Page 51 of The Temptation of Roan Island

I open my mouth to correct him that she isn’t mine but slam my lips shut.

Jafeth leans against me, already a little pleasure-drunk. “Tell me, do they taste as foul as the disease smells?”

“I wouldn’t know.” I brush him off, ignoring his surprised look, and walk away, scanning the space for a meal that will quickly satisfy. There’s too much pressure on my shoulders. I’m not good for anyone in this state. I need to eat.

My focus lands on Mr. and Mrs. Frellman. I watch them stumble drunkenly between a row of plants and know that by the time I get there, he’ll already be balls deep in her, which means they likely won’t pay me much mind or try to proposition me.

Perfect.

I take a step forward and stop. The deep tang of citrus, layered over fresh air and bitterness, carries on a breeze. My nostrils flare. The predator in me stiffens, inhales, and turns toward it.

The crowd parts, and before me is the most stunning sight I’ve ever seen. Pippa holds an emerald demi mask up to her face that fails to hide her stunning features. I’d know her anywhere, but this is… words fail me. She’s a goddess, resplendent in an emerald dress, a glittering jewel among trinkets. Her long blond hair is piled into a neat updo that accentuates her bare neck and shoulders. My fangs elongate as I inhale again.

She’s here. She came, even knowing what everyone will expect because of our fake relationship. Does this mean she wants me to bite her? The possibility hits me in my core, followed by a deep curiosity to know what she sounds like when she moans. As a bee to a flower, I’m drawn forward, moving before I think.

“You’re here,” I say.

She tucks a ringlet behind her ear and looks down, the demi mask hiding her face for a moment. “I’m here.”

There’s more to those words than the simple syllables, and I wish she would look at me so I could interpret it all.

“For appearances,” she adds.

My hearts lose their moorings and sink through my chest. She doesn’t want my bite. She’s just thinking about the believability of our lie.

I straighten my suit jacket. “You’re under no obligation to be here, Pippa. Go back to your rooms.” Please go back to your rooms. Before I lose control and do something you clearly don’t want.

She finally looks up at me. “I don’t want to leave. I’m going to enjoy myself tonight.”

“This isn’t the kind of party where you dance and talk about the weather, Pippa. Are you just going to stand around and watch me bring pleasure to someone else?” I step forward.

She stands her ground, but her lips turn down at the corners.

I pinch her chin and tilt her head. “Are you planning on seeking pleasure from someone else?” My muscles fill out, blood pumping furiously through my veins. I’m fighting the claws, the need to throw her over my shoulder and run away to feast. “Don’t you dare fucking tell me you’re going to let one of my siblings bite you.”

She drops her mask to her side and glares at me. “You’re being ridiculous. Of course I’m not going to do any of that.”

“Then what do you want, Pippa? Why are you here tempting me?”

“Tempting you?” Her head tilts. My eyes drop to the pounding pulse point on her neck.

“It’s the new moon, Pippa. I’m hungry. So hungry.” My fangs dig into my bottom lip, drawing blood.

“I talked to Noah.” Her voice is so quiet I wouldn’t hear it if I wasn’t Mavarri. Her cheeks fill with the color of pink roses, and that sunshine scene of lemon blossoms assails me.

My hands clamp at my sides, my pulse erratic. “And?”

“And I want you to bite me.”

“For appearances.” There’s a bitterness in my tone that I don’t intend, and it just makes me even more irritated with myself.

“And for my health,” she replies. “Yes.”

I tilt my head back and blow a breath at the stars. “I’m not sure if this is a good idea.”

“Noah said it would make me feel better.”

“Biting isn’t the only thing I do at a new moon party. My venom is… euphoric. You can’t understand what it will do to you.” Or to me.