Page 59 of Taming His Vampire Mate

“When our donors say no, we respect it. Then we call someone who says yes. That’s why it’s anetworkof donors. The vampires who live in Seattle stay because they like playing by the rules. If they didn’t, they’d leave.”

I glanced over at Thierry. “Not every city has the same rules?”

“Please keep your eyes on the road,” he said. “I’m already light-headed from saving your life last night. I’d rather not do it again tonight.”

But then he grimaced, and I sensed the flash of unease that rippled through the bond.Why on earth do I keep saying more than I intend to around him? Jeremy needn’t know that I’m hungry.

“I hope the donors get paid really well. Getting bit last night hurt,” I said at last. “Alot.”

Thierry was quiet a long moment, seething—not at me, but at himself for letting that happen.

“It doesn’t always,” he said finally.

“It doesn’t always what? Hurt?”

“Vampires can choose what our bite feels like. We can make it so there’s no pain. No sensation at all, even. Some vampires make it agonizing. Or it can be rather… enjoyable.”

A memory flooded between us—one of his feeding partners groaning in pleasure, Thierry’s hands on smooth, firm muscle. Warmth and safety. Intimacy.

Cold fury ripped through me.Mine.Thierry was mine. No one else’s.

But could I let him do that to me?

His soft lips on my throat? The feel of his touch, strong but still gentle, holding me still. His skin silky smooth, his muscles lean and hard as he pressed himself against me, his breath warm on my neck as he prepared to—

“Dammit, Jeremy!” Thierry hissed when I got so distracted I swerved into the oncoming lane.

Thankfully there was no traffic. I immediately corrected. No harm done.

“What was that?” he demanded.

I shifted in my seat, hard as a rock, heat creeping into my cheeks. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Hmm.”

“So,” I said after a pause. “Do you usually make it… pleasurable?”

“Jealous?”

“Yes.”

He went still, startled. Then: “No. Not unless I’m exceptionally familiar with my partner and that is what they wish. Giving pleasure without consent is forcing intimacy. That’s not my style, wolf.”

When I sensed through the bond that he wasn’t lying, I relaxed a notch. But I didn’t like the idea of his lips on anyone else, even if it was solely for sustenance.

“You could’ve killed Quinn last night,” Thierry said. “He attacked you. And a single newborn vampire with no grasp of his abilities wouldn’t have been a match for an alpha. You could have destroyed him. Easily.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“You know why.”

He went rigid, and for a split second I thought he was going to berate me for being an idiot. But then he scowled and said, “Thank you.”

By the time we reached Seattle, it was clear: it wasn’t just that Thierry was destined to be mine. Sure, there was an undeniable supernatural connection between us—now twice over, considering the telepathic bond and the wolf mate bond that had already been growing steadily since I first met him. But apart from that, I found—much to my own surprise—that spending time with him was… nice.

I liked him. As a person. I hadn’t felt that way with anyone since Ian.