AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His brows rose. “Because I gave away venison I’d never be able to use?”
“You could have dried it. You didn’t have to share.”
He sighed, his gaze shifting past her but not appearing to land on anything particular. “I suppose, but it was a rough winter that year and some of the families had it hard. How could I not have shared? What kind of mastyr would that have made me?”
He turned back to his soup and using a wooden spoon, stirred slowly. He already had thick slices of bread all buttered and toasting in the oven.
Her gaze became fixed to the back of his head. Vojalie wasn’t entirely right that Regan didn’t know Ian. She knew he was generous and self-sacrificing as most vampire Guardsmen were.
Her heart got that swollen feeling again. She leaned her elbow on the cool marble, and dropped her chin into her hand. She had to repress a heavy sigh. She was close to mooning after the man all over again.
“I’ll do it, Ian, the protective blood streaks. I think it’s the smart thing to do. Maybe I can’t be bound to you right now, but I know we’ll be better off if we follow Mastyr Malik’s lead.”
Afterward stacking up the toasted sour dough on a plate, he ladled soup into two bowls. He met her gaze. “That means a lot to me.”
She wished he wasn’t so damn handsome. Just looking at him sent desire skyrocketing.
He brought a bowl around for her as well as a spoon and napkin. “Dig in,” he said. “I have a feeling this is going to be a long night.”
~ ~ ~
Ian could hardly taste the soup. For some reason, the jasmine-lime scent Regan carried as a blood rose had invaded the kitchen, though he didn’t know why. The problem was his cock loved it, couldn’t get enough, and wouldn’t settle down especially knowing she’d be opening a vein soon to create the protective streaks on his arms. He almost groaned at the thought.
He dipped his spoon in the soup but didn’t dare look at Regan. And it didn’t help at all that she kept making her cooing sounds because she was enjoying her food. She might have a well-developed spiritual side and spent most of her time teaching in her fae retreat, but she was also extremely sensual.
She loved life, loved good food, and she adored sex.
He took a big bite of sour dough bread, hoping the flavors would mitigate her exquisite scent.
No such luck.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Not even a little.”
She chuckled. “This soup is to die for. My compliments to your housekeeper. And the bread, well, what can I say … heaven.”
“She’ll appreciate your compliments.”
When the meal was over, he did a quick clean-up of dishes. Regan brought the empty bowls, plates and spoons to him, but remained very quiet.
Glancing at her, he thought he understood why because he was feeling the same thing. He’d be piercing her vein soon and given the reality she was a blood rose, besides her seductive scent and their past history, sharp desire ran through him.
The heightened color on her cheeks as well as her flowery-lime scent spoke its own tale.
By the time he hung up his dish towel, he felt like a kid on a first date.
He caught her hand in his. “How about we get this over with before one of us explodes.”
She giggled. “I feel ridiculous, Ian, like I’m sixteen. I’m so nervous and we’re not even doing anything.”
He leaned close and spoke against her ear. “No, I’m just going to pierce the veins of your wrist. That’s all.” He rubbed his nose against her cheek, then pressed his lips to hers very gently.
When she pulled back, he stared into glimmering, doe eyes. “Where do you want to do this?” she asked.
“Out on the walkway if you’re game. I want to feel the fresh air flowing off the mountain.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
