“You would never hurt me, Saint. I know it.”
“You don’t know it. I’m completely capable of losing control.”
I nod. That part I understand. The instincts, the need coursing through me. I’m very close to bursting out of my skin, my fangs throbbing any time I set eyes on him. My mouth waters at his scent, at the teasing glimpses of his skin that his clothes don’t cover.
“I understand it’s a risk,” I say. “But if you were ever going to take a risk with someone, shouldn’t it be me?”
CHAPTER 5
Saint
Her words hit me like a hammer, the force of the hit causing thin cracks to form in the ice around my heart.
“Fucking hell.” I utter the words in defeat, and her eyes light up like I’ve handed her a platter topped with those chocolate croissants she loves so much.
“Thank you,” she hurries to say.
“Don’t.” I take a breath. “Don’t thank me yet.”
She presses her lips together.
Fuck, her quick obedience sets my blood on fire. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted another being in myentireexistence. I don’t know what I’ll do when her fangs sink into my flesh.
Just thinking about it has blood rushing to my cock. Images of sliding into her sweet, soft heat?—
No.Can’t.
I shut down the fantasy, and focus instead on her face. There’s a dusting of purple beneath her eyes. She’s so hungry, and I’m the asshole who’s denied her too long because I’m afraid of my own self-control. Fuck that, I’ll be whatever she needs me to be for her.
“Slowly,” I tell her as she approaches me. Instinct has me backing away, like she’s the predator and I’m the prey. The backsof my knees hit the armchair I’ve long since claimed as mine, and I drop into it.
She pauses just before me, eyes scanning my body like she’s hunting for a place to strike. It’s fucking hot as hell. If I wasn’t so worried, I’d tell her to bite me wherever she feels like it.
Instead, I roll up the sleeve of my left arm, turning my wrist up. “Here.”
That quickly, she’s on her knees before me, her delicate fingers reaching for my wrist. Lava streaks through my veins at the sight of her blue eyes flickering up to meet mine. Her strawberry blond hair is down, falling over her shoulders in soft waves, and I’m desperate to run my fingers through it. I grip the armrest with my free hand, ensuring I don’t.
“You’ll need your fangs out,” I remind her when she’s held my wrist near her mouth for a few seconds.
“Right.” She blinks a few times.
“It’s my fault,” I admit. “I’ve always given you your blood in a glass. I should’ve prepared you better?—”
“You’ve done more for me than anyone has my entire life, Saint. None of this is your fault.” She cringes. “I really am theworstvampire. Can’t summon my fangs at will. Can’t use my power for anything other than destroying things.”
“You’re learning. It’s not easy, being what we are. Especially when you were once half-human.” I swallow hard, my entire body flexing at how close she is to me. “I want to help you. Can I…are you comfortable if I touch you?”
“Yes,” she breathes the word so quickly, it’s all I can do not to dip down and claim her mouth. “I trust you,” she adds.
The words fill me with warmth I’m not used to. It’s consuming and intoxicating and I want more. I carefully shift my free hand and swipe my thumb over her bottom lip. “Aurora,” I whisper her name like a prayer.
She trembles under my possessive touch, and her fangs punch out a second later. Her eyes fly wide.
I can’t stop the small, prideful smile that curves my lips. Can’t stop myself from carefully grazing my thumb over one of those fangs. She tips her head back even farther, giving me better access to them as her eyes close.
Fuck, she’s on her knees, eyes closed, fangs out. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The most vulnerable too. I lock down every instinct begging me to take her mouth with mine and clear my throat as I pull my hand away.
She focuses, looking from me to my wrist and back again. Inching forward, she stops a breath away, the anticipation curling between us sharp and heady.