What did the magic of the Seal do to him, I wondered, touching his face with one hand and placing my other over his heart?
“Does it hurt?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No.” His lips found mine again, a new urgency in each kiss. I responded, my body coursing with desire. I wanted him to bite me, drink from me.
I sighed at a realization. He would never do those things again.
Christopher noticed. “What’s wrong?”
I didn’t want to answer. It wasn’t his fault I was changed, my blood no longer alluring. “It’s nothing,” I answered, trailing a finger along his collarbones, down the middle of his chest to his stomach muscles. I felt his body tremble at my touch.
“You’re sad.”
I swallowed back the lump in my throat. “I’ll miss your lips on my neck. The way your fangs part my skin. I’ll miss that part of us,” I said.
He didn’t respond and I looked up. An unreadable expression puzzled his features. As if making a decision, his gray-violet eyes focused on mine. And he smiled, a genuinely happy smile.
“What?” I asked, curious about what changed.
He nuzzled my neck. “You mean like this?” he asked, kissing a line down the vein.
“Yes,” I gasped, clutching his shoulders.
He moved to the other side of my neck and kissed the vein there. “Like this?”
“Yes. Yes.”
I craved him so badly.
When his fangs pricked my skin, I thought I should push him away. Do the right thing. I didn’t want my blood to burn him again. But I couldn’t. It felt too good. And when he sank his teeth into my flesh, I felt it low in my belly.
Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulled me to him so my chest was touching his, and he began to suck.
I figured at any second he would pull back, that the pain would be too much, but he didn’t stop. Instead he sucked harder, and I clung to him, lost in ecstasy.
Many beats later, he paused, lifting his face, his fangs still drawn. My blood still on his white teeth. A look of exquisite pleasure in his eyes. They were darker, richer. The most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen.
“A-Are you alright?” I asked.
He ran his tongue slowly over his fangs, and they retracted. “I’ve never felt better.”
My heart leaped. “My blood didn’t hurt you?” I asked, just to verify he wasn’t in any sort of pain.
He cupped my face in his hands. “Your delicious blood didn’t hurt. It…” he pushed his fingers through his hair. “It soothed me, lit me on fire in a good way, helped me to realize something.”
“What?” I asked, breathless.
He pressed my hand against his heart. “I’m yours. Heart. Body. Soul. If you want me, I’ll stay with you forever.”
My heart jumped. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?
“I love you,” he continued softly. “But it’s more than that.” He shook his head. “Can you promise me something?”
“Anything,” I whispered.
“Don’t let anyone else drink from you. Okay?”
It seemed a strange request, but one I could honor. “I promise.”
He smiled and wrapped me in a hug, brushing my hair with his hands. “I’m going to shower. Want to join me?” he asked.
Say yes. Say yes. Say yes, my inner voice screamed.
I leaned back, so I saw his face. “Pops said no hanky panky.” I giggled.
He huffed. “You’re right.” He unbuckled his belt, slid off his boots, and undid his pants. I stood there watching. In awe of the gorgeousness that was my Hunter. When he slid his thumbs under the elastic of his maroon boxer-briefs, I jumped.
“K, I’m going.”
He laughed and said, “Fine.”
I closed the door, and leaned against it. My heart raced. At the memory of his lips on mine, his words… At the idea of almost seeing him naked. I so wasn’t ready for what naked bodies together meant.
How do you know until you try, my inner voice huffed.
I took a deep breath, working to slow my racing heart.
Someday, for sure. But, not today.
Chapter 3
When we finished showering (separately) and getting ready (together), we went downstairs. Professor Pops was in his office. He saw us, and stood, tucking his reading glasses in his breast pocket. “Ready to see Kenmei?”
We both nodded.
“There is an interesting new development,” Christopher said, as we made our way down the hall.
I looked at him. There has, I thought.
“I see.” Professor Pops said, as he grabbed his keys. We followed him to the garage, and got in the car.
On the drive to the train station, Christopher told him about my blood no longer burning him. Although Pops seemed upset about the possible hanky panky, he didn’t say anything.