With every taste, I wanted more. Wantedhimmore, too.
It was over far too soon.
My straw made a soft slurping noise against the bottom of the thin plastic. My chest rose and fell rapidly.Frantically.
I wanted to cut the bag open and lick out every drop.
Was this addiction? I was pretty sure it was the beginning of one, at the very least.
I’d tasted the best; would I even be able to stomach anyone else’s blood anymore?
I was going to be in trouble next Thursday at the gathering.
Finally, I forced myself to release the straw.
I lowered it a little, and managed to get my eyes open. When I did, I found Maverick staring at me.
His eyes were glowing, his left hand gripping the armrest of my couch so hard it was grayer than his face had been. The tent I’d been face-to-face with earlier was somehow even larger.
I cleared my throat and tried to set the blood bag down.
My fingers wouldn’t release it.
I cleared it again and walked slowly to the kitchen, hoping the extra time would make me ready to throw it out.
When I reached the trash can, I stared down at the lid.
Could I really put the bag down?
Debatable.
“You have no right to be this fucking sexy,” Maverick finally rumbled.
He had no right to taste that fucking good, either.
“We need to get going. I can drive so you can rest.” I dodged his comment.
“You’re not driving.”
“You can hardly walk. You’d be a hazard behind the wheel.” I finally dropped the bag in the trash can. I felt an intense itch to pick it up again, but forced myself to ignore it. “Do we need to wait until you’ve recovered more so you don’t lose a fight? We could go tomorrow. I could miss family dinner.”
“No. I don’t lose, and we’ll make it back.”
“How long do you need to recover?”
“The pack’s doctor said I’d be good as new in four or five hours.”
“So they told you that you needed to rest for four or five hours before resuming life as normal, and you didn’t mention the fights.”
“Maybe.”
“You’re ridiculously stubborn, Maverick.”
“Am I?”
“Shut up and get in your car.” I pointed to the door.
He slowly stood up and walked to the door. I didn’t want to admit it, but he honestly did look a little better already. “You’re just as bossy as I am, Bloom.”
