Page 44 of The Love Bitten Series: Vol 2

“Now that I do remember.” His lips curved into a big grin. “I was nineteen. My older brothers, Liam and Jareth, went with me, along with two of our uncles. We took down three vampires that night and saved a consort who turned out to be destined for a member of the council. Since it was my first time, I went along to drop her off so I could learn that part of the process. I got to see the moment he realized that his seven-hundred-year wait had finally come to an end. It was amazing.”

“That’s what I want,” I whispered.

“No worries there. We’re going to have an amazing life together, baby.” He tugged me closer, his lips only inches from mine when he murmured, “I’ll do whatever it takes

I shook my head again. “I wasn’t talking about their relationship.”

“Explain then. Help me understand, Callie,” he urged.

“My parents love me, but they’ve never listened when I’ve tried to talk to them about my dreams and goals.” Fighting against the tears that welled in my eyes, I looked up and took a deep breath. I wanted him to see me as a capable woman, and crying over something I had come to terms with wasn’t going to help.

“I’ll pay attention to anything you say, baby,” he swore.

I opened my eyes, stared into his bright blue orbs, and blurted, “I want to be a badass vampire slayer.”

His gaze drifted down my slender frame, a muscle jumping in his jaw again. “And you don’t want to be claimed until after you’ve accomplished this goal?”

I quirked a brow at him. “How comfortable are you going to be with me leaving your bed to go out on missions?”

“It’ll definitely take some adjusting.” He pressed his lips together, and a growl rumbled up his chest. “But I still want you here with me while we’re figuring this all out. If you’re going to be crawling out of a bed in the middle of the night, it damn well will be mine.”

Thinking of our naked bodies tangled together on his sheets sent a surge of sensual need through my body. The air crackled between us, and one word slipped through my lips before I realized what I was saying. “Okay.”

3

BRAEDEN

Callie stared at me with her golden eyes full of passion, and I wanted her with every fiber of my being. I felt the ancient magic wrapping around us, urging me to stake my claim, but I argued with it to back off and let me handle my consort.

When I told Callie I would give her everything and support her dreams, I’d meant it. Even though it would be hard to know she was out risking her life, and it was bound to drive me crazy. Perhaps if she didn’t go without me…I shook off that thought. I wasn’t sure I could stop myself from stepping in, and Callie might see my intervention as doubting her abilities.

I’d sensed her strength from the moment we met, inside and out. I had no doubt she would be amazing, but it didn’t make me feel much better since she would be in high demand.

It would be hard as fuck to handle my desire for her, my possessiveness, and my jealousy. They would ease up some once I’d claimed her, but daywalkers were notoriously protective of their mates and selfish when it came to sharing them with anyone but their children.

Kids...fuck. We hadn’t even touched on that subject. The thought of seeing my consort with a swollen belly, growing the life we created together...it intensified my craving for her.

You’ve waited half a fucking millennium, Braeden, you can damn well last a little longer to make your consort happy.

We’d work all this shit out. Somehow, I was going to convince her that she could have the best of both worlds. I wouldn’t make her choose between me and the dream she’d worked so hard for.

Right now, I couldn't stand another second without tasting her. “I may not be able to claim you yet, baby,” I growled, “but I’m going to make sure you remember who you belong to as much as possible until you’re officially mine.” I grasped her chin and brought her face directly in front of mine before tilting it back and sealing my mouth over hers.

Knowing Callie would be spending every night in my bed made waiting to claim her a little easier to deal with. But I gave in to the growing desire to mark her in some way.

I didn’t break our kiss as I laid her back on the couch, covering her body with my own. She moaned as I pressed her into the cushions, and my cock nestled into the apex of her thighs. I could feel the heat of her center through all the layers of fabric, and thoughts of how amazing it would feel to thrust into that hot, virgin pussy were enough to have me on the verge of coming.

Groaning, I rocked my hips, and when Callie gasped, I swept my tongue into her delicious mouth. After a few minutes, I angled my head to deepen the kiss and glided the hand resting on her hip up to cup her plump breast. The rounded globe fit perfectly in my hand, and her stiff nipple poked my palm enticingly.

Tearing my mouth from hers, I licked my lips in anticipation as I stared into lust-glazed, liquid gold eyes. With our gazes locked, I gripped the bodice of her dress and ripped it down the center. With my vampiric strength, it was like pulling apart tissue paper.

Callie sucked in a breath, and though she looked shocked, her back involuntarily arched, causing the fabric to separate and fall to the sides. “I loved this dress,” she panted with a frown.

“Like you don’t know I’ll buy you as many as you want,” I replied dryly. Then I smirked. “And don’t pretend that didn’t turn you on, baby. I heard your pulse spike, and your body is practically begging for more.”

“Okay,” she breathed. “So that was pretty freaking hot. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Oh, it’s already gone to my head, baby,” I said with a wicked smile as I rocked my hips once again. “It’s already painfully swollen.”

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