Page 14 of Bleed

My fingers curl into the velvet cushion beneath me as warmth floods through my limbs, everything narrowing down to the feel of his mouth at my throat and the rhythmic pull as he feeds.

And, just like always, he stops before I want him to.

The loss hits immediately. A dull ache settles beneath my skin as he withdraws his fangs, his tongue sweeping slowly over the puncture marks to seal them with the enzymes in his saliva. The gesture sends another involuntary shiver through me. Then he leans back, his dark eyes meeting mine as his tongue darts out to catch a stray drop of blood at the corner of his mouth.

“Delectable, as always,” he murmurs.

Heat creeps up my neck as I huff out a breathless little laugh. “Glad to be of service.”

And I’d happily service him in other ways, if he ever asked.

But Henry’s never requested more than a simple feed, which is a damn shame.

He gives me a minute to collect myself, his hand remaining steady at my waist while my pulse slowly levels out. Then he rises gracefully to his feet, offering me a hand.

I take it, letting him pull me upright.

“Promise me you’ll try to spend more time on your art this week,” he murmurs as he walks me toward the front door, his palm firm against the small of my back.

“I’ll try,” I say, glancing up at him with a coy little smile.

Henry slips a cash tip into my palm as he opens the door, his gaze briefly flicking toward the black car waiting at the curb before he steps aside to let me pass.

“Until next time, Tiffany.”

“Looking forward to it,” I reply with a wink as I move past him, the front door clicking shut behind me as I start down the townhouse steps.

About halfway, the feeling hits. That unmistakable sensation of being watched.

My steps slow, the pleasant haze from Henry’s bite evaporating fast as adrenaline slices through the lingering warmth in my veins. I glance up, scanning the quiet street. Shadows stretch long beneath the streetlights, dark pockets tucked between parked cars and narrow alleyways.

Then I see it– a figure standing across the street. Tall, dark, and motionless.

My heart trips over its valves.

The shape almost blends into the shadows, but there’s something familiar about the silhouette. Broad shoulders, stillness that feels too deliberate.

I blink, and it’s gone, my stomach swooping.

Was that…?

I don’t scare easily, but my heart’s slamming against my ribs, the sudden sharp spike of panic leaving me dizzy. I force myself to keep moving, heels clicking faster against the pavement as I head for the waiting car.

Act natural.

Don’t run.

Don’t fucking run.

I slip into the back seat quickly and pull the door shut behind me, hitting the locks.

Matt glances back immediately, his brow creasing. “All good?”

“Yeah,” I answer too quickly. “I just… thought I saw something.”

His expression tightens, but he doesn’t push me for answers. Instead, he shifts the car into drive and eases away from the curb while I glance back through the rear window, searching the shadows again.

Nothing.