Page 40 of Desired for Her Blood

I’m beyond relieved that he listened. That he hasn’t pushed me away.

His hands are resting on his thighs, not touching me, and I’m purposefully only letting my upper body rest against him, careful not to accidentally press against his groin.

I assume that he dealt with his hard on already, given all the time he spent back here while Ryker and I… I close my eyes against the memories of my day of lovemaking. But still, I don’t want to do anything that might make Axe hard again.

“So you don’t hate me?” I ask softly, breaking his long silence.

“Hate you?” He shifts behind me. “I couldneverhate you.”

“I’m glad,” I say softly. “And even if Zuben is right and I do have magic, I don’t have a clue how to use it.”

“You made me realize that not all witches are evil.”

Tipping my head, I try to see his face, but it’s too dark and the angle’s all wrong. “What Octavia and those witches—or magic keepers—did to your family was unforgivable.”

“That it was,” he says gruffly. “That it was.”

“There’s something else I want to talk about,” I say softly.

“Sure.” He bends one of his legs and rests his hand on his knee. “What’s on your mind?”

“I want to apologize—”

“Apologize? For what?”

“For pressuring you. Back when I was feeling so…so sexual. I shouldn’t have tried—”

“I’m the one who owes you an apology.” His deep voice rumbles through me.

Twisting, I lean back against his upper arm so I can see his face, and he looks down into my eyes. His golden eyes glow bright in the darkness and faint light filters through the waterfall dancing over his strong features.

“Why wouldyouapologize?” I shake my head. “You told me how you felt, and about your wife…” About how his clan takes monogamy so seriously that theyneverbreak their vows. “You told me all that, but I still came on so strong. I forced you—”

He shakes his head. “You didn’t force me to do a thing.” His hand moves from his thigh to my upper arm and squeezes gently. “It was my pleasure to giveyoupleasure.” He grins.

I can barely make out his lips, but can see the humor and affection mixed in with the kindness in his eyes.

“Believe me—” I close my eyes on a long inhale ‘’—the pleasure was all mine.”

“Of that, I am glad.” He bends to kiss my forehead, just below my hairline and even that slight contact sends a thrill racing through me. This man, this bear, this vampire…as deep as my feelings have become for Ryker, I feel even safer with Axe, certain he’d die before he’d ever let me come to harm, and that feeling of safety, of protection and belonging, is something I didn’t know I needed or craved until I felt it. Felt it here in Axe’s arms.

“You are in love with Ryker,” Axe says. A statement not a question.

“Why do you say that?” I twist my body a bit further and place my hand lightly on his chest, loving how his inhalations change in reaction to my touch.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” he says, sounding guilty. “Not really. But I did check in once and a while to make sure you were safe.”

I nod and my teeth graze my lower lip as I hold back a smile. I love the idea that he was checking up on me when I was with Ryker. I love it more than I can explain to myself.

“So,” Axe says, his voice deep. “Am I correct? Do you love him?”

I shake my head against his arm. “I don’t know. I might. I’m not sure. But…” I play with his chest hair. “I think that’s something I should discuss with Ryker first, not you.”

“Fair enough.” His hand rises from my arm to my face and he brushes some hairs behind my ear, before cupping my cheek.

“I did a lot of thinking today,” he says.

“That’s what you were doing back here all alone?” I smile. “Thinking?”