Page 139 of New Nebraska Heat

You’re giving me something I never thought I’d have either. I never thought, after the den, that I’d feel this brave or this accepted or anywhere near this happy.I brushed back his dark hair.So please. Drink.

Seb exhaled slowly, shakily, then moved his lips over my wrist. I watched his fangs descend and felt no jolt of fear, just a slight sting, lighter than a needle, and then noth—oh. Wow. Seb had only been half right about how I’d feel. Because I was feeling something.

My body was warm, fuzzy, as I stroked his hair and Hunter did the same to me. I closed my eyes and drank in the sensations that tingled up my arm and across my chest, enveloping my head in a delicious drowsiness. The comforting sensation grew as he fed,his mouth, his clasp, both so tender. I let out a long sigh and eased against the pillow’s cotton.

What’s happening?I asked as ecstasy crackled up my neck and burst in colorful fireworks inside my head, its light obliterating every horror from the feeding den still lurking in the deep recesses.It feels amazing, like I’m still half in a dream.

It’s because you’re mine and I’m yours. My venom is more powerful. Here, have more.

Oh damn. The warm glow grew. An invisible cocoon around me, it wrapped itself snug and silky, protecting and reassuring. Pure euphoria.

His enraptured sigh echoed in my head and caressed my skin on his exhale.God, I can taste your soul, and it’s heavenly just like I imagined. You really are my Lois Lane.

I chuckled.

Words began to fail me as I took a handful of his hair, massaging his scalp, then moving down his neck as Hunter’s hands did the same to my shoulders, relaxing me so much I thought I might float away.

When I’m better, I’m going to worship every inch of you.

Lust rippled down my spine.Then you’d better suck harder and get all you need.

His mouth still on my wrist, he massaged my thigh and drank deeper, surging the beauty of his soul through me.

Thank you, Seren. You’ve given me life. And now mine belongs to you.

The adoration washed through our mental connection and fuzzed my brain. I couldn’t answer.

Seb lifted his head slowly and licked his lips clean.

Dagger leaned over and dabbed at my wrist with a tissue. “How do you feel, Cowgirl?” he murmured. “You look ready to drift off.”

“I’m perfect,” I sighed.

“That’s put some color in your cheeks, angel. Not just his. And look at that smile,” Bryce said softly.

I opened my eyes to my personal heaven, all of them surrounding me, their eyes gentle. Seb’s had lost the red branches through the whites, and all that color had gone into his face.

“How doyoufeel?” I asked him.

He stroked up and down my forearm, propping himself up on the pillow with ease and not a trace of a wince. “Amazing. Thank you, beautiful.”

I kissed him, lingering on his mouth, letting my tongue barely trace his upper lip, feeling the fangs behind it. Then I rolled onto my back and extended my arms up to Hunter, wearing an ornery grin. “Carry me to my pancakes?”

Serenity

After a few more days of feeding Seb, I stopped noticing painful pinches in my wound, and I didn’t get winded from simple tasks. That didn’t stop Hunter from carrying me around, despite Bryce’s doctor clearing me for work.

I let the pampering go on a little longer because I couldn’t resist the way his eyes softened when he held me.

He placed me carefully on his bed and pulled the cool sheet up to my chest. “Goodnight, Little Dancer. I promise I’ll be quiet when I come back in later.”

I reached out and took hold of his arm. “Stay. I’m not tired yet.”

Smiling, he stroked my hair and propped himself on the edge of the mattress. “You need rest.”

I raised the sheet. “I’ll rest better with you.”

“I’ll stay for just a minute.”