To Love a Vampire - A.K. Koonce Page 0,38

pulling him nearer as his lips part mine. His tongue slips against mine until we can no longer keep our patient pace.

He kisses me like he’s giving me his soul to keep. All this time, I’ve searched for the hybrid that was missing. I didn’t realize until now that I, too, was missing. I feel alive with his hands on me, my flesh tingling, a relentless feeling coming to life within me.

A feather light touch moves down my neck, his fingertips trailing along my hot skin before pulling my hip firmly into him. I moan into his mouth at the friction. My back bows of its own accord, trying to eliminate any lingering space between myself and him. His lips leave mine, kissing down my jaw and nipping at my neck. My chest heaves with each breath and the electric current tugs at my core until I can’t take it anymore. I grind my hips into his for relief. A low groan escapes his lips into the hook of my neck, the vibrations humming through my chest.

A long and uneven breath leaves me just before his mouth pushes hard against mine again. His teeth rake across my bottom lip in both pain and pleasure before his tongue slips into my mouth and slides against mine. A sweet but salty taste fills my senses.

The feeling of his lips against mine and his hard body grinding into me is stirring a feeling that’s restless in my core. It’s demanding and threatens to take over entirely. My body works against his to achieve what seems to be the same goal. His hand roams farther across my hip pulling me impossibly closer to him, drifting lower and lower until he stops suddenly, his fingers lingering at the underside of my thigh.

The air leaves my lungs in a heap as he pulls away, my fingers still clutching his neck to me. His chest heaves into mine with each breath he takes. Why is he stopping? His heavy gaze never leaves mine. His hair sticks up wildly from where I pulled at it earlier. He licks his lips slowly. I’m reminded of what he tastes like and my body thrums to close the distance again.

“I’m… sorry,” he says with a groan. “But I think I should go, before your prince and his, uh,” he looks out into the forest, breaking our stare for the first time, “friend finds us.”

He’s smirking again but I don’t know why. My prince and his friend? I lean up into his chest, my hands drifting down to his smooth shoulders, refusing to let him go. My heart flutters at our nearness again. My eyes search in the darkness to see what he sees. It takes me a moment to actually focus on something other than his body against mine. Once my eyes adjust it takes no time at all.

There, against a tree, maybe ten yards away is Kaino and Shane. They’re holding each other closely—their bodies difficult to make out in the dark.

“Oh.”

Not too difficult… Kaino has the warrior pushed against the tree and they’re clutching each other, the commander’s lips slipping down the warrior’s neck in a worshiping way. Kissing. Kaino is kissing him. He’s kissing another guy. I guess our friendship makes sense now. Kaino doesn’t dislike me, he just is the furthest thing from interested.

Asher presses his head into my shoulder and laughs at my surprise.

“You knew Kaino was seeing Shane?” I ask, trying to tear my gaze away from the couple making out in the woods, a shadow of groping hands and tongues.

Asher runs his fingers lightly up my spine, lifting his head, his shining eyes search my face. His touch sends a shiver over my body, pulling my attention back to him.

He’s smirking down at me, kneeling between my legs. His other hand pushes my messy mass of curls behind my ear and he has the strangest look in his steely gaze.

“I’ve made it a point to know things about the mystics here. They’re good. Mostly. Kaino is good.” His fingers trail my face until his palm settles against my neck. “I’m never going to let anything happen to you again, Fallon.” His whisper is slow and promising as he pulls me into his body. His strong arms wrap around me in a hug, the epitome of safety. My eyes close as I listen to the steady beat of his heart.

“Good night,” he says in a quiet breath before pressing his lips to my temple and