Page 70 of Vanessa’s Bravery

He met her gaze. “You can tell me anything. I promise whatever it is, you won’t get rid of me anymore. I’m here to stay.”

She felt a smile curve her lips upwards. She knew he was telling the truth. She could feel it.

“The night you got attacked…”

He nodded. “Go on.”

“You were badly injured. The rogue had already taken so much blood from you, and you would have bled out within minutes, if I hadn’t done what I did.” Just the thought of that moment sent an icy shudder down her spine.

“That night you said the injuries weren’t that bad, and honestly, when I looked in the mirror, I noticed that they were only superficial.”

“I know that’s what I said. But that was a lie. Because had I told you what I did to heal you as quickly as possible, you would have pushed me away.”

His forehead furrowed. “What did you do?”

“When you passed out on the street, I licked over your wounds to close them. A vampire’s saliva heals skin, but it wasn’t enough. The injuries on your neck were too deep. I carried you back—”

“I knew it. That’s why you said before that I was in and out of consciousness, because I wouldn’t have believed that you’d be capable of carrying me while I was fully unconscious. I don’t doubt that anymore.” He pressed a kiss to her nose.

“Trust me, you were heavy nevertheless. But I had to get you off the street. I couldn’t risk that anybody could see what I had to do.” She paused for a moment. “I had to give you some of my blood to drink, so you could heal from the inside. It was the only way.”

A short gasp escaped Cole’s throat. “Your blood? But wouldn’t that mean that I’m a vampire now too?”

She shook her head. “No, that’s not how humans are turned. You’d have to be on the brink of death for a vampire’s blood to turn you. But there’s a side effect other than healing that comes with ingesting vampire blood.”

“Side effect?” He moved a little, raising his head higher. “What side effect?”

“Sexual arousal.”

She watched him take in the news, and could see exactly when he realized what that meant.

“Does that mean that when I made love to you on the couch, when I went down on you, it was because of your blood?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not.”

He smirked, and pulled her on top of him. Her legs opened and rested at either side of his hips so she was straddling him.

“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to give me more of your blood to prove what you just told me?”

“Don’t you believe me?”

He winked at her, a soft smile on his lips. “Oh, I believe you, babe. I just want to experience that side effect again.”

“You’re a rascal,” she chided, while her heart warmed. “But I believe it’s my turn now.”

“You mean…”

He lifted his hand to her lips. Without a word, she parted them and allowed her fangs to descend to their full length.

“Fuck, baby.”

With his index finger he stroked over one fang. Vanessa jolted and reared back.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized, an expression of true worry on his face. “Did I hurt you? I didn’t mean to.”

She snatched his hand and brought it closer to her face again. “No, you didn’t hurt me. But a vampire’s fangs are erogenous zones.”