Page 27

I put the wipe aside and held out my wrist.

Sten stared at it. “Robyn.”

“You’re getting worse, and we already know my blood might help. I’m offering, Sten. Nobody is forcing me.”

“Because you believe I will die without it.”

“Because you’re injured and I can help. I give blood to strangers every three months. At least with you I know where it’s going.”

“I am not your patient.”

That was only half true. He had the potential to be more than my alien patient. But was I ready for that? Definitely not. Although looking at his fangs made my mouth water and heat pool in my core. That wasn’t supposed to be the reaction, but it’s not like I could decide what I’d get aroused by.

His tail slapped against the sofa.

I kept my wrist extended. “You don’t have to accept. But this is my decision, not yours.”

The stone had reached his knuckles. He looked at it, then at my wrist.

“If you tell me to stop, I will.”

I smiled at him, trying to project confidence. “I know.”

“You cannot know that.”

“I’m good at reading people. And gharrgoils, I hope.”

His lips twitched at my correct usage of his people’s name.

I moved to sit beside him. “My wrist. Only a little. And no surprises.”

Sten wrapped his hand around my forearm. His palm was rough and warm against my skin. He turned my wrist over and lowered his head, but his fangs didn’t touch me.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

His tongue moved over my pulse.

It was rougher than a human tongue. Heat rushed up my arm and settled low in my stomach before he’d even bitten me.

Then his fangs pierced my skin.

Pain flashed through my wrist. I sucked in a breath and gripped the edge of the sofa.

Sten froze.

“I’m fine,” I whispered. “Continue.”

His mouth closed around the wounds.

The first pull was unlike anything I’d expected. The pain disappeared beneath a wave of warmth that spread through my arm, my chest and lower. My nipples tightened beneath my shirt.

Sten groaned against my skin.

His tongue passed over the bite before he drew from me again. The sensation curled deep inside me, making my thighs press together.

His tail wrapped around my leg.