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My heart pounded against my ribs, trying to break free.

“Feeding is an intimate thing and brings more pleasure to both parties,” Julian purred, caressing my face.

“So what’s the problem?” I asked, struggling to meet his mouth again. He held me firmly, yet gently, stroking my cheeks with his thumbs.

He grinned, his fangs extended again. “I don’t trust myself to be able to stop. Not when I’m under the influence of a foreign substance. I couldn’t bear to hurt you. Please go.”

I didn’t want to go. But I also wasn’t about to take advantage of him if he was compromised. I wanted him to understand one thing above all else. I cupped his beautiful, tortured face and locked gazes with him.

“You won’t hurt me,” I said, never more sure of anything in my life.

The strain in his features melted as though I’d said magic words, and he lowered his forehead to mine. “Thank you,” he whispered like a prayer.

“What can I do to help you?” I asked, determined to control myself but unwilling to leave him like this.

“I can’t focus. I have to…have to feed.” He tore himself from me and turned away, head down in shame.

“It’s okay, Julian. I know you have to feed. It’s survival, and you can control how much you ta—”

“I appreciate your trust, but what if I lose control? Oh gods.” He spun to face me, crimson eyes wide with terror. “What if they all do? Someone purposely wanted all the vampires to lose control and go on a murderous rampage.”

The truth in the situation hit me hard, and I crumpled against the wall with the understanding that this was far bigger than Julian or me.

“Why would someone do this?” I asked, probably a mirror of Julian’s face minus the red, glowing eyes. And fangs. “We have to stop them before it’s too late.”

“You won’t go near them. That would be like walking into a den of starving lions. Dammit, I can’t think clearly!” His sudden fury made me jump, but I knew he wasn’t angry at me. And as much as I resisted needing protecting or rescuing, he was right. It would be stupid on my part. But maybe there was something I could do to help Julian.

“You have to feed so you can figure out what to do,” I said, pushing off of the wall and approaching him slowly.

He watched me, brows furrowed, until I reached him and snaked my arms around his neck. “It’s okay, Julian. I’m a willing donor. Take what you need to clear your mind.” I pulled my hair to the side and tilted my head so my throat stretched before him like the platter of appetizers Michelle had set on the table.

Trying not to grimace at the memory of the ugly wounds on the woman’s neck, I stayed still, steadily guiding his head down toward me.

“Are you certain?” he asked, nuzzling the tender skin over my pulse. “I won’t hurt you. You ensured that when you commanded it.”

I hadn’t meant to use my mind-bending, but I must’ve when I’d been so sure about saying he wouldn’t hurt me.

“But I don’t want to take something you aren’t ready to give,” he said, cupping my head and running his lips along my throat in a way that lit up every nerve ending in my body.

“I’m as ready as you are,” I said, pressing my core against his impressive length. “Can’t you tell?” I knew he could. It’s probably what brought Carmichael upstairs, come to think of it. If he was already drugged… Hell, any shifter or vamp in a mile’s radius could probably scent my arousal right now. That was hormones 101.

Julian groaned, whispered my name one more time, and sunk his teeth into my throat.

Chapter Twelve

Fated or Not, the Man is Hot

The pain lasted all of a second, then time seemed to still as a warm euphoria washed through me. My pulse thumped in my ears as Julian tenderly suckled at my neck. The way his tongue and teeth worked over the flesh…

I hooked my legs around his hips, clenching him closer as he lifted me from the wall, still attached at the throat. Moaning, I reached down, trying to free him from his pants, but he caught my hand. About to cry out in frustration, I stopped when I realized he was guiding me, pressing my palm along his shaft as he undid the button and zipper.

He sprung free into my grip, to my surprise, not just rock hard, but hot. I fisted and stroked him, still rubbing my core forward. He got the message and tore away my underwear, slamming me into the wall again with a growl when he felt how slick and ready I was.

Helping guide him inside of me, I let my head rest as he filled me, igniting every pleasure center I had. He sucked harder as he increased his speed, bringing me toward the brink.

“More,” I croaked, the world spinning around me and, once again, only Julian to ground me. If I could pull all of him in, I would.

His finger found its way to my most sensitive bundle of flesh and circled as he drove himself in, harder, more completely.