickly consumed me, and I became obsessed with learning everything about you.
“I wanted to take my time and woo you like you deserve.” He leans in closer, his voice dropping to a rough whisper that seems to speak to my soul. “I wanted time to make you fall in love with me, so when I asked you to become my mate, you wouldn’t be able to say no.”
My heart swoons at his words, and I brush the back of my fingers lightly down his cheek.
Then I flick him on the forehead. “You idiot. Don’t you think it should be my decision whom I take as a mate or not?”
He rears back, his eyes narrowed in outrage, and I doubt that anyone has ever dared take him to task in such a way. Then he freezes when he finally registers my question. He blinks down at me in confusion and searches my eyes almost desperately. A tentative hope enters his expression, almost like he’s too afraid to believe.
His throat bobs as he swallows, then he leans in closer, his lips stopping just shy of touching my own. “I’m not a good man. I’ve done a lot of questionable things in my life. No matter how much I try to repent for the things I’ve done in the past, nothing will wash away the blood on my soul. I’m afraid that touching you, even being in the same room as you, might tarnish you.
