“Is that why he listens to you? Because you aren’t like most people?”
Oklahoma hums, taking my hand in his. Watching his palm swallow mine has me entranced. Everything about him is powerful and intimidating.
The night is cool, and yet my body is warm; the need to be closer to him is nearly sending me to my knees. This craving gains strength and momentum every time I’m with Oklahoma, like if I don’t have all of him soon, I might die.
I hope it’s a quick death. Longing for someone can be slow and painful, an ache that might never have a cure.
“Come with me,” he says. “And hold on.” He yanks me to his side. “Hold on tight.”
“Where are we—” The question disappears in the breeze, the world around me twisting and turning into a blur. The wind dances through my hair, the speed causing tears to drip from my eyes. It only takes seconds before my feet are on solid ground again.
I’m in awe.
I stand on the roof of the cabin, looking out at the beautiful view. Horses and cattle are in the distance, small shadows that are grazing under the moonlight. From up here, I can see a pen that’s sectioned off.
“What’s that for?”
“Training and breaking the horses. Preparing them to ride. I’ve retired from the rodeo life now that I have the rescue, and I didn’t feel comfortable continuing after Cal died. Now, I train horses, offer riding lessons, sell, breed, etc. The rescue keeps me plenty occupied.” He sits down on the metal roof, looping his finger in one of my belt loops to tug me down.
“I’m sorry about your friend. How did he die?”
“We were a steer-wrestling team, but we also had separate events. He was an amazing bull rider, but the last ride got him. The bull wouldn’t stop going after him and stomped on him too many times. I’m not close to many people. I’ve kept myself isolated for good reason.”
“I’m so sorry.” I’m not sure what else to say. I can’t imagine having to witness such a gruesome death.
“It’s alright. It was a hard loss, but I managed. Loss is something I should get used to. It never gets easier, no matter how much time passes.”
I sit next to him, the coolness of the metal causing me to gasp. He picks me up, reminding me of his strength. He settles me between his legs, and he wraps his arms around me.
“Better? You were cold.” His breath teases the shell of my ear.
“Much better.” My finger skims down his muscular arm, the hair light from the sun and tickling my fingers.
We sit there in silence. I’m not sure how long for. Time doesn’t seem to pass when I’m with Oklahoma. Everything stands still. Nothing else matters besides us—besides him.
He gathers my hair and moves it to my other shoulder. I smile to myself, remembering how he did that earlier. He loves to expose my neck.
It’s impossible, but I think the cowboy I’m falling for is a vampire.
His lips gliding against my skin causes me to shiver. An image of him sinking his fangs into my neck has heat pooling between my legs. The act of feeding him is erotic. Knowing it’s me who gives him what he needs has my body responding in ways it never has before.
He can’t be a vampire. They don’t exist.
Oklahoma grumbles something under his breath, his face buried into my neck as he inhales.
Sniffing me again.
My eyes flutter shut, getting lost in the sensation of him being so close.
His hold tightens on the back of my neck, five sharp points digging into my skin.
Claws.
“Your heart rate changed. Are you scared, Sugar?” he drawls, kissing my jugular vein.
I arch my back, pleasure awakening in my nerve-endings. I clutch his legs for support, my body betraying me in ways I don’t understand.
“No, I’m not scared,” I admit, licking my lips when they become dry.
