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The scent of lilac filled my nose, dragging me out of slumber. Memories of last night came flooding back, from the attack to Esmeralda’s bare breasts. The taste of whiskey still lingered on my tongue.
When I opened my eyes, it was well into the morning. It wasn’t my habit to get up this late, but the injury from last night must have made me sleep later than usual.
Esmeralda sat beside my bed. She was wearing a simple white shirt that contrasted with her black hair. She was wearing her collar, as I had requested. Her arm was bandaged, and I was reassured to see that there were no traces of blood. Her warmth radiated pleasantly against my arm as she seemed lost in thought.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
She jumped at the sound of my voice, not realizing I was awake. “Aleksander!”
I wanted to tell her that a pet shouldn’t call its master by his first name, but hearing it on her lips felt just perfect, soothing even.
She whispered, “I . . . I was so worried.”
I winced as I sat up in bed. Even so, I couldn’t help smiling at the sight of a human worrying about a vampire as strong as me. “You were worried about me?”
She bit her lower lip. “It’s my fault if . . .” Her eyes fell on my bandage, and she didn’t finish her sentence.
“Yes, it’s your fault,” I said harshly before softening my tone. “I hope you understand now that the city is dangerous. You’re prey for the other vampires, but you’re safe with me.”
She nodded and asked, “Will you heal?”
I chuckled at her question, but the action caused a hint of pain to shoot up my back that I ignored. “Vampires have restorative powers.”
“They do?” she asked. “That’s a relief.”
I thought it was cute that my pet was worried about me. I took her hand on the bed, and she didn’t withdraw it. It was the first time I’d had direct contact with her other than to save her last night. I enjoyed the softness of her skin, the warmth of her hand, and above all, the blood pulsing in her veins.
“It would heal quicker if I drank fresh blood,” I said, rubbing my thumb over the top of her hand.
Her heartbeat quickened, but she seemed curious rather than scared. “What do you mean?”
I reminded myself she came from a pack with minimal to no contact with our race. “Human blood is our main vital source,” I explained. “Blood wine is synthesized from donated blood but loses its purity. It allows us to survive in adulthood without having to sacrifice humans. But there’s no substitute for fresh blood, which increases our powers tenfold, including that of healing.”
Esmeralda remained pensive, and I lost myself in those brown eyes of hers—something I was startled to admit. The woman had only been in my life for a day, but I already appreciated her presence.
“Then drink my blood,” she offered suddenly.
A pulse came from deep within me, and I couldn’t hold back an immediate groan that escaped my chest.
“What?” I asked in astonishment. “Here you were yesterday, scared and trying to run away, and today you’re asking me to drink your blood?”
She pursed her lips and nodded. “Last night, you saved me. I’d probably be dead if not for you. And because of me, you’re hurt. The least I can do is offer you my blood.”
Courage now filled her once stubborn eyes. The beast in me tugged.
“If that’s what you want,” I murmured, pulling on her hand so she could sit on top of me.
“I won’t die, will I?” she asked as I undid her collar.
My eyes fell back on the bandage on her arm. The wound was shallow, but I’d still be careful not to drink too much. I reassured her. “Not at all.”
I ran my finger over her neck’s delicate, oh-so-attractive skin, raising goose bumps as I passed. The vein was so close I could feel it.
“You can only remove your collar before me. I’m the only one who gets to admire that skin in these intimate moments. Is that clear?”
Her eyes filled with yearning and apprehension—a war that raged—but she nodded. My teeth lengthened instinctively. All I wanted was to devour her right now, but she had never been fed from before. I wanted to make sure she was ready. I got close to her neck, and she shivered when my nose touched her skin as I inhaled her sweet scent.
“Are you ready?” I mumbled. My lips caressed her skin as I spoke.
