“I’ll stay.” Her light brightened the room.
Now more than ever, I needed to overcome my fear. There was nothing I desired more than to hold her hand or kiss her, as in the vision.
Her dressing gown left her slender neck bare. The steady pulse in her jugular vein held me captive. More than drinking her blood, I wished to kiss her soft skin and feel her pulse against my lips.
When I lifted my gaze, I met hers. She stared at me, likely knowing what I was thinking.
She pulled apart the lapels of her dressing gown, exposing her neck in an offering. The tiniest lift of her skin was visible over her vein.
She reclined her head, exposing her neck further. “I’ll remain very still.”
I covered the short distance between us in one stride. She didn’t look at me, and I was glad of that. She would see anticipation and indecision in my gaze.
For the first time as I stared at her perfect neck, I didn’t want to feed but to give her pleasure.
I dipped my head slowly and inhaled her flowery scent. The warmth of her body caressed my cheeks.
The thirst reared its head out of indulgence because I wasn’t thirsty, and I didn’t want to sink my fangs into her flesh. She was so still as to rival a statue.
I pressed my lips against the swift kick of her vein, and a dozen sensations hit me at the same time. Her silkiness, warmth, and sweet scent brought sheer pleasure to my chest, even thoughI didn’t want to feed from her. No pain or nausea rocked me. I was shocked and grateful at the same time.
Her heart raced, and her pulse beat a rhythm against my lips. A flush crept over her neck and cheeks, but she gripped the armrests with strength, her chest rising and falling quickly.
Visions of the feverish bodies squashing me in the overcrowded hospital and memories of the pain slicing my skin broke the flow of pleasure, but I pushed them down.
We were forever changed. There was no going back after that.
“I thought you were going to bite me.” She put a hand on her neck.
“Did you want me to?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in her reply.
“I won’t bite you unless you are sure about it.”
She sat on the bed in a froth of silk and stretched out her arm.
The invitation was everything I’d always wanted, wrapped in a dream. The idea of holding her hand made me tremble with anticipation.
She flicked her fingers, inviting me again. “You have no aura, but I understand how you feel. Stop thinking about your fear. Stop thinking that you aren’t a good man because you are. Come and sit next to me.”
I did as I was told, for once not stiff or tense. The warmth from her body stroked my skin, and our bond vibrated softly. Her lovely lips parted, and the only thing I could think about was kissing her.
I inched closer and paused. She tilted her head, a little sigh escaping her. Anticipation, not fear, made me quiver. I pressed my lips gently against hers. A sense of triumph excited me. I was kissing Irene.
Cara’s vision had lied. Kissing Irene wasn’t like it’d shown me, but a hundred times better. Our connection heated as Itraced the seam of her lips with my tongue. We both groaned in pleasure.
She opened her mouth, and I slid my tongue past her lips. A hint of pain edged the back of my mind, but I ignored it. Our tongues danced together, caressing, exploring, and teasing. Each time they touched, my heart burst with happiness.
With this kiss, Irene was annihilating years of pain and fear.
I touched her cheek and traced the delicate curve of her jaw. “You’re the light chasing away my darkness.”
She flashed the brightest smile I’d ever seen. It was pure joy for my loneliness. “They coexist side by side. One can’t exist without the other.”
She turned her hand palm up, and I covered it with my own. Shivers took hold of me, but I laced my fingers through hers. I wasn’t sure how long I would resist, but that perfect moment of happiness was the flame of a candle defying the darkness.
