I dropped to my knees beside the couch and grabbed his hand in mine.His eyes widened, as though he hadn’t expected me to willingly touch him.“This isn’t about you taking something from me,” I said, my voice firm.“This is about us helping each other, working together.”
He cursed quietly, conflict warring in his expression.If I wasn’t mistaken, I spotted a little hope in those eyes of his, even as he shook his head.
“I refuse to hurt you,” he muttered, as if trying to convince himself more than me.
“You won’t,” I assured him.I wanted to say more, tell him that I trusted him, but that would be a lie, and I tried not to lie to people unless absolutely necessary.People in my life—cough, Deidre, cough—had given me more than enough reasons not to trust them.Even Rathiel had contributed to that little emotional wound of mine, what with the whole stealing my memories conundrum.But he’d also given me enough reason to help him.He’d not only escaped Hell with the specific purpose of finding and protecting me, but he’d also stepped in and stopped that vampire from turning me into a nummy chew toy.Truly, this was the least I could do for him.
Rathiel peered into my eyes, as if searching for any hint of fear or hesitation.I merely smiled, determined to show him I had no intentions of backing down.
“Are you sure?”he murmured.
“No,” I said, laughing.“But I’m the only one here, so… I mean, unless you want to munch down on Vol?”
“Hey!”the imp barked from across the room.
“Kidding, kidding.”I paused.“Well, mostly.”
“Lilith—”
“For crying out loud, Rathiel.I offered.Say thank you, and just get on with it already.”
His mouth flattened into a grim line, but finally, he nodded.
“Alright.We’re doing this,” I muttered more to myself than to him.
Rathiel started to push up from the couch, moving slowly, his movements deliberate.I slid an arm around his waist—mindful of his injuries—and helped steady him as he climbed to his feet.But as he stood, the space between us disappeared.His chest brushed against mine, and I realized a little too late just how close together we stood.
With each inch he rose, my head tilted back more, until I was staring up at him.My breath hitched, caught somewhere between a gasp and a sigh.I was used to his height—it was part of his whole intimidating vibe—but having him this close, feeling the solid warmth of his body pressed against mine, was intoxicating.
The world shrank to just the two of us.His hands, still resting on my shoulders for balance, tightened slightly, his fingers brushing against my throat.We slowly walked backward until my back hit the wall.
“You sure about this?”he asked again, his breath ghosting over my face.
“Positive,” I whispered, though my voice wasn’t as strong.“Now, are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to do what needs doing?”
His gaze darkened, something dangerous and alluring flashing in those celestial blue eyes.“Patience is a virtue,” he murmured, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
I swallowed hard, all the while ignoring the sudden heat pooling in my stomach.“Do it.”
His expression softened, if only for a second, before his focus lasered in on my throat.Slowly, deliberately, he leaned down, his lips brushing against my neck, right where my pulse beat frantically beneath the surface.I shivered, the anticipation making my heart race.
This was it.No turning back now.
“Are you ready?”he asked.
“Yes,” I breathed, barely recognizing my voice.
I just hoped I knew what I was doing.
ChapterSeventeen
Rathiel bit,his fangs piercing my neck.A jolt shot through me—sharp with a hint of pain.My breath caught and my hands instinctively gripped his arms as his hold on me tightened.Quicker than expected, the pain faded, the sting melting into pleasure.
Warmth spread from my throat downward, like the slow bloom of heat on a winter’s day.It wasn’t just a physical sensation.It was deeper, more complex.A warmth that seeped into my bones and settled in my core.It felt as though every nerve in my body had suddenly come alive, humming with a strange, almost hypnotic energy that echoed through my veins and pulsed in time with my heartbeat.
I’d expected discomfort, maybe even a little fear.But this was different.The feel of his mouth against my throat, of his arms wrapped around me, his fingers digging into my back.My mind scrambled to process the flood of sensations and emotions spiralling through me.
The more he drank, the more that warmth spread through me, penetrating even the darkest parts.
