Page 132 of The Vampire's Seduction

“No, you did fine,” Marek said, still trying to catch his breath. Damn it. His middle hurt, and he couldn’t even tune it out like normal.

“You just need blood,” Olivia said, holding out her wrist. “Here. Take mine.”

Marek’s fangs dropped of their own accord. Well, guess his bloodthirst hadn’t changed. The physical discomfort from the punch transformed into a burning pit of hunger. He couldn’t even retract his fangs as he spoke, “Not directly from the vein. And only a small amount.”

Or I won’t be able to control myself,he added.

You won’t hurt me.

Her faith in him reverberated down the mating bond, and he knew she was right.

I know, but the next time I drink from you, I don’t want an audience.He sent her an image of her naked on all fours before him, her back arched, buttocks in the air, and the pretty line of her throat exposed. God, he wanted her now. Olivia’s cheeks flushed bright red, and he loved the way her mouth formed a small O in shock and arousal.

Nikolas returned with a glass in hand and wrinkled his nose, no doubt scenting their desire. But to his stoic nature, he only said, “Should I do it?”

“You’ll have to,” Marek said once he realized he could no longer summon his claws.

He settled back on the bed beside Olivia, his arm around her shoulder, as Nikolas cut open her wrist. Though he was starving, he couldn’t smell the blood as it dripped into the glass.

“May I?” Nikolas asked, indicating Olivia’s bleeding wrist, after the glass was a third full.

“Yes,” Marek said, suppressing the vampire’s urge to attack the other male as Nikolas licked closed Olivia’s wound. Even though everything Nikolas did was for Olivia’s benefit, the vampire only saw a threat.

Carefully, Marek tasted Olivia’s blood. A heavenly explosion of flavors on his tongue. She tasted as good as he remembered. Ravenous hunger reared its ugly head, and he drank the rest in one long gulp. His gaze latched onto her neck as power surged through him. Scents and sounds he hadn’t been able to detect a second ago bombarded him, and he froze, his eyes squeezed shut, against the onslaught.

Marek, are you all right?Her concern pierced through the whirlwind of his senses.

Yes. I need a second.

When his equilibrium returned, Marek opened his eyes again.

“How is it? Feel better? Different?” Andrea asked.

“I can smell your blood soaking the bandages,” Marek replied, eying the widening patch of red on her cast.

“You need to take some vampire blood to heal,” Nikolas said. “Your blood is a temptation for the others.”

Andrea visibly flinched before fury blazed over her face. “Oh, so it’s my fault when vampires can’t control their bloodthirst? Trust me, I’m not so weak that I can’t defend myself against some vampires yet. They’ll wish the jaguars had killed them if they try to bite me.”

Nikolas’ frown deepened, and he opened his mouth to say something, except Olivia beat him to the punch.

“I’m sure he’s just worried about you,” she said with a forced smile. “Right?”

Whatever you’re about to say, don’t. Just agree with her,Marek thought to Nikolas. Thank God he hadn’t lost his telepathy ability.

A flash of annoyance, but Nikolas said, “Yes, I am worried.”

“See?” Olivia said with a big grin before it changed to confusion. “Anyhow, does this mean Marek can only drink my blood from now on?”

“I don’t know.” Andrea shrugged. “I don’t know if this is permanent, or just temporary. There’s not really any record of something like this happening. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Even with Olivia’s blood, Marek didn’t feel like he had his full strength back. Fear coated his insides in ice. What if his power didn’t return? He was a vampire, yet he wasn’t. How could he lead the CDI against the Organization as a human?

How could he protect Olivia?

I’m sorry,Olivia said.This is all because of me. It’s my fault.

As he gazed down as his beautiful mate, his fears and doubts melted away into oblivion.