Page 116 of New Nebraska Heat

I should’ve known Seb would never wish so desperately for something that would cause me pain.

Poor, Seb. I’d accidentally made him feel so guilty. I wanted to mend that.

“Can you give me a few minutes?” I asked, pressing my fingers to my temple, focusing.

“Can I take off my T-shirt while I wait?”

I reached for his rock-hard dick. “Yes. Everything else too,Detective.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He stood and began stripping slowly.

I looked away. Not because I was shy, but because I wanted to see Seb enjoying everything with us too.

Hey, you around, Superman?

I’m here. Seren… I am so, so sorry. I fucked up doubly tonight. I should’ve done something to dampen my cravings before we did anything. My barrier wasn’t strong enough.I heard an internal groan of pained frustration.

It’s okay. You’re allowed to want to feed. It’s part of your biology, and my hangups about it have nothing to do with you.

But I never want to do anything that triggers bad thoughts or memories for you. I should’ve been more careful.

Seb, seriously, you are so beyond forgiven.

I waited through his long pause, sensing the slight uptick in his mood.Thank you. For understanding. For everything.

Dagger just told me something very interesting about your vamp venom.I worked to put a smile into my thoughts.

Oh?

Mm-hmm. We’re here in Hunter’s room. Why don’t you come inside and we’ll talk about it? I’ve got some things I want to try.

Are you sure?

His doubt stirred my own trepidation, and the old armor tried to fasten around my ribs, but I fought to shirk it off.Get in here, and we’ll find out together.

Serenity

Seb.

Seren. You look g-gorgeous. I mean you always do. But those pajamas…

Thank you. I was going to take them off, but if you like them so much, I suppose I can keep them on.

Much as I hate to say it… might be safer that way.Sad eyes roved me as he rubbed sheepishly at his neck.

Seb, quit beating yourself up, please. I’m not afraid ofyou. It was a knee-jerk reaction… to your fangs. Not to you. Not really.

Guilt tore at me. It wasn’t his fault, but he still blamed himself.

It still never should have happened.His face was pained, his internal voice raw.It won’t again. I’ll do better.

But I don’t want you to have to suppress that side of you.Or filter your thoughts.I smiled, and his expression softened.In fact… Dagger says venom can take pain away.I perched on the edge of the bed, arching my back ever so slightly, drawing his eyeexactly where I wanted it.I was thinking you could show me that side of it. Help me experience it in a new way. The both of you…

Seb’s eyes flew wide.Really?

“You two know I can’t hear your whole mind chat thing, right?” Dagger stood at the foot of the bed with his chiseled chest on display and dropped his shirt to the floor.

“Just filling Seb in,” I said around a smile.