Page 36

M y bladder burns with the need to pee, the pressure almost unbearable. Eyes fluttering open, pillars of light stream through the window next to Viktor’s bed.

Viktor’s bed. Smiling, I snuggle deeper into the sheets as my brain recounts every way he used my body last night. First, in front of the window, where anyone could see. Then again, in the shower.

Like he said, he washed the cum and blood from my body, only to dirty me up again.

And I loved every second of it.

Afterward, he made me drink an entire bottle of water and eat a snack. Something about needing to keep my energy up for round three.

Finally, we collapsed in his bed, and I had the best sleep of my life, cocooned in his strong arms. The steady rise and fall of his chest against my back, like the most soothing lullaby.

The arm draped over my waist tightens, pulling me into a cool body. Viktor nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck. “Mmm… Too early.” Grit and gravel coat his voice, making my clit light up in anticipation. But… then the pressure in my bladder takes over again, demanding attention.

Turning my head, I press a kiss to his soft pale hair, whispering, “My bladder is about to explode. I’ll be right back.”

Sleepy crimson eyes meet mine as he lifts his head. “Promise.” His lower lip presses out, like the cutest pouting puppy.

A lock of hair falls over his strong brow, giving him a boyish appearance this morning. Automatically, my fingers smooth it back before I press a kiss to his lips. “Now who’s the needy one?”

My bladder screams again, threatening to burst. Must pee now!

Pulling away from the Adonis next to me, I slide out from under the sheets. Viktor tugs my pillow into his arms and promptly falls back asleep.

After all the emotions and fucking into the early hours of the morning, he must be exhausted.

Surprisingly, I feel refreshed and better than I have in years.

Viktor’s white dress shirt is draped over the back of the chair by his dresser. Snagging it, I slip my arms into the sleeves and fasten one of the buttons to hold it closed. Like a warm hug, his scent surrounds me, and I pull the collar to my nose, sucking in a greedy breath .

After emptying my poor bladder, I go to the sink to wash my hands. In the mirror, I barely recognize the woman reflected back to me. Curls in a disheveled halo around my head after going to bed with wet hair last night. Rosy cheeks accentuate the spray of freckles on the bridge of my nose.

Bunching my hair on the top of my head, I spot the twin puncture marks on my neck.

Heat thrums in my veins and my pussy clenches. The marks solidify Viktor’s words from last night. That I’m his . And he’s mine .

Being claimed by him feels so right. After years of grieving, I’m finally ready to open my life to this kind and caring vampire.

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I spot a small glass jar of hair ties on the counter. I steal one—Viktor won’t mind—and throw my curls into a bun.

Since I’m taking advantage of Viktor’s hospitality, I also snag a swig of his mouthwash.

No one likes morning breath. Spitting the minty liquid in the sink, my gaze flicks back to the mirror.

The skin under her eyes is finally free from the dark circles that had become permanent residents on my face.

The woman in the mirror is happy.

Unbelievably so, for the first time in over four years.

“You deserve it, Mags. You deserve him .” With a smile, I turn and exit the bathroom.

Back in the bedroom, I find Viktor still asleep.

One leg hooks over the covers so his perfect pale butt is on display.

I bite my bottom lip, eyes wandering from his broad shoulders and down the hollow of his back to the juicy cheeks of his ass.

There’s something about a man with a nice, round, biteable ass. Bringing my fist to my mouth, I groan.

I might have to try that later .

Viktor may not be the only one who enjoys biting in this relationship.

Letting my vampire rest, I find my way to the kitchen for some morning caffeine.

A fancy coffee machine waits on the counter for me. In the cupboard above, there are single serve pods in various flavors.

“Can’t go wrong with a breakfast blend.” I slip a mug under the machine, pop the green coffee pod in, and hit Brew .

Before I close the cabinet door, my eyes catch on a black plastic tub on the bottom shelf.

Crimson Destroyer is emblazoned in blood-red block letters above a shirtless gym bro.

His skin is pale, and veins protrude along the boulders of muscle lining his upper body.

Snarled lips showcase sharp fangs dripping with blood.

And his eyes have a predatory gleam that’s downright frightening.

Gnarly. This must be the synthetic blood supplement Viktor uses.

Unscrewing the lid, I sniff. A pungent, acidic odor hits my nostrils, and I pull back before I cough all over the powder inside the container.

This is what he’s been drinking?

Shrugging, I dump a scoop into the steaming coffee, mixing thoroughly before getting to work on my own.

By the time I come back into the bedroom, Viktor is sitting with his back propped against the tufted headboard. He scratches his chest and yawns .

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I wasn’t sure how you take your coffee, but I found the blood powder in your cupboard. What’s up with the dude on the label?” Holding back my laughter, I take a seat on the edge of the bed and extend the mug to him.

His chuckle is thick with sleep when he takes the mug.

“The model is some famous body builder, but it’s the only brand I’ve found that tastes close enough to the real thing.

” The thick muscles of his throat constrict when he drinks.

“It’s perfect, country girl. Thank you.” Another sip and he sets the mug on the nightstand.

Over the rim of my coffee, I peer at him, curiosity rippling under my skin. “What…um. What does it taste like? The fake blood?”

Smirking, twin fangs glint in the morning sun. “Do you want to try?”

Before I can answer, his hand blurs, and he takes the mug from my hands, setting it next to his. Big hands wrap around my waist, and he pulls me into his lap, my naked core settling against his hard shaft.

I’m still reeling from how fast he managed to get me in a compromising position as he grabs the mug of blood coffee again and lifts it to my lips.

“W-Will it hurt me?”

“No, but I don’t think you’ll like it. It’s… an acquired taste.” He winks.

Hesitantly, I wrap my mouth around the rim of the mug and take a miniscule sip.

The bright notes of coffee hit my tongue first, followed by an acidic coppery tang.

It’s not terrible, but… “Definitely an acquired taste,” I croak before running my tongue around my mouth, but the unsavory flavor lingers.

Viktor chuckles, setting the mug to the side again. His fingers band around the sides of my throat in a possessive hold as he brings my lips to his. The kiss is slow and sweet until his tongue snakes against mine. He must get a taste of the lingering blood on my tongue because he groans.

“ You taste so much better, country girl. Sweet. Succulent. Perfect .”

The fingers of his free hand dig into my ass, and he guides me to grind against his hard length. It lays flat against his stomach, so my clit bumps against the piercings on the underside with each rock of my hips.

Sparks fly behind my closed eyelids, and my fingers weave into his hair, soft like fine strands of silk.

“I love you, Maggie. My mate.”

My eyes spring open, and my lips part from his with a pop . “Mate? What does that mean?”

Cyrus and Antoinette are mates, but she’s a dragon shifter, not a vampire. Are mate bonds the same for all monsters?

Suddenly, my back hits the mattress and heated ruby eyes bore down on me, Viktor’s large frame looming over mine. “Do you remember the first time I fed on you?”

I nod, heart beating a little faster as I clutch his biceps. “You grew claws, and your eyes glowed. The same thing happened last night.”

Even now, there’s a luminosity to his beautiful irises that’s not normally there, like my blood is still coursing through his system .

“I knew that first night, but I was a coward. Afraid you’d run if you knew the truth. But my body’s reaction to your blood… It means you’re my mate. It means—if you accept—our souls would be bonded together forever.”

All the air leaves my lungs when his hand finds my throat again, and he tips my chin to his. “When I look at you, my whole life makes sense, Maggie.”

“B-But you’re immortal. And I’m… not.” My stomach twists. “How would that work?”

Viktor sighs, closing his eyes and resting his forehead against mine. “I’m still working on that part. Do you trust me?”

Again, I nod. “Yes. I love you, Viktor. You brought me back to life.” The words tumble from my lips without any hesitation.

He rocks his cock against my core, and I moan, back arching. My nipples harden. Each rub against the inside of my shirt sends sparks of pleasure down my spine.

With a single touch, a single glance, Viktor is able to set my blood on fire.

His hand leaves my throat just long enough to unbutton the shirt, exposing my breasts to his hungry eyes. Then his long fingers are back on my pulse, like he needs to feel the steady thrum of my heart while he eases his cock inside my pussy.

Every roll of his hips solidifies the bond between us, clicking each puzzle piece into place. My future doesn’t seem so uncertain anymore, not with Viktor there as my lighthouse. The storm of grief I’ve been waging for the past four years doesn’t seem so overwhelming with his presence guiding me.

Together, we reach our peak, and it’s soul-shattering. All-consuming.