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His entire body tensed. He gripped my wrist. “Don’t,” he growled.
I swallowed, hurt, and then noticed his eyes. The irises were rimmed with electric blue—and that muscle still jumped in his jaw.
I tugged on my wrist, and he released it. His gaze raked down my naked body, a slow, hungry sweep that made my womb clench.
He’d forgotten to bring down his hand. It hung in mid-air, and as I watched, his fingers opened and closed as if he had to force himself not to reach for me.
“Gabriel.” I slid a hand around his nape and drew him down until his mouth touched my throat. “That you offered to release me? That means more than you can know. But I want this. I wantyou. Now. Forever. Whatever it takes.”
26
Gabriel
Mila’s fingers were warm on the back of my neck. The faint taste of buttered popcorn clung to her breath. It mixed with her own clean, sunshiny scent. The aroma of summer: boardwalks, carnivals, baseball games.
I nuzzled her throat, tempted. So tempted.
In that instant when I’d heard Mila humming in the bathroom, I’d known I had to release her from her oath. Yeah, she said she loved me, but what would happen when the reality of being with the Kral crown prince sank in?
Remain with me and her whole life would change. And even if she decided to stay, she couldn’t stay with me as a human. It simply wasn’t safe.
Mom was right. Either I convinced Mila to transition to dhampir, or I set her free. The only other option was to cage her, and for Mila, that would be the worst choice of all.
As for asking her to transition to dhampir, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I don’t care how strong she was, 50/50 odds were too damn dicey.
I wouldn’t give her up for my father.
I wouldn’t give her up for the Syndicate.
But I would do it for her. My beautiful, barefoot, wild-child Mila.
I’d steeled myself to set her free. Releasing her from the blood bond and sending her away would be like cutting out my heart, but I’d survive. Somehow.
Instead, she’d come closer, offered me her throat.
My whole being came alert, my skin prickling like a big cat readying itself to take down prey. I buried my face in the sweet underside of her jaw, my fangs alive with sensation. It didn’t help that I was starving, the filet mignon and blood-wine I’d had for dinner a distant memory.
Mine, whispered the vampire that lived in my soul.
Without lifting my head, I walked her backward to the door, pinning her to the wood with my body. Spearing my fingers into her hair, I drew her head back even further and lapped at her soft, exposed skin. Preparing her for my bite.
At her aroused moan, a dark thrill vibrated down my spine. My fangs lengthened along with my dick.
“Mine,” I heard someone say in guttural tones, and realized this time, I’d said it aloud.
“Yes.” A tremor went over Mila. Her mound pressed against my aching erection. Even through my pants, I felt her wet heat. My painfully hard dick swelled even more.
I inhaled, opened my mouth, and then froze at how close I was to losing control and mindlessly sinking my teeth into her. I lifted my head and removed her hand from my nape, turning it so I could see the wrist. I stared, mesmerized, at the network of blue veins visible beneath the warm olive of her skin.
My nostrils flared. The craving was a hard, clawing drumbeat in my bloodstream.
“I want you. Now. Forever. Whatever it takes.”
I pressed my lips to her wrist. The skin was petal-soft, the delicate veins pulsing gently beneath. Her breath sped up.
I traced the fragile blue lines with my tongue. Slow, exploring licks.
Her low, aroused moan hummed over my skin. I scraped my fangs down her wrist. Teasing both her and myself.
