Page 17 of Daring Her Vampires (Embracing The Bond #12)

Chapter Ten

Luca

“ H ow long have you been watching me?” Sally asks, her eyes closed.

“At least thirty minutes,” I answer, and she opens one eye.

“It can’t be that interesting,” she drawls.

“It is.” I grin, and she meets my stare. “You make noises.” My grin widens as her mouth drops open.

“Nuh-uh,” she denies.

“It’s cute.”

“Cute,” she snorts, brushing her hair away from her face. “Not possible.”

“Not possible that it’s cute or that you make noises?” I ask.

“Both.”

“Yes. To both.” I prop my head on my hand, my gaze moving down her body.

We didn’t have to beg to sleep with her.

She was barely awake when Atlas carried her from the car.

Stripping the minute she entered the bedroom, she used the bathroom and then sprawled across the bed.

By the time we slid on either side of her, she was out.

I don’t remember ever sleeping overnight with a woman; it’s an interesting sensation.

Sally is different. Our future is beside her, so we'll have many nights like last night.

“I’m naked,” she states.

“Yes.” I lift a brow.

“I did that myself,” she murmurs.

“You did.”

“I like sleep,” she says.

“Okay.”

“Sorry, I fell asleep on you.”

“No need to be sorry. We got to sleep next to you.” I trace her fingers on the bed between us. “You move a lot. I woke up once, and you were on top of Atlas. Another time, you were snuggling into my side. It was a nice way to wake up.”

“Shit.” She laughs.

“I liked it.” I trail my fingers up her arm.

“Good thing. But I will never believe I make noises.” She shivers as I trace circles over her collarbone.

“Believe it or not.” She narrows her eyes.

“Where’s Atlas?” she asks.

“He’s at Quinn’s office with Allie. They are going over the habits of Fredrick.” I drag my hand between her breasts and drop it next to her hand.

“Has he been spotted nearby?” she asks.

“I don’t know. Atlas will tell me later.”

“Aren’t you concerned?”

“I am, but I know Atlas has it handled.” I lift a shoulder. “He’s always been a leader. He solves problems. Growing up, he was responsible and took care of us.”

“I can see that,” she says. “What about you?”

“I was the one who needed saving,” I admit.

“What do you mean?” She frowns.

“I was small and quiet. I didn’t enjoy the things other kids did.

Reading wasn’t something you should do for fun.

I got used to taking a punch or a kick. For a long time, I hid what was happening.

My father would always say, ‘boys will be boys .’ He wanted me to develop thick skin.

He verbally berated me on a daily basis.

I was too sensitive. Atlas was strong, outgoing, and had more girlfriends.

I loved him and looked up to him, so admitting that I was being hit was humiliating,” I grumble.

“He wouldn’t think less of you,” she says.

“No, he wouldn’t.” I sigh. “He didn’t. He kicked the shit out of them when he found out. Sticking up for me was second nature to him. I enjoyed seeing him bring them down.”

“I’m glad he did.”

“I like quiet. Watching my mom garden was more fun to me than running around causing trouble. One of the boys saw me one day, and it didn’t help my reputation.

I was supposed to be tough. She gave me the peace I needed.

” Sally threads her fingers through mine.

“When I became a vampire, I went wild. All that power flowing through my veins. My body grew, and I wasn’t a boy anymore.

I fought anyone who was willing. There were many close calls revealing what I was.

I didn’t hold back. I killed many, either with my fists or feeding.

I didn’t care about anything. All my aggression from my human life was enhanced.

I was so fucking angry, and I had the gifts to throw that anger at anyone I wanted.

Poor Atlas was dealing with his cravings, but he always came to the rescue.

He changed the memories of the humans and cleaned up the blood after me. ”

“Did he try to stop you?” she asks.

“No. He knew I needed to get it all out.” I smile slightly.

“He always knew what I needed. There were a few times he joined in the chaos. He was my big brother but also a new vampire who was testing his limits. I’m not proud of everything I did.

I don’t excuse it. The truth is, I liked it.

We didn’t have anyone to guide us, so we didn’t have limits.

For three kids who lived in a hostile home, we did well holding ourselves back.

” I watch my thumb stroke her hand. “It was years before we saw another vampire.

It was odd meeting him. He saw me picking a fight for no reason and stepped in to help.

The man was human. The vampire took me to the side and educated me on a few things.

He hit me twice and told me to start thinking instead of acting on every impulse.

“It was difficult. Atlas had lectured me before, but for some reason, having a stranger do it made it more effective. I started to think before acting. I was still wild. It took several more years to stop and deal with my anger. Humans meant nothing to me, and I wanted to punish them. I should have hated being a vampire—a vampire killed my mom. Yet I couldn’t.

I was in love with the power.” I roll to my back.

“Becoming something I didn’t know could exist was the best thing that happened to me. The guilt has been hard to live with.”

“You have no reason to feel guilty.” She slides close, wrapping her hand around my waist. “I get it. I’ve always been small. Other shifters have underestimated me because of my species. I love it when they do, and I relish showing them they shouldn’t.”

“I do too. I always thought I took too much satisfaction in bringing them down,” I confess.

“It’s fun.” She lifts a shoulder. “I’ve been misjudged my whole life.”

“We met a pair of mated rabbit shifters. They were wild. We spent a night at a bar with them. I thought I was out of control. They hardly drank a drop yet were dancing on the tables at the end of the night.” I rub her arm, distracted by her body pressed against me.

“So maybe we overcompensate,” she laughs.

“They had every right to be confident.” I roll and face her. “You do too. You're beautiful, and can hold your own in a fight.” I rub a strand of her hair between my thumb and forefinger. “The human at the club was weak. I’d love to see you take on a shifter.”

“You probably shouldn’t encourage me,” she warns, smirking.

“We could be trouble together.” I lift a brow. “My anger issues aren’t completely gone. I will never lose the wild side.”

“That doesn’t scare me,” she says softly.

“I want to make you come while I feed on your blood,” I growl, cupping the side of her neck. “Does that scare you?” Judging from the desire in her scent, it doesn’t.

“Are you hungry?” she asks huskily.

“Around you? Always.” My fangs are throbbing, ready to strike.

“I’ve heard it can be pleasurable,” she says.

“It is. If I want it to be.” I grind my teeth together.

“How fast do you think I can come? While you are feeding?”

“Is that a challenge?” I ask.

“Maybe.”

“I like a challenge.”

“I mean…” She pushes the blankets down to her feet. “I’m already naked.”

I keep my eyes on hers. “Be sure. I don’t want to pressure you.”

“I’ve said it before…” She lies on her back and looks at me. “I don’t ever do anything I don’t want to do.” She bites her lip. “Drink from me. I don’t want you to drink from a blood bag.”

“What if I can’t stop?” I ask, fearing my demon will lose control.

“Then you’ll have to turn me. I won’t be mad. I’m not going to refuse the bond. I’d like a bit more time before we complete it, but if it happens, it happens.” She holds my eyes, showing her truth in her eyes.

“What’s your word?” I ask.

“Rabbit's foot.”

I gaze at her bare body for the first time in the light.

My mate is stunning. She’s slim, but her hips are curved gently.

Her legs are toned, her stomach flat, and her breasts are enough to fill my hand.

Her confidence is the most alluring thing about her.

I love knowing she isn’t ashamed of her body or her species.

Her life has been difficult and sad, yet she built herself up after devastation. I admire her.

“What is the bet?” I ask.

“If you can make me come, with just feeding, no touching, you win.”

“What do I win?”

“Whatever you want.”

“That's dangerous.”

“I love danger.”

“If I don’t?”

“Whatever I want.”

“Deal.” I sit up. “Ready?” She nods and then gasps as I blur over her. In a blink, I’m on my hands and knees, caging her under me. I breathe deeply, loving the smell of her heat. “Fuck, I love your scent. I love knowing I’m what is making the heat rise.”

“That’s unfair,” she whispers.

“What? My words?” I smile.

“Yes.”

“You made the rules. Talking to you isn’t prohibited,” I remind her, enjoying her glare.

“Damn. True.”

“Tricks, I’m going to enjoy the fuck out of you.

” Her cheeks flush, and I love that too.

I lower my head, my nose close to her skin, yet not making contact.

I slowly trail down her body, barely above her skin, until I reach her feet.

“You also never said where to bite you.” Her mouth is parted, her eyes tracking every move.

“Bend your leg, hold it to the side. I can only use my mouth.” I lift away slightly as she slides her leg up and cups the back of her knee.

I tilt my head, and my nostrils flare at the picture she makes.

Her breath escalates as I move down and to the side, my knees between her spread legs. I want to eat her.

“Sweet Jesus,” she rasps.

My eyes glow as my demon surfaces, scenting her blood and her willingness to feed us.

I flex my jaw, my fangs emerging. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to find the control to stop once I start.

Sally squirms, the sound of the sheets loud, along with our hearts.

Opening my eyes, I focus on her pulse at the crook of her leg.

I can’t hold back any longer. Lunging forward, I sink into her flesh.

At the first pull of her sweet blood, I moan.

I’ve never tasted someone so sweet. She fuels the beast and coats my throat with ambrosia.

I can feel it flowing through my body, making me impossibly stronger.

Her cries are filled with pleasure, and it satisfies me on another level.

It would be so easy to push my venom into her body, turning her.

So. Easy.

My chest pounds, my demon wanting more. When I was turned and fed for the first time, I thought nothing could compare. I was wrong. I take a deep pull and hear her groaning deeply. She’s close. Her legs thrash, and her hips thrust. Her sweet noises get louder and I feel them in my cock.

I fear that if I take more and win, I will take it all.

Ripping my mouth away, I fly across the room, crouching against the wall, one hand steepled on the floor. I close my eyes and breathe deeply.

“Fuck,” Sally moans. “I’ve never had less satisfaction on winning a bet than right now.”

I laugh abruptly. “I almost lost control.” Opening my eyes, I watch her lick her lips.

“Key word, almost,” she says, pressing her palm to her stomach. “Do you have a handle on it?”

“Barely,” I rasp.

“Find it,” she demands. “If you don’t make me come, I’ll do it myself.” She wiggles, and her hand slides down, pressing her clit.

“Sally,” I growl.

“Yeah?” Her finger glides into her pussy and I clench my jaw. It’s beautiful, but I want to finish what I started.

“Remove your hand,” I command, rising and stepping away from the wall.

“Make me,” she taunts, smirking. I fly forward, fling her hand away, and suck her clit. “Yes.” Her hand threads through my hair.

Thrusting two fingers inside her, I scrape my fang over her clit and she thrusts. I didn’t get to taste her last night, and I hated Atlas for a moment for getting the pleasure. Pressing my tongue against her clit hard, and I grin and swallow as she comes. Her sweet cries make me hard again.

I lick her lips and then sit on my heels. “Thank you, Tricks.”

“I feel like I should be thanking you,” she says, sprawled before me.

“You won the bet.” She wraps her feet around my waist and pulls me closer. I give in and give her what she wants, pressing my body flush with hers, my forearms on either side of her head. “What do you want?”

“I haven’t decided,” she says, staring up at me. “Do I have a time limit to cash in?”

“No.” I kiss her gently.

“I’ll think about it.” She glides her hands up my sides, cupping my shoulders. “It was a close call,” she mentions lightly.

“For me too. I knew if I drank more, I wouldn’t stop.” I kiss her forehead. “You tempt me.”

“I like it.” She grins, and I shake my head. “That was a great way to start the day.” She threads her hands through my hair. “We should go to the office. Quinn hates it when I’m late. He can’t run the office without me.”

“You’re curious about what they have discovered,” I guess.

“Aren’t you?” she asks.

“Yes, but this is more enjoyable.” I bite her lip and then lick it.

“Well, of course it is.” She sucks her bottom lip. “But we should join them. The faster we find the vampire, the sooner we can have more mornings like this.”

“Are you weak?” I drank deeply. Humans become weak and need to go slowly after a vampire feeds on them. I’ve never fed on a shifter, so I’m unsure how it will affect her.

“I’m made of strong stock.” She grins and then pushes my shoulders. “If we don’t leave the bed now, we never will.”

“That’s a bad thing?” I grumble, but I roll to the side. Sally jumps up and I watch her gorgeous ass move toward the bathroom.

“Eyes up here, boyfriend,” she says, and I glance up. “I need a shower and food before we go fight evil.”

“Sure, Tricks.” I stand and smile as her focus drops to my hard cock.

“Eyes up,” I tease. She flushes and rushes into the bathroom.

Her blood is rushing through my body. She’s acting as if it wasn’t a big deal, but it was to me.

Her trust is valuable, and I’m grateful I was able to hold back. Sally surprises me every minute.

Our lives will never be boring with Tricks controlling the games.