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CHAPTER SIX

NERI

“Stop moving,” Neri moaned.

She lay on Hunter’s warm chest, one arm holding her close, as she refused to open her eyes.

Most days she needed less than six hours sleep to function. It was nice being an immortal. But after the fight and the sex last night, her body shivered at thought, every part of Neri’s body craved more rest. But Hunter wouldn’t cooperate, moving onto his side and displacing her from her pillow.

“Are you okay?”

She moved her finger up to her mouth. “Shh. More sleep.”

Hunter chuckled, and the sound shivered over her body. Instead of opening her eyes and finding out what he found so amusing, she reached for the comforter and pulled it over her head, blocking out the sunlight and dampening the sounds. Since Hunter wouldn’t be helpful in her quest for more sleep, she reached for her pillow and shoved it underneath her head, grumbling aloud without using actual words. She relaxed her body and waited for sleep to take over.

“I bit you last night.”

Hunter’s statement was so deadpan Neri had no reaction to his statement. Some awareness must have filtered through her fuzzy, sleepy thoughts because in the next moment she took stock of her body. There was a pleasant tenderness around her hips and she bit her lip to prevent the gasp of pleasure when she recalled how Hunter drove deep inside her, drawing out her pleasure until her orgasm erupted throughout her body.

She shivered at the remembered sensation of Hunter’s tongue on her shoulder, but the bite held so much pleasure in the action she released when he sank his teeth into her. Her mind tried to bring the sensations of his bite to the forefront, but it evoked the swell of her orgasm and nothing else.

“So do I,” she purred.

Neri almost laughed at how ridiculous she sounded. She’d never made that sound in all her years, but one night with all the bliss Hunter drew from her as his hard body pressed against hers was enough to do it again when he ran his hand along her side.

“How are you?”

The concern in Hunter’s voice had her blinking open her eyes and pulling down the comforter before searching his gaze. There was a pinched look around his eyes and his mouth pressed into a straight line, making him look fierce and concerned at the same time.

“Why are you worried? As you can see, other than the lack of sleep, I’m wonderful. Are you saying you didn’t like it?”

“No!” Realizing he shouted, Hunter started again. “Last night was the best night of my life. But the bite, I claimed you without asking you and knowing you’re half vampire. I could havekilledyou with my venom.”

Neri’s brows drew down, and she pressed a hand over the spot on her neck, sucking in a breath when she brushed her hand against the spot where Hunter had bitten down. Without thinking about her nude body, she left the bed and walked toward the bathroom and slapped the light on. Something deep inside her craved to see Hunter’s mark looked like on her skin.

When she stepped in front of the mirror, her hand refused to budge from where it had settled. She watched with wide eyes as Hunter, naked and with a small smile on his face, stepped behind her and placed his left arm around her waist, opening his hand on her stomach. A surge of rightness calmed the riotous questions in her head and her stomach settled as she met his eyes in the mirror.

He smiled before he lifted his right hand and with easy movements, pulled her hand away from her neck. She sucked in a deep breath at the clear indentions where his fangs had pierced her neck, loving the look of the dark red spots on her pale skin. Knowing her reaction to touching the area, she leaned toward the mirror and studied the marks. She realized they healed overnight. There was no sign of blood or bruising around the area. Only smooth skin and a sensation that went straight to her core.

Neri turned in his arms and smiled. “Well, I guess we’re mates now.”

Hunter sucked in a sharp breath and the smile fell from his face.

“Aren’t you worried? I bit you. Are you sick, or in pain?”

She narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “No, I’m fine. You seem freaked out about this? It was over six hours ago. Do you think my body would reject your venom?”

He shook his head. “We have to get this checked out. We have to go see Liv and see if there is anything I might have done to put you in danger.”

Although she sensed worry coming off Hunter in waves, there was also need, for her. She ignored the worry to take advantage of the latter. So with a smile, she reached for his hand and pulled him into the wide, boxy shower and closed the opaque glass door behind her.

“What are we doing?”

Despite his question, the tone of Hunter’s voice made her clench her core and her nipples hardened. At the moment, she wanted Hunter inside her and would bargain him for it. She was fine, more than fine, but she understood Hunter needed reassurance she was healthy and happy. He would get that after.

“Let’s make love in the shower. Then, we can head to Kai and Liv’s so she can draw my blood and list everything different about me compared to everyone else. But for now, we’re naked, why shouldn’t I take advantage of having your hands on me while you lift me up against the wall and fuck me until I come.”

A low growl escaped his throat, and she sensed her words, while over the top, hit the mark. He backed her into the shower without his gaze leaving hers. He reached to shut the door behind him before he flipped on the faucet and pulled her away from the cold spray and pressed her against his warm body until the water heated.