Page 96 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“What if…?” He didn’t finish, yet I knew exactly what he was asking. What if he killed me? What if he couldn’t stop? What if once he started, he took and took until there was nothing left.

“You said having your blood in my veins will keep me alive,” I challenged.

“I cannot take the risk. Not when I am this volatile.”

“Laurie, please.”

His expression crumbled. A single blink later, he was before me, pulling me into his arms. I stiffened at the sudden contact, battling my own fear, pressing it down deep. I was doing this for Zola. Because I cared for her. Because out of everyone in this house, she had been the one to earn my friendship first. She was the one who promised me she would protect me. I wanted to do the same for her.

“Please, tell me to stop,” he whispered against my neck. “Tell me to leave, Lily. Tell me⁠—“

“No.”

His chest rose and fell against mine. He was breathing. Something he rarely did.

“Do it, Laurent. Now,” I said before I changed my mind.

His mouth was at my neck. I tensed, waiting for the bite. His fingers stole into my hair, taking it from me, tilting my head exactly where he wanted it. His other arm wrapped around me, settling at the base of my spine, holding me against him.

I expected him to strike like a viper. Instead, his tongue flicked out to taste. The feel of it, warm and wet against my skin, made me shiver. He groaned, pressing into me harder. I felt every ridge of muscle against me.

His teeth began to nip. “Calm down. You’re trembling.”

“I’m not.”

“You are,” he soothed.

“Will it hurt?”

“Only briefly. After that, I won’t let you feel pain.”

“Okay.” The points of his teeth rested gently against my flesh. “Do it.”

I felt a slight pressure and then my skin broke—the sound made a pop as they sank in. I felt a flash of pain before I groaned and went numb. Completely limp. His arm tightened around me, holding me upright. He moaned, a sound I’d never heard from him.

A heady feeling rushed through me bringing warmth and satisfaction. His heartbeat pounded against my chest, matching my own frantic rhythm. The sound of him drinking was erotic, almost vulgar. My insides clenched as an ache expanded within my core. I began to pant.

His mouth continued to move against me, powerful jaw working with each swallow. Every drag of my blood was a beat against my chest, shooting more and more pleasure straight between my legs. I couldn’t move, completely immobilized as waves of euphoria swept through me.

The realization hit me. I was going to… Oh, God! I was going to come. Heat raced through me. The pressure in my core intensified. Tingles exploded at the base of my spine. I whimpered, my breaths labored. I wanted this—needed this. My muscles tightened before an orgasm ripped through me. I opened my mouth in a silent cry, eyes wide.

Laurent’s growl vibrated through my chest. He took another drag of my blood, this one slower, as if savoring his final swallow. My breaths slowed and the pressure at my neck disappeared. Everything in me was tingling as the limpness in my body dissipated. I felt his tongue, lapping at my throat, warm against my skin.

I blinked several times, dazed.

Laurent’s arms tightened around me. His hips moved and I felt his erection. The length of him pressed almost uncomfortably against my stomach. Each of his breaths—because he was breathing—were harsh, ragged.

“Laurie?” I rasped, struggling to find my voice.

He tensed, then arched backward to look down at me. His expression reminded me of churning clouds before a storm. Wild and uncertain and beautiful. I couldn’t explain what had just happened—if it had been normal.

“I…” He cleared his throat. “It worked.” His eyes searched mine, filled with wonder. Like he couldn’t believe I was here. Alive. “I need to go.”

“Okay,” I said.

He didn’t move. Simply continued to gaze at me.

“Laurie?” My voice was feather soft. He blinked. “Was that supposed to happen?”