Crimson Born - Amy Patrick Page 0,60

floor, steering me toward the private alcoves.

“Meathead,” he muttered under his breath.

Stumbling along beside him and working to keep up with his long, digging strides, I asked, “What is the hurry?”

“It’s a popular song—there’ll be a rush for the floor. You might get stepped on.”

“Really? A stampede of dancers?” I rolled my eyes. “That’s what you’re worried about? Or are you worried about a certain ‘meathead?’”

We arrived at an empty alcove, and Reece pulled me inside. Here, shadowed from the bright party lights, his face looked even more severe than usual.

“I read his file too. Gio had three drunk driving arrests and lost his license not long before he was turned,” Reece said.

“Well, as it’s nearly impossible for vampires to get drunk and we’re walking back to our chambers tonight instead of driving, I don’t think that’s much of an issue.”

I studied his face, the dark eyes and sullen set of his mouth.

“If I didn’t know better... I’d swear you were jealous.”

30

How Things Work

My words floated in the dark space between us.

In spite of my vow to let it go, I was apparently still holding onto some hope Reece would change his mind.

My heart pounded so hard I was almost lightheaded. His breaths were loud in the quiet refuge of the alcove.

“Why would I be jealous?” he finally said, and my newfound hope deflated. But it was buoyed when he added, “It’s not like you were ever going to be mine.”

“Are you saying you wanted me to be yours?”

When he didn’t answer, I decided to be brave just one more time. “I haven’t forgotten what you said about destiny. It’s not too late, you know.”

“It is. Abbi... you know as well as I do... things have changed a lot since that night.”

“Some things haven’t changed. Not the way I feel for you. Although I guess that’s changed too, because I care for you even more. I want to be with you even more. Reece... I love—”

His mouth crashed against mine, though I wasn’t sure if he was moved by my words or a desperate desire to muffle them.

He kissed me with no hint of gentleness, only a primitive hunger that awakened an equally ravenous craving in me and dissolved all my thoughts in a wave of hot bliss.

Although I’d been raised to be modest in every way and we were essentially in a public place, I couldn’t seem to dredge up any concern over who might see us or what they might think.

Kissing Reece felt too good. I’d never expected to experience this again, and the unexpected pleasure was more delicious than a stolen chocolate or a forbidden sip of wine.

As his mouth moved over mine, Reece’s hands slid around to my back, running up and down the bare skin and tangling in my hair, no doubt destroying the complicated updo created by the stylist who’d helped dress me tonight.

It didn’t matter. Nothing did. I was lost in the sensations washing in waves over my body.

I was shaking all over, overwhelmed by the pleasure of his kiss and touch but even more so by the emotion I could sense in it.

For whatever reason, his restraint had cracked, and he was no longer hiding his feelings from me.

My palms went to his chest to capture his thrashing heartbeat then slid down his torso where I explored the fascinating terrain of his abdomen, so firm and segmented with muscle.

My touch seemed to agree with Reece. He made a quiet grunt of enjoyment and deepened his kisses. As my fingers moved upward to caress his biceps, shoulders, and nape, he broke the connection with my mouth and moved his attention to the side of my neck.

His lips traveled up and down, teasing the sensitive skin there until I felt as if my legs would give way.

All the while he pulled me closer against him, closer and harder.

“What are you doing to me, Abbi?” He panted. His voice sounded ragged. “I feel like I’ve lost all control over myself.”

All I could do was nod in rapid agreement then accept his mouth on mine again, trying to convince him with my lips and tongue and fervent caresses that everything was all right, that this thing we had happening between us was much more important than “control,” that it was more important than anything.

Stroking his cheeks and jaw as we kissed, I tried to pull him ever closer.

A group of people walked past our small refuge, laughing and talking loudly. They didn’t seem to notice us,