The scent of her arousal causes my cock to lengthen and leak in my pants. I look down at her in the gold afternoon light, and I say the words that have been locked inside of me but need to be spoken. I have told her everything and she has not left. We spent the night caring for Lily together. It is time for me to tell her the truth of my feelings. She needs to know that what I feel for her isn’t simply a biological pull, but a full mating. I want her because not only do I think she’s the sexiest female in the world, but also the one whom I will love, forever. She’s honest, loyal, works hard and cares for others. “I love you, Hazel.”
She grabs onto my hand. “Oh, Viktor. I love you too. I realized it last night, watching you with Lily. Well, I think it’s been building since literally that first night we met in the kitchen, but last night, while we were both reading, it really struck me that this was how I felt.”
“I have never said those words to another being, Hazel, besides my daughter.”
She gives me a watery smile. “You are my first, too.”
And then I realize, in a slow rolling thud, that I have never kissed anyone and Hazel’s lips are full and highly kissable. The Blood Calling has been making Hazel’s lips a beacon for two weeks. Her throat too. Two laser points of pure desire that I have been trying very hard not to look at directly.
She is watching my face. “Viktor?”
“I have not done this before.”
She blinks. “Done what?”
“Kissed anyone.”
Her lips part slightly. “Oh…You have never?—”
“There was no reason to. Without the Calling, Krovenians do not…we do not need it. There is no pull. I have never kissed any female in my life.”
She licks her lips. “Oh wow.”
“I want to. Now.”
“Please.”
I bend my head and brush my mouth across hers. Her lips are softer than anything I have ever felt in my life. I pull back slightly and look at her face.
“Viktor.”
This time I kiss her properly. Her mouth opens under mine and the whole world narrows to the heat of her mouth and the soft slide of her lips and the small sound she makes in the back of her throat. My hand slides into her hair and I cradle the back of her head. I kiss her deeper.
Her hands come up to my chest again and grip my shirt. Then her arms reach up and she pulls me closer. I pull her against me, every inch, until I can feel the whole length of her against the whole length of me. She wiggles her hips against my hard cock and I have to focus, forcing myself to not come so soon in my pants.
The kiss goes on. My fangs lengthen and I am careful with them, very careful to not cut her. The ache of them is its own pleasure.
Her tongue finds mine. My whole body locks. I kiss her like a male who has been starving and did not know it.
We kiss for a very long time. Eventually we break apart, panting, foreheads pressed together.
She laughs, very softly. “That was your first kiss?”
“Yes.”
“Viktor, you’re a natural.”
“I have been thinking about it for almost two weeks, female.” I kiss her again, softer this time, a small kiss at the corner of her mouth. Then her temple and the spot below her ear where I have wanted to put my mouth since we met.
I lie by her side, holding her in my arms.
Finally, she speaks again, “I want this, Viktor. I want everything you offered me yesterday morning in the study. I want it.”
I prop myself up on one elbow so I can look at her properly. “You are sure.”
“I am sure.”
“Hazel. Once I bite you, there is no taking it back. The bond is permanent. You will be Krovenian by oath. You will live the rest of your life in Krovenia. You will face the Council and the tabloids, with me at your side.”
