Page 79 of Ryder’s Storm

He lifted his head and looked at her, his body tensing, steeling himself for the heartbreak ahead. “Yes, of course. I’ll take you home. I would just ask you for one last favor. Please keep our secret. I’m sorry that I hurt you, and that I’m not who you hoped I would be.” He turned on his heel and walked to the door, his hand on the lock, when he felt Scarlet’s hand on his back.

“Ryder, look at me.”

He turned slowly, unable to deny her even the smallest wish.

“When I said take me home, I meant your home.”

His pulse started to race. “My home?”

Scarlet brushed her finger over his lips. “I want to make love to you. And I want to feel your bite.” She pushed her hair away from her neck and tilted her head. “Is that where a vampire bites the woman he loves?”

His heart pounded in his chest as if it wanted to jump from his body to hers, while his fangs descended and pushed past his lips. His breathing suddenly turned ragged. “There, or your breasts, or the inside of your thigh, anywhere you want to.”

“How about everywhere?” she whispered, her face close to his now.

“Are you trying to tell me that you have feelings for me?”

Scarlet brought her lips to within an inch of his. “Why don’t I give you the answer to that question when you make love to me, and when I feel your fangs pierce my skin?”

“Deal!”

Ryder pressed Scarlet to him and took her lips, kissing her, careful not to hurt her with his fangs, but she instantly demanded more, her tongue licking against his lips. “Easy, baby, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” she murmured and licked her tongue against one fang.

A bolt of fire shot through his body, and a moan ripped from his throat. He let go of her lips instantly.

“Did that hurt?” Scarlet asked, a concerned look on her face.

“Christ, no! It felt as if you were licking my cocks.”

“Oh!” A smile formed on her lips.

“A vampire’s fangs are one of the most erogenous zones on his body.”

“I’m gonna have to remember that.” Scarlet’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I suppose that means if I lick them you’ll get instant hard-ons?”

“Baby, just you being near me gives me instant hard-ons.” He slid one hand down her ass and rubbed his groin against her stomach. “Feel that?”

She sucked in a breath. “What’ll happen if I keep licking your fangs? Will you come?”

“Like a green teenager.”

“I guess then I’d better stop that until we get home.”

“I have a better idea.” Ryder released her from his embrace and walked to the far wall in the office, where he pressed a button. The Murphy bed descended and turned into a king-size bed with crisp sheets.

“Oh my,” Scarlet said on a gasp and bridged the distance between them with several steps. Then her eyes fell on his chest. “You need to get your wounds taken care of. The convict got you really bad.”

Ryder looked down at his chest. The V-CON had slashed him with his claws, leaving several gashes that bled. On his arms too, he had superficial cuts from his opponent’s claws.

“I’ve had worse.” He lifted his eyes to Scarlet’s face. “Your blood will heal me.”

“Are you saying that human blood…”

“Yes, human blood will heal a vampire’s wounds, just like vampire blood will heal a human’s injuries.”

Her eyes widened, and her pink tongue licked over her bottom lip. “You mean humans can drink vampire blood?”