Page 29 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

However, she wasn’t that woman. Even if she weren’t engaged, she wouldn’t have the bravery to tell Valeria what she wanted. Though she wasn’t interested in whatever arrangement they had, even if there was somewhere for her to fit into an already crowded relationship.

“I think that sounds like your business. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”

“Like how you’re happy with Mr. Andrews?”

It happened so quickly, Caroline didn’t even realize what happened until a moment after she felt the prick on her finger. It served her right for looking at Valeria instead of her sampler.

“Ouch,” she said, examining her punctured finger.

Ruby red droplets slid down her index finger, but the wound wasn’t deep and would be closed soon enough. Annoyance prickled at the thought of bleeding all over the sampler she’d been working on for months.

“What did you do?” Valeria screeched, moving so quickly it seemed as if she went from the couch to the window between blinks.

“I just pricked myself with my needle.”

“You need to do something with that.” Valeria covered her mouth and averted her eyes as if she were about to be sick.

Caroline put her finger in her mouth, licking away the small hurt and stopping the blood. The metallic taste of herself was so slight she couldn’t believe Valeria made such a fuss over it. The back of her neck prickled as she couldn’t decipher the way Valeria looked at her with a ferocious need unlike anything she had ever seen.

It scared her, but also sent a dark thrill through her.

“See,” Caroline said, showing the woman her glistening finger. “It was only a bit of blood.”

Valeria’s eyes burned a hole in her. They were a deep brown that reminded her of the earth, but right now they were black. It was an unnatural change. Unease spread within her the longer Valeria took to respond.

“Pardon me, but I need to return to my room. I’m feeling rather ill,” Valeria said as she woodenly stood, her hand covering her mouth.

Caroline stilled. “Do you need my assistance? What can I do to help?”

“Nothing,” she said so sharply that Caroline flinched at her tone. “Just leave me alone.”

Even after she rushed from the room, her harsh words stung more than Caroline’s pricked finger.

* * *

“Caroline, I’ve waited so long for you,” a feminine voice sighed before tracing the line of her jaw with her fingertip.

Caroline shivered at the contact.

“Are you going to stay with me?”

So much of her life was spent in service of others that she wanted even a few moments of someone taking care of her.

“Of course.”

Soft lips brushed hers. When she didn’t back away, the kiss deepened as the other woman’s tongue breached her mouth. Caroline’s hand flew to her head, settling in her hair as she ran her hands through silky hair before pulling away.

“Valeria,” she whispered, her hand moving from her hair to her face.

Valeria pulled her back in, and Caroline didn’t fight as she stole another kiss; this one was all demanding, and it took only moments for Caroline to melt into it completely.

She loved the way Valeria felt. The way she tasted. These were the sparks she was meant to feel.

Hands roamed over her body; she had never before felt starved for touch, but now she felt ravenous. When Valeria’s hand ran over her breast, she gasped.

“Does my girl like to be pet?”

“Yes,” Caroline moaned into Valeria’s mouth.