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Breasts heaving, she presses her hands to my chest. “How can I know that? Maybe you just needed blood. Maybe I’m just a meal and a fling.”
The pain in my chest is sharp. I should be stronger than the words she’s throwing at me. Of course, she has doubts. “You are much more, but I understand your feelings. I bit you today because you needed it. You taste divine, but I didn’t feed. I don’t know exactly why your reaction to me was so feral, but my elixir was necessary.”
“You said something about finding a mate.” Her voice trembles.
I trace a path along her jaw, down her neck to her shoulders. Her skin is soft and warm and I hear the blood rushing through her veins. “I will not drink from you again unless you ask it of me. We will never do anything you do not fully endorse, sweetheart.”
Her pupils dilate. “You can do that? I mean, you can control your desire to bite?”
My heart pounds several times before returning to the very slow pulse of a few beats per minute. “I controlled it today or I would have bitten you a second time when I was buried inside you.” I touch the space at the side of her neck where her artery pulses. “I would have sunk my teeth into this beautiful throat and drawn out your pleasure. You taste so sweet, it was harder than it should have been to resist, but taking what is not offered isn’t my way.”
Squeezing her thighs together, she gasps.
Her scent fills me, and I know desire courses through her.
Morris clears his throat from the doorway. “Dinner is ready in the garden.”
I smile at her blushing cheeks and shocked wide eyes. “We’re on our way. Thank you, Morris.”
Britta giggles and covers her mouth.
The sound of her joy is magical and beautiful. It’s too soon to tell her I want to hear her laugh every day for the rest of my life. “I don’t ever want you to fear me.”
She tips her head back to meet my stare. “I’m not afraid of you, Oliver. I just don’t understand why everything about us is so intense. I’m not entirely convinced that you haven’t entranced me in some way.”
“No more than you have me.” It’s the absolute truth. I don’t understand our connection either, but I’m drawn to her and since meeting her, I feel more alive than I have in my entire life.
She swallows, drawing my attention to her throat. “Maybe it would be better if I left.”
It was always going to happen. She’d get her story and leave. So, why is it killing me to hear her say it? “Is that what you want?”
“I think it would be for the best. This thing between us won’t work out. I live in New York City. You live in the woods. I’m a reporter and you’re part of a story I was sent to cover.” She steps back.
Holding her hand in mine, it’s hard to keep the anger from my voice. “I think this afternoon we stepped beyond a reporter and her subject.”
Pulling her hand back, she wraps her arms around her middle and walks to the door. “Of course we did, but that’s the point, Oliver. I still have to write a story.”
“I know. Write whatever you want.” I move to her side in a second. “But stay for dinner. Morris spent the entire day in the kitchen preparing a fine meal. He’ll be heartbroken if you leave without tasting it.”
A lovely smile brightens her face and my mood. “For Morris, I’ll stay.” Her cheeks turn the most delightful shade of pink.
* * *
If the noises of delight coming from Britta are to be believed, the meal was a success. She puts her fork down and sighs. “That was wonderful. Thank you, Morris.”
Beaming, Morris takes her plate. “I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, Miss Daniels.”
“What smells so good?” Silas’s voice echoes through the house.
“None of your business,” Declan calls from the kitchen where he’s likely been all night, eating and eavesdropping.
Morris hurries, plates in hand, toward the house. “Don’t you dare wreck my kitchen. I have plenty of food.”
The pounding of heavy feet toward the kitchen makes its way to the garden.
“Who was that?” Britta looks around as if she might find an escape route.
“My brothers have returned home early.” My ire rises. “Likely because Declan told them about you.”
