"Do not, Shay."
Viper pulled back to regard her with a searching curiosity. "What is it, pet?"
"I.. ." Shay swallowed back her unease. "My father was a Lumos, the healer of our tribe. His blood could cure all but death.*'
His eyes slowly widened. "And you?"
"His... blessing was passed to me."
"A rare gift." Something flashed through the dark eyes. Curiosity? "A rare gift, indeed, but hardly necessary for an immortal."
Her hand unconsciously lifted to touch the spot still tingling from his lips.
"Even immortals can be harmed. My mother claimed that was why my father was killed. His blood was used to save the life of a vampire."
"A vampire?" The curiosity deepened. "You're certain?"
"Yes."
"Strange mat I never heard such rumors." He pondered the notion for a moment before seeming to dismiss it from his mind. "So, what precisely is it that you're offering?"
"If... if you are injured, I will freely offer my blood to heal you. But only to heal you. No occasional snacking." Her chin tilted. "Do we have a deal?"
His features once again softened with that seductive amusement. "A bargain," he corrected softly.
"No blood unless absolutely necessary, and no sex."
"I do not need to bargain for blood or sex. You will soon give them freely enough."
He bent to sweep his lips over her mouth, allowing her no opportunity to argue. Back and forth, with exquisite care, he rubbed his lips over hers. An electric tingle followed his touch and before she knew what she was doing she had instinctively opened her mouth at his teasing.
Only then did he claim a kiss that was edged with such possessive hunger it branded its way to her very heart
It was the sort of kiss women dreamed of in their deepest fantasies. Hot, demanding, and utterly consuming. Her hands had actually started to rise to pull him closer when he was stepping back and glancing toward the shadows.
"Ah ... Santiago has accomplished his task. Perhaps we should leave before whatever he loosened has the opportunity to eat us."
Hard to argue with that logic.
Chapter Seven
Viper's thoughts were distracted as they reached his estate outside Chicago.
And not pleasantly distracted.
He wouldn't have minded a bit of bemusement at the sweet scent of Shay that still clung to his body like a wicked promise. Or the lingering heat that flowed through his body.
It had been far too long since he had enjoyed that sort of distraction.
This distraction came from the darkening certainty that something powerful was hunting his Shalott. Something so dangerous and vicious that it might be more than he could protect her from.
The thought made his heart clench with a fear he could not name.
Still, even with his thoughts clouded, he sensed a presence the moment he stepped through the door into the kitchen.
"Someone is here." Holding out his arm he swept Shay behind him and turned to his guard. "Santiago, search the grounds and make sure we do not have any other unexpected guests."
He waited until the vampire had disappeared before lifting his head and testing the air. Only when he was certain there was no immediate danger did he shift to regard Shay's pale face.