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She paused for the barest breath.

…Oh, and I insisted, by the way, so don’t blame Archangel for some paranoid conspiracy theory of yours about blood-stealing hybrids with silver hair… not this time, at least. Also, we did it over most of today… so no, not all at once… and Lara insisted that I mix it with human blood so you wouldn’t get hungry again for a while… at least twenty-four hours, she said… oh, and I’ve been eating pretty much non-stop all day. I’ve had like six meals, I think, since we did the first draw this morning…

There was another brief pause.

It was my idea, Nick,she repeated.I couldn’t talk to you. I was being super bitchy about it. I think St. Maarten only agreed to do it to shut me up.

Nick snorted.

He saw her eyes in the darkness behind his.

He saw her smile at him then and felt it all the way down to his feet.

Unfortunately, it also gave him an immediate and borderline painful hard on.

Are you really okay?he asked her.You’re not too weak?

Stop worrying, babe. I’m totally fine.She warmed his chest with her light. It made the hard on already straining his pants exponentially worse.I was going crazy not talking to you. I couldn’t deal with it. I was driving everyone else nuts. I already feel a million times better, just from five minutes of feeling your light. I’ve been sitting here, waiting, ever since Hareb called in and said he dropped off the package.

Nick felt a twinge of guilt he hadn’t opened the bag sooner.

He also felt a harder flush of relief and desire.

He couldn’t really hide either reaction.

It’s really fucking weird how clearly I can feel and hear you,he thought at her.I can’t believe I can feel you like this just from drinking from a blood bag. It never would have occurred to me this would work like that…

Nick trailed when he felt her exploring his light.

She wasn’t shy about it.

Or particularly subtle.

She felt all over his body tangibly via the blood connection between them.

The sensation was so physical, so utterly visceral and sensual, it completely blanked out his mind. It shocked him into silence, into a near paralysis, then turned him on to the point where he could barely remain still.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, fighting not to react.

He gave a bare glance to Morley, hoping the old man was as oblivious as he looked.

Knowing Morley, probably not, but it was impossible to know.

He focused on his wife.

Honey… as much as it pains me to say it, this really isn’t the best time for whatever the fuck you’re doing to me right now––

Wynter cut him off.

Have you gotten shot by anyone yet?she demanded, still exploring his light.

No. Not yet.

Stabbed?

No.

What, then? You feel really… I don’t know… not right…