Page 104 of Inhuman Nature

Just like with DJ. That thought brought Rake back to the current moment, and he hissed as Lynette’s fangs pierced the thin skin at his wrist.

She drank perfunctorily, and whilst it lasted a mere few seconds, time dragged for Rake. Goosebumps broke out over every inch of his body, and he clenched his jaw to stop himself from shuddering. When Lynette drew back, her tongue flicked out to lick at the wound.

Quick as a whip, Rake pulled his hand out of the way. “No,” he said.

Lynette raised her hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Force of habit. Your vow to me, now.”

Rake did as directed, promising to follow her rule and the laws that governed vampire society—not that he knew exactly what those entailed yet. Once DJ was safe, he’d ask for a complete list.

As Rake made his vow, Shaun slid onto his lap and, after a questioning glance, took Rake’s bleeding wrist into his mouth, replacing the marks Lynette had left with his own. It soothed Rake right down to his soul. He dragged Shaun closer, arm curling around his back.

“Do you all need to feed?” Lynette asked.

“We will,” Kit said. “I take it you’re up for providing?”

“Winnie, contact some of our regulars,” Lynette ordered.

“I can’t stomach the idea of feeding from someone,” Rake whispered to Shaun. Despite the growing hunger coursing through him, nausea rose at the thought of touching anyone other than Shaun or DJ.

Shaun pulled off Rake’s wrist, licking his pink lips. “You’re comfortable feeding from me, though?”

“Of course.”

“Then you can just do that. I’ll drink enough from others to sustain the both of us.”

“Will that work?”

Shaun gave a small shrug. “I imagine so. Lawrence fed from me often. I don’t think he only did it for control. He got nourishment from it.”

That…didn’t make it any better. “I don’t want to put you in the same position he did.” It was bad enough that his fangs throbbed with a need to accept the invitation. But doing so when it was an activity Lawrence had imposed on Shaun was like forcing him to relive his trauma all over again.

Shaun didn’t seem to share Rake’s reservations. He tilted his neck back in offering, exposing his throat. “Please, Sir.”

Rake couldn’t have stopped himself. He dived down on Shaun’s neck, registering the faint, “Oh,” Shaun let out.

The second the taste of Shaun’s blood hit Rake’s tongue, everything else fell away.

Shaun was like a cold glass of ice water on a hot summer day. Crisp and refreshing, going down easy. It quenched Rake’s thirst like nothing ever had before. He drank deep, clinging to Shaun.

“Sir.”

Rake buried his fangs further in Shaun’s neck. He neededmore.

“Rake.”

His lips pressed against Shaun’s skin, trying to get more of Shaun’s essence. Knowing that he was consuming Shaun was exhilarating. He wanted to bury himself inside of Shaun, bite him and fuck him and—

“Red, Rake!” The use of the safeword and Shaun’s panicked voice broke through Rake’s psyche. Shaun scrabbled at his biceps, pushing him off. Panic exploded in Rake so fast he sprang to his feet, sending Shaun flying off his lap and onto the floor.

The grey pallor of Shaun’s skin didn’t lessen Rake’s panic, but it was the hurt on Shaun’s face that speared him right to his core. Kit had moved closer to them, crouched low in what looked like a fighting stance.

“Shit,” Rake swore. “Shaun, I’m so sorry. I lost control. I wasn’t able to stop. You’re stronger than me. You should have hit me or something.” He knelt down, not sure if Shaun would allow Rake to touch him.

But Shaun smiled reassuringly and reached a hand out, pressing it to Rake’s chest. “I’m all right. I didn’t want to resort to hurting you unless I needed to.”

“I’m so sorry,” Rake repeated, covering Shaun’s hand with his own.

“You didn’t mean it. Your instincts are in overdrive right now. I’m surprised you stopped at all—it’s hard when you’re new. Lawrence had to monitor my feedings for months.”