Page 101 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

I sigh. "I'm nervous."

"About Bastian's wedding? I think the hard part is over."

I shake my head and set my glass down. "About ours."

He raises an eyebrow. "Are you worried about being married to me?"

"No," I say quickly, not wanting him to believe that even for a second. I'm sure we're going to have challenges to deal with, but I'm also certain that we'll be able to face them.

"Then what is it?" He puts down his glass and steps towards me, concern written on his face.

I swallow hard, not entirely sure how to put this, but after witnessing another wedding ceremony, it's the only thing I can think about. "I'm nervous about drinking from you for the first time. There'll be so many people watching, and when I've had the urge to bite you before it's because..."

"You've wanted something."

"Because I've wanted you," I respond. "I guess I'm worried that if I bite you in front of people then I'll lose control or something."

"I see." The intensity in Linc's gaze is hard to ignore. "There's a solution."

"There is?"

He reaches out and pulls me to him, my back pressing against his chest. I can feel his heart racing and it makes my own respond in kind.

He lifts his wrist to my lips. "Bite me, Bea."

"But..." Despite my weak attempt at a protest, my fangs are already out, pushing against my lips and desperate for me to listen to him.

"If you're worried about the first time being in front of other people, then let's make sure it isn't the first time."

Hunger unlike any I've ever known fills me and I reach up to take his arm in my hands, drawing it closer to my mouth. My teeth press against his skin and he takes a sharp breath, but I can tell it's not from pain. He's looking forward to this, and judging from the intensity of the hunger within me, so am I.

Without thinking too hard about it, I sink my teeth into his wrist. They slide through his skin easily and the sweet taste of blood explodes in my mouth. It's even more intense than when I drink it from the goblet, though I don't know if that's because this is vampire blood I'm tasting, or if it's the act of drinking from the vein. I'm not sure it matters, because right now the only thing I can think of is how good it feels.

Linc's free hand splays across my stomach and I can feel the heat of his touch even through my dress. I retract my teeth and trace the wounds with my tongue.

A soft groan comes from Linc and he shifts slightly away from me.

I turn around, looking at him in concern. "Are you all right?"

He lets out a flustered chuckle. "I'm fine, Bea. That just affected me."

Understanding dawns on me and I glance down.

"Not helping," he mutters.

"Is that a problem?" I step closer, giving him a moment to get away if he wants to.

"No, I suppose not," he murmurs, his breath fanning against my lips. "Do you feel better now?"

My tongue darts out across my bottom lip, tasting the last traces of his blood there. "Yes and no."

He raises an eyebrow.

"Well, now I want to know what it's like to be drunk from," I say, tracing a pattern against his chest. "And there are a few other things I'm curious about."

"Is that so?"

I nod.