Page 84 of Undying
It’s not long before my limbs tingle and the beginning of my orgasm slowly rolls over me. My fangs throb for a taste of him, and I jerk back before I can give in to temptation. I slump back against the door, blinking up at him in confusion, wondering what the hell just happened.
Slowly coming back to reality, I cover my mouth, unable to look at him as mortification fills me.
What the fuck did I just do?
Even worse, I did it in front of a fucking audience.
How am I supposed to look at Milo again?
Stanton cups my jaw, tipping my head back until I have no choice but to face him. I brace myself to see disgust, but he looks at me with such a gentle expression that I’m shaken.
In the back of my mind, I can’t help wondering if he distracted me with his blood to get close enough to kiss me, or if it’s the other way around and he kissed me to distract me from his blood?
One way, he comes off as a dick.
The other, he’s the savior.
Men are such confusing creatures that it’s impossible to tell which is more plausible.
Either way, I didn’t attack him, so I’ll take it as a small victory.
“Being a woman is a dangerous thing in our world,” he murmurs distractedly, his sole focus on my bottom lip, brushing his thumb back and forth over it like he’s debating stealing another taste. I’m not in much better condition, his British accent doing delicious things to me, and I struggle to concentrate on what he’s saying. “You have abilities and powers that are going to draw even more attention to you.”
Something about the way he says it has trepidation sinking its claws into my spine, and I pull away, trying to shake off the effect he’s having on me. “Why does that sound so ominous?”
“Women are second-class citizens in the vampire world,” Milo says, coming to stand next to us, his troubled eyes locked on Stanton’s hand still touching me. “There are so few females that they’re protected and fought over. If they sense even the slightest weakness, they’ll eat you alive.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. I thought being a human was bad, but I’m almost afraid to find out how much worse being a female vampire can get. “Is there any option where I don’t end up being a slave to some asshole?”
The men grimace and exchange a look that doesn’t bode well for my future. Stanton scowls, his hand sliding along my jaw to grip the back of my neck, and he pulls me closer, as if he’s trying to shield me from the truth.
“I can only think of two ways,” Milo says with an earnest expression, running a hand through his dark blond hair. It gives him a sexy, rumpled look that I find irresistible. Needing his nearness to keep me calm, I lean forward and snag his hand. “Unfortunately, both will be dangerous and might not work.”
“Just tell me.” I try to give him a reassuring smile, but I fear it comes out a little lopsided. “Two options are better than none, right?”
Only he doesn’t return the gesture, his green eyes grave.
“You build a house so strong that no one will want to mess with you.” His fingers tangle in mine, as if trying to hold on to me, his thumb rubbing distractedly over my knuckles, and I’m not even sure he’s aware of doing it.
Flustered by his attention, it takes me a moment to figure out what he’s not saying. “You think it will come down to a fight.”
My heart sinks at the thought. While I don’t mind fighting for my life, I suspect it won’t be just my life that’s on the line. The thought of anything happening to the wolves, Stanton or Milo, or even the cats, sends a bolt of pure rage through me. I carefully extricate my fingers from Milo as my claws lengthen with the need to shed blood.
They are mine.
Mine to protect.
A vicious snarl comes from Stanton at the mention of me fighting, his fangs looking even bigger and longer with him looming over me. It should terrify me, but the sight sends a shiver of lust through me, and I rub my legs together to try and ease the ache.
“Okay, what’s the second option?” I ask, trying to distract myself, but I don’t have much hope that it’ll be any better than the first choice.
Most people usually keep bad news until last.
“The fightisthe second option.” Milo grimaces, shuffling closer until both men are pressed against me, as if trying to protect me from what’s coming.
Ihumphin annoyance and mutter, “So I either fight or find someone so big and scary that it will frighten anyone away from me? Wonderful.”
The thought of being at the mercy of another vampire is not on my list of things to do, but I’m willing to do anything to make sure the others survive, even sacrificing myself to do it.
