“Little bird?”
Wren shifted her focus from the city below, gazing at him with her green eyes. “Your view is beautiful.”
Her voice was soft, delicate and timid. Hints of fear wafted over him and he cringed at her emotions.
“Thank you. Come, sit with me. As you said, I have things to explain.”
Her dread spiked, yet he could tell the exact moment that her body made the decision to follow him. Even now, her cells called to him and he ached to answer.
Griffin nestled onto the comfortable couch, tugging her down until he cuddled her in his lap.
“Griffin, I’m too—”
“Perfect in my arms? Yes, you are. Because I know you weren’t going to say anything bad about yourself, were you?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Jerk.”
He had to admire her spunk. “Your jerk.”
This time she rolled her eyes. “I’m not your anything. I’m addicted to you for some freakish reason, but that’s it. Was it the sex? It must have been the sex. Because you’ve got that perfected. How old are you? It must be because you’re ancient. Are you, like, a jillion?”
Griffin didn’t know any other way to shut her up, so he kissed her, laving her lips until she opened to him, and ventured into her waiting mouth. He scraped a fang over her invading tongue and suckled the muscle, drawing droplets of her blood into his mouth. This was perfection, ambrosia, the ultimate sustenance and exactly what he’d been missing during their separation.
Wren wiggled in his lap, ass cradling and teasing his cock as it hardened within his slacks. He ached for her, his body desperate to be sated by the nymph in his arms. He deepened their connection, delving into her more and more, lapping and collecting her flavors with every breath.
His Fire moaned into him and he returned the sound. His fangs fully descended, aching to sink into her flesh and drink her blood, only to replace it with his own and bind her to him for eternity. The little nips he’d delivered, tiny sips, weren’t enough. Not when she hadn’t returned the favor.
But, damn Carac, he had been ordered to give her the choice.
Banking his passion, he eased their kiss, pulled back from their connection until their lips barely touched.
“I’m only three hundred seventy-two, actually.”
Face flushed, lips plump and reddened, his Fire stared at him with unfocused eyes. “Huh? Wha—”
“Three hundred seventy-two. Including pre and post transition years.”
“Oh.” Wren cleared her throat. “What about this addiction thingy?”
Griffin sighed. He should have brought Brom along. Hell, even Simond would have been helpful. Liam and Carac would have scared his little bird, but they could have gotten him through this as well.
“Long ago—”
“In a land far away?” He glared at her and she ducked her head. “Sorry. Continue.”
“Long ago, humans and vampires had…close relationships.”
“Beyond the whole ‘you’re lunch’ thing?”
“Wren…” He’d get through this, damn it. He was pretty sure he had a tie or two that would work as gags.
“Again with the sorry. But you’re taking forever to get to the point.” She wiggled and sat up straight. “Here, I’ll help.” She dropped her voice low, probably in a parody of him. “My name is Griffin and you’re jonesing for me because…” She looked at him expectantly.
Griffin tightened his lips for a moment, shoving his fangs back into his gums. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to spank her or fuck her. Or both.
“I want you to remember that I tried to ease you into this.” He took a deep breath. “You’re craving me because you’re my Fire.”
“Like, Come on baby, light my fire…? That’s very sixties of you. Ohmygawsh! Were you part of The Doors? I love them. I wasn’t around then, but I got into them in high school and they’re pretty awesome. Even if Jim Morrison is dead. Oh! You’re Jim Morrison!”
The gag was looking better and better.
“No, I wasn’t part of The Doors, nor am I Jim Morrison. And a vampire’s Fire is essentially their other half. You warm me in a life of ice. The beating of your heart matches my own. Your every breath enriches me with life.” He twined his fingers with hers. “You are the other half of my soul, Wren.”
He heard her heart rate increase, blood thundering through her veins as fear soaked the air. The grip on his hand grew as she squeezed tighter and tighter until her knuckles were white against her already pale skin.
His little bird forced out a laugh. “Vamps have souls? Huh. Imagine that.” She tugged against his hold. “Well, I’ll just be going now and…”