Page 73 of Love Bleeds

Chapter Twenty-Five

With a heavy heart, Crimson watched Luke leave the dining room. He wanted nothing more than to follow him up the stairs and make good on the promises he'd whispered into his ears, but that would have to wait.

He'd nearly lost control there, just a moment ago.

If Luke hadn't tensed up...

He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. The sweet smell of Luke's blood still hung in the air, tempting him.

But he couldn't bite Luke, couldn't break his trust like that. Couldn't let Nicolai find him.

If he couldn't control himself, though...

There was really only one thing he could do.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Aldrich’s number.

It took a while for the call to connect. Aldrich was probably outside somewhere, either scouting for information or having a drink. Finally, he answered his phone. "Didn't thinkyouwould call."

"You gave me your number."

"Can't blame a vamp for trying." His smile was audible in his voice, but then, he quickly turned serious. "What's up?" he asked. "Something wrong with the nerdling?"

"Nothing's wrong with Luke. But there may be something wrong with me," Crimson admitted.

"You're getting hungry, aren't you?" Aldrich guessed correctly.

"Can we talk in person?"

The other end of the line was quiet for a beat, then, "I'll wrap up here. Don't bite anyone until I get there, okay? And the blood in the fridge is off limits too." He paused. "Do I have to get Talon to chain you up?"

"I'll be fine," Crimson said, because there was still something he needed to do. Something that he'd promised Luke.

"All right. See you in a bit." Aldrich ended the call and Crimson slid the phone back into his pocket, exhaling. Once Aldrich got here, he would own up to his problem and let the other vampires handle it. He would accept any solution they came up with as long as it meant keeping Luke safe.

Until then...

He made his way up the stairs and into Luke's bedroom.

Luke sat on the edge of the bed, his cheeks a bright red. He was staring at something in his hands.

"What do you have there?" Crimson asked.

"Um..." Luke licked his lips as if he wasn't sure what to say. "I guess one of my siblings left this in my room. I bet it was Collin." He held the items up for Crimson to see. A small flask of lube and a pack of condoms.

Crimson sat down next to Luke and wrapped one arm around him. Then he placed a kiss on Luke's cheek, willing him to relax. This was so not the way he'd pictured tonight going. "We don't have to do anything that requires those things if you're not comfortable with it."

"I know that! It's just..." Luke huffed. "I know they all know what we're doing, but do they have to be so obvious about it?" He buried his face in his hands, dropping the lube and condoms in his lap.

Crimson tried hard not to laugh at his friend's embarrassment, but honestly, Luke was adorable like that. "If you want to, we can leave something on Collin's bed in return," he suggested.

"Like what?"

Crimson shrugged. "How do you think he'd feel about finding a dildo?"

Luke's eyes widened. "Oh God, I couldn't... You know he'd probably post a picture on Instagram and thank me."

"If he's not ashamed, why do you have to be?" Crimson asked, rubbing Luke's shoulder.