revelation to him of her true vampire nature. He recalled that night, marking his first experience when she drank his blood. It had been both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. But in the end, he had felt bonded to her in a far more special manner than he had with any other person. Most of all, it had made him feel special and desired. How could I forget?
“I remember,” he recalled. “The first time we made love. And the first time you drank from me.”
“I knew then you were the one for me,” she whispered before kissing him warmly.
Caleb’s smirk faded as the realization resurfaced that his lover had not taken blood from him in over a month. It was something he had been hesitant to bring up, not sure how sensitive a topic it was for her. He was already aware of how guilty she felt following the accidental attack on him that December evening. He had long since forgiven her, particularly after Alton had helped him understand the difficult truth about her aggressive nature, the unfortunate catalyst for the attack. Still, he was encouraged that she was once again sleeping beside him, and there had been no recurring accidental attacks thus far.
With sudden resolve, he withdrew his arms from around her waist. Katrina looked down at him quizzically as he unbuttoned his shirt. She took her arms from around his body as she watched him in the dim light of the room. He removed his shirt and t-shirt, revealing his toned, muscular chest adorned only by his sterling silver pendant and chain.
He reached down and pulled his shoes and socks from his feet, never breaking his penetrating gaze into her eyes, which were glowing like miniature beacons. He hesitated, recognizing that her glowing eyes likely indicated either lust for sex, hunger for blood, or a combination. His slacks dropped to the floor, and he stepped from them wearing only underwear. Reaching up to his chest, he took the heart-shaped sterling silver pendant between his thumb and forefinger and lifted the pendant up towards her.
“What does this say?” he asked boldly.
She arched one eyebrow, not needing to look at the pendant to recall its inscription. She had carefully crafted both their pendants’ inscriptions.
“Caleb belongs to Katrina,” she stated possessively.
He stood, suspending the pendant proudly before her. “What does that mean?”
She smirked and answered in a firm, passionate tone, “It signifies our mutual commitment. You belong to me. You’re my mate. You are mine.”
He beamed with satisfaction even as a slight tremor ran through his body from the possessive tone in her voice. It excited him and made him feel very wanted and loved. It was an aspect to her assertive nature that never failed to captivate him.
“What specifically belongs to you?” he insisted.
“Your love.”
“And?”
“Your body,” she added.
“And?” he pressed.
“Your blood,” she stated emphatically.
He nodded his head slowly and demanded, “Then take it. Take my blood, Kat.”
Her eyes flashed brightly for a moment as the desire for his blood soared. Her ever-present thirst wanted to unleash itself, but she constantly strove to control it, bending it to her will. As an alpha vampire, control was one of her requisite skills. But the memory of her nightmare-induced attack on him replayed in her mind, and she frowned. I can’t risk hurting him again.
He noted her consternation and anticipated the nature of her thoughts. “Don’t you want my blood?” he asked.
“Of course I do,” she reassured him, and she bent towards him, seeking a kiss.
But he backed away from her, dropping the pendant against his bare chest, and challenged, “Are you going to drink from me?”
“Caleb, please,” she murmured while reaching out to him.
“There’s a special bond we share when you take my blood,” he continued. “Now it’s missing, and I want it back for both of us.”
She regarded him with a frown while contemplating his earnest appeal. She had never wanted to make him feel undesired, unloved, or unwanted. And she certainly felt the desire for his blood at that moment, despite having consumed a packet of blood from the basement refrigerator that afternoon.
“You’re the love of my life, Kat,” he explained affectionately. “But I won’t demand that you take what you no longer want.”
He turned away from her as she stared down upon the man she loved even more than her own life. She swallowed hard and came to an immediate decision. While stepping behind him, she wrapped her left arm around his lean waist. Her grip tightened