Page 52

My hands slid up his chest, coming to rest around his neck. The silk of his tie brushed against my fingers as I played with the short tufts of hair at his nape. “Well, I’m more than happy to help you relax.”

Seb hummed as he ran his thumb over the collar of my flannel shirt. “These pyjamas again. You’re like a walking picnic blanket.”

“Lucky for you…” I tilted my head with a nervous smile. “I’ve been told I make a pretty tasty snack.”

Previously, high on adrenaline and blood loss, I’d been bold enough to throw myself at him. Today, with a clearer head, I searched his eyes for permission before moving closer. His gaze dropped to my mouth, pupils dilating slightly.

The tension in the air thickened, crackling around us.

Yesterday, our kiss had been phenomenal. Electric. Beyond words.

Everything I’d ever dreamed kissing someone could be.

Let’s see if it was a fluke.

I leaned in, brushing my lips against his. The first touch was gentle, tentative, until Seb’s hand slid up my back to cradle my neck, drawing me closer. His mouth moved against mine, soft yet certain, and I melted into him with a quiet sigh.

The kiss deepened naturally, his tongue sliding against the seam of my lips. I opened to him eagerly, and that spark from yesterday blazed to life once more. His other hand gripped my waist, pulling me flush against him as our tongues met, sliding together as if coming home to one another.

Definitely not a fluke.

My fingers tangled in his hair as the kiss grew more heated. Seb made a low sound in his throat—something between a growl and a groan—that resonated through my entire body. His cool lips warmed from our contact, the sensation intoxicating.

My breath hitched when he suddenly took control, backing me against the nearest wall. His movements were fluid, graceful, yet tinged with a hint of desperation. My head tipped back as his mouth traced a path along my jaw, each press of his lips sending jolts of electricity through my body.

“ Definitely not a fluke,” I managed to breathe out, my voice embarrassingly shaky.

Seb pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his eyes dark and intense. Swollen lips. Hair thoroughly mussed from my fingers. The sight of him like this—dishevelled and wanting—sent desire coursing through me like wildfire, and my cock instantly hardened, straining against my briefs.

“No,” he agreed, voice rough. “Not even close.”

Then his mouth was on mine again, and coherent thought became impossible.

The kiss deepened further, becoming almost desperate. My fingers dug into Seb’s curls as his tongue swept against mine. The wall behind me was the only thing keeping me upright as my knees threatened to give way.

My lungs burned for air, but I couldn’t bring myself to pull away.

Seb’s mouth was addictive—cool and sweet and perfect.

The need for oxygen became secondary to the feeling of his lips moving against mine, his hands gripping my waist. He didn’t need to breathe, could kiss forever if he wanted to, and part of me wanted to test that theory until I passed out from lack of air.

Just when black spots started dancing at the edges of my vision, Seb broke away. But before I could protest the loss, his lips found my jaw again, raining butterfly kisses along the sensitive skin there. My head hit the wall with a soft thud, eyes rolling skyward at the sensation.

My hands moved to his shoulders, gripping the expensive fabric of his shirt as the room started to spin. His kisses grew more intense, and I held on tighter, certain I’d collapse without his solid frame anchoring me in place.

“I need you,” I found myself saying, pushing my aching cock against his thigh in case my words weren’t clear enough.

Before my bravery faded, I reached for Seb’s tie, fingers trembling despite my best efforts. His eyes watched my every movement, intense and unblinking, as I worked at the knot. The tie slid free with a soft whisper of fabric, and I let it drop to the floor.

“I want you.” The words came out barely above a whisper. “Please.”

Seb caught my hands in his, bringing them to his lips. He pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles, the touch achingly tender. “I want that too. God, I can’t even tell you how much I want that.” His voice was turbulent, raw. “But it’s too dangerous. We can’t risk it.”

My heart clenched painfully in my chest. The mark over my heart seemed to pulse with a dull ache, a constant reminder of my doom. “I might only have a few days left.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to snatch them back. It was a low blow, using my possible death as emotional leverage. Despicable . Guilt twisted in my stomach as I watched pain flash across Seb’s features.

His expression turned serious, almost sombre. “Well, if you really want that, there are others who will help you, I’m sure.”

I flinched away as if he’d struck me, his words cutting deeper than any blade .

“You’d be okay with that?” I asked flatly.

“No, of course not!” he snapped. “But if it’s what you want…”

“It’s not.” I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat.

“I don’t want anyone else. I don’t want some meaningless fuck with a random man.

” My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, holding on tight.

“I want it to be with someone I trust completely.” I want to make love to you.

The thought reverberated in my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to say those words aloud.

He’d probably run an absolute mile. “I only want you. But I’m sorry.

I’m not thinking straight.” Pressing closer, I wrapped my arm around his waist, terrified I’d pushed him too far.

“I genuinely meant what I said in the bakery. I’ll take whatever you can give me, for however long that might be. That’s enough, I promise.”

Seb’s hand moved to cup my chin, his thumb stroking gently across my cheek. The grip was strong, and I found myself falling deeper into those burnt caramel eyes, drowning in their depths. This closeness, this intimacy—it really was more than enough.

Something shifted in his expression. His pupils dilated as they fixed on mine with an almost predatory focus. Then he muttered, “ Serás mi perdición, ” and squeezed his eyes shut. “Stay here.”

“What?” I blinked, trying to focus. “Where are you going?”

“To get supplies.”

“What sort of supplies?”

Seb raised one perfect eyebrow, and my stomach did a backflip.

“Oh…” My heart thundered against my ribs as realisation dawned.

“What?” I managed to squeak out as heat rushed to my face.

“Okay, well, I got tested at the end of the summer, and if it’s really been twenty years since you last slept with someone, we’re probably fine without a condom unless you want one, and I already have lube, so…

” My embarrassed mumbling dwindled to a stop.

“I didn’t mean lube.” His lips twitched with amusement. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.”

He slipped out of the room with that uncanny grace of his, leaving me alone with my rapidly spiralling thoughts. Was this actually happening? After weeks of tension and wanting and stolen glances, were we really about to…?

The nervous energy coursing through my body made it impossible to stand still. I paced the length of the room, trying to calm my racing heart.

What if I wasn’t any good? What if I came straight away? What if—

I caught sight of myself in the mirror and grimaced. My hair was a proper mess now, cheeks flushed pink, lips still swollen from our kisses. I looked exactly like what I was—a complete disaster who had no idea what he was doing.

This was Sebastián Salazar. Actual centuries-old vampire. Probably had countless lovers over the years. And here I was, a tragically inexperienced virgin, who was already having a panic attack over doing something I’d practically begged him for.

My stomach twisted with nerves as I waited, each second stretching into eternity. The marks over my heart gave a dull cold throb, as if sensing my anxiety. I pressed my palm against it, trying to steady my breathing.

The door opened, and Seb slipped back inside. He took one look at my face and sighed.

“You’ve been in here catastrophizing this whole time, haven’t you?”

“No,” I insisted, but my voice came out higher than usual.

Seb placed an assortment of objects carefully on the dresser before crossing the room. His cool hands gripped my upper arms, steadying me. “Flynn.” The way he said my name made my knees weak. “Look at me.”

I lifted my gaze to meet his, and once again, I was drowning.

“Do you have any idea how attracted I am to you?” His thumb traced circles on my biceps. “How incredible I think you are?” He pressed a soft kiss to my jaw, making me shiver. “How honoured beyond words I am that you want me to be your first?”

Another kiss, this time to the corner of my mouth. My eyes fluttered closed as his lips brushed against mine, gentle and sweet.

First.

Kiss .

Last .

Kiss.

Everything.

Warmth bloomed through my chest, chasing away the cold pangs of anxiety. I melted into him, all my earlier fears dissolving under the tender press of his mouth against mine.

“I can’t wait to hear those gorgeous sounds of yours again,” he all but whispered into my ear, before taking my lobe between his sharp teeth.

I couldn’t help it. A tiny moan escaped me, and he chuckled.

“Are you… Are you going to bite me again?” I said, on a rushed breath. The prospect had me dizzy with excitement.

He pulled back, frowning. “No. Definitely not. In fact…” He grabbed one of the items from the dresser—a small metal cask. He wiggled it, and liquid sloshed. “I’m going to sate myself as much as possible, on this extraordinarily overpriced blood.”

“Was it terribly expensive?”

“Yes.” Seb’s lips curved into a smile. “But don’t you worry about that.” He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, making my heart flutter. “Having that sweet cock of yours inside of me will be worth every penny.”

My breath caught in my throat. Oh.