More like a really cute, really dangerous bloodsucker who knows your secrets, idiot.
Reaching for my water again, I sucked down the rest and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand. “Stop trying to blackmail your way into my bed.”
“Technically I’m trying to blackmailyourway intomybed.” Laughing, Darius finally backed off. But like the momentary spark between us, his smile faded fast. “You will owe me a debt, then.”
I sat back in my chair, the reality of my situation weighing on me as I considered his offer. Accepting it meant three things.
One, I’d be spared an inquiry—and possibly charges and imprisonment and who knew what other psychological torments—from the Council.
Two, I’d be in his debt, and vampires never forgave their debts.
And three: I could no longer deny what I’d done.
Regret wrapped itself around my heart and squeezed. Whoever Bean was before she’d crossed my path, whoever she might’ve become, I’d doomed her to an eternity as a monster.
I set down my empty water glass and looked at the vampire behind the bar.
How is it that I walked in here a stranger, and now I’m making a blood promise?
No matter. Time was up, and I was ready.
Maybe I was thankful.
Maybe I was just looking for absolution.
I pushed up my sleeve and stretched my arm across the bar. “Do it.”
“So quickly?” His eyes sparkled with amusement and a hint of raw desire that went well beyond our earlier jokes. With the lightest touch, he caressed the pale skin of my inner arm.
But the bite never came.
“What are you waiting for?” I asked.
“Gray. As tempting as you are…” Darius shook his head, still caressing my skin. “This isn’t necessary. I already gave you my word.”
A blood oath without the bite to seal the deal? No way. Darius may have helped me tonight—and been surprisingly sweet in the process—but I still didn’t know him.
Whatever was going on with me, I needed to stay focused on figuring it out and shutting it down. Looking over my shoulder every five minutes wondering whether—orwhen—my new vampire friend would stab me in the back? That was a distraction I couldn’t afford.
The blood oath would ensure we both kept up our end of the bargain.
“Now it’s my turn to insist.” I thrust my arm closer to his mouth. “I’m serious, D. I’m not leaving until you do it.”
Darius let out a low chuckle. “D? Skipping the formalities now, are we?”
“Hey, we’re doing some serious bonding here tonight. Fighting off vampires, sharing a secret. The least you could do is let me give you a nickname.”
His lips quirked, rewarding me with another picture-perfect smile.
“Yes, little brawler.” He took my arm in both hands, drawing it close to his lips. Meeting my eyes across the bar, he said, “You’re certain?”
“I’m certain.”
He pressed his lips to my wrist, firm and cool. I felt the velvet touch of his tongue, then a searing pain has his fangs broke the skin.
In an instant that pain turned to pure pleasure as Darius began to suck.
A warmth that had nothing to do with the whiskey I’d polished off spread up my arm, across my shoulders, and down my back, making me tingle all over.
