he might have tried to burn down our homes, but he failed!” I pointed to the scaffolding where it was obvious repairs were not far from being done. I could smell the scent of cement and fresh paint mixed in the breeze. “All he’s done is made us stronger.”
“Look at you being all optimistic.” He smiled appraisingly at me.
“Well, I did learn from the best.” I winked at him playfully. He pulled me to him, wrapping me in his arms as he dropped a kiss onto my lips. He was warm and inviting, lacing his fingers in my hair with one hand and squeezing my hips with the other. Passion surged through me as our embrace tightened and our tongues danced. Moments later he pulled away, caressing my face with his fingertips. I sighed as his warm breath tickled my skin. He teased me, nudging my nose with his and pulling his luscious lips away with a smirk when I tried kissing him again.
“Come here.”
I slid my fingers through his hair, leaning into him until our lips locked again. If he wanted to tease me, then two could play at that game. I tugged on his lip, hoping to torture him like he had me, but he jerked underneath me. My eyes popped open to see his finger on his lip. As he pulled it away a single drop of blood stood at the edge of his bottom lip.
“You bit me,” he said with surprise. I stared at the blood, hunger roaring inside me. I hadn’t meant to bite him; to play so rough, but now that I had… it had been so long since I’d last eaten, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out. This fast was growing more difficult every hour. How were Dmitry and Robin managing so easily? It took all my strength the whole drive here to not beg Arrick to let me drink from him again. I could never forget how delicious he tasted, nothing like the coppery flavor of blood before I was changed. No, Arrick tasted like honey. Honey that filled every inch of my body with energy, and strength.
I could feel my breathing growing faster, my vision zeroing in on that single droplet. I wanted to slide my tongue across his plump lip, but would I stop at that? No, I doubt I could. I managed to pull my eyes away from his lip, but every sensation in my body still focused on it. Arrick was looking straight at me, passion hidden in his gaze. The heat between us was sweltering. I hadn’t realized it, but I pushed my every desire outward, wrapping our bodies together like lovers. It accentuated our desires, fed our passion, and shared our emotions.
His chest heaved against mine, but he dropped his gaze. He took his finger, and slid it across his lip. My heart sank as he pulled away the droplet, making me sigh in disappointment. I unlatched my arms from around him, ready to pull myself from his grasp when his finger slid across my lip. He spread the blood across my lips like a crimson gloss. I stared at him with wide eyes, as the sweet smell wafted into my nose. His touch was so sensual it made my heart hammer in my chest.
I hesitated for only a moment, as I stared into his smoldering eyes, before licking my lips. He smiled lovingly at me, pulling me toward him and planting a kiss on my forehead.
“Why did you do that?” I touched my lips, still able to feel the tingle of his touch. I had been starving, hell, I was still starving, but that gave me no right to bite him. I hadn’t meant to and I felt a little guilty. I didn’t want him to think that’s all he was to me. Arrick was more than just a meal. He was my friend, my guardian, my protector, and… the man I believed I was starting to fall madly in love with despite my stubborn brain trying to fight me on it.
“You’re hungry,” he answered simply. “I can feel it.” I turned away, ashamed that he had felt how much I wanted to sink my teeth into him.
“Get a room!” Liz stuck her tongue out at us, as she shouted from beside the SUV. She was followed by Dmitry who rolled his eyes while Robin gave a playful wink. We had been caught red-handed. Arrick and I untangled ourselves, and