by Ginna Moran
A wave of ecstasy explodes through me, and I reach for something to hold onto. Bronx eases me down and takes my hand, linking our fingers together as I orgasm. He slows down, watching my face, just taking an extra moment to kiss between my legs again as I get my breathing under control.
“That was the best thing I’ve ever experienced,” he says, sliding up next to me to take me into his arms. “You’re so incredible. Everything about you.”
I smile and kiss him. “I love our time together. I hope you know that.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear. “Even when bullshit stuff happens?”
“That just makes moments more meaningful to me,” I say, running my fingers along his chest. “But you know what would make this even better?”
“Hmm?”
“I wasn’t joking about wanting to take care of you. I want you to bite me. I’m ready to try, and I want it to be you. I know you’ll be gentle. I mean, if you want to.”
He doesn’t respond right away, his dark eyes searching my face. “Are you sure?”
“More than anything.”
He swallows and nods. “I want you to bite me too.”
“You sure about that?”
“It’s what I want.”
“Okay,” I say with a smile, excitement washing through me.
Bronx grins back at me and helps me sit up so that we face each other. He adjusts my legs over his, pulling me so close that my thighs meet his hips, though he doesn’t push his body between my legs.
Gently brushing my hair away from my shoulder, he traces his finger down my neck, making me inhale a soft breath. He extends his fangs, the action setting my body off like crazy, and his eyes flash silver at my reaction.
“You can tell me to stop at any time,” he says, holding my gaze. “And I won’t drink too much.”
I bob my head and tilt my neck to the side, giving him silent permission. My heart thrashes around my chest the closer his mouth gets, and he starts by kissing the skin of my throat softly and then works his lips to my shoulder.
“Take a breath, Gwen,” he whispers.
The second I inhale, Bronx’s fangs pierce my skin. It happens so fast that I barely feel a pinch before he glides his tongue over my skin and molds his mouth over his bite. I moan so fucking loud at the strange yet good sensation, the noise making Bronx dig his fingers into my sides. I had expected more pain than pleasure, but there is nothing about this that hurts. It turns me on. I feel so good, so desired, in this moment as I finally allow myself to fulfill his needs as a vampire the way he fulfills mine as a dhampir.
“Bite me, Gwen,” he murmurs against my skin. “Please.”
My body buzzes under his words, and I don’t hesitate to give him what he wants. I shift closer, feeling his arousal awaken again between my legs, enjoying just the friction of our movements. He moans as I kiss and graze my teeth along the skin of his shoulder.
His lips tighten on my shoulder as I sink my teeth into him, but he releases his mouth with a moan. Sweet, sugary blood dances across my taste buds, tasting so good that I hum and suck harder.
And I keep sucking.
And sucking.
“Gwen,” Bronx murmurs. “That feels...” His words trail off.
I slowly ease away to look at him. A strange expression crosses his face, and he blinks his eyes a few times.
“Shit,” I whisper. “I drank too much, didn’t I?”
Bronx slumps back onto the pillows, sending a blip of panic through me. I quickly hold my arm up to his lips, and he links his fingers to my wrist and bites me. Something snaps inside me, sending hunger pain through me, and I press my hand into his chest. He releases his lips from me, his eyes widening.
“Jameson!” Bronx yells, grabbing for my other arm.
Two hands grab me from my waist, yanking me back. I scream out and thrash, fear kicking my body into action.
“It’s okay, Gigi. It’s me,” Jameson says, twisting me in his arms.
The second our eyes meet, he startles. He rips the collar of his shirt and bends his neck for me. I don’t even have a chance to think before I bite him too.
I can’t stop sucking.
My body wants nothing more than to drain Jameson dry.
Chapter 7
Savage
“FUCK, DID YOU REMEMBER TO feed her?” Jameson asks, keeping his voice even despite the fact that I curl my naked body around him and drink.
Bronx materializes next to us and drapes a blanket around me. “I did.”
Jameson strokes his hand up and down my back. I feel so out of control and annoyed at myself. What the hell happened? I wasn’t even that hungry. And now I can’t even summon the strength to pull away from Jameson. I feel as I did after being starved with Corona, but even then I still managed.
“More than just your blood?” Jameson shifts me, hugging me tighter. He still manages to remain calm, despite how rigid he stands.
Bronx groans and shifts behind Jameson to look at me. Our gazes meet, and I can’t handle the strange look he gives me, so I close my eyes. “Gwen, you have to stop. You’re drinking too much.”
Bronx reaches to touch my cheek, but Jameson spins me away. “Let her. I’m good.”
“She’ll get—”
Jameson releases a soft growl. “You have to let her. She needs to learn the consequences herself.”
Bronx growls back at Jameson. “But—”
“Trust me, Bronxy,” Jameson says, cutting him off. “Now go get some fucking clothes on. Your naked ass won’t help Gwen chill the hell out, and I’ve seen enough of your damn cock.”
Jameson strolls with me in his arms to the leather couch and sits down with me on his lap. He continues to stroke my back, letting me satiate my need for his blood. I don’t know what the hell happened—if Bronx drank too much or if his blood really set me off—but I still can’t seem to get myself in control. My stomach screams if I even consider pulling away.
“I hope you know it’s taking everything in me not to touch you how I like,” Jameson whispers, the softness of his voice tickling my skin. “You’re driving me crazy. That bite on your shoulder isn’t helping.”
I finally pull away from him to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry.”
Jameson smiles at me and leans forward to rub his nose to mine. “Don’t apologize. This is your time with Bronx. What the two of you do is none of my business, though I’d prefer not to have to get in the middle. You’re way too hot all wild like this. I love how you cling to me.”
I pat his chest. “You’re ridiculous. I can’t believe you were willing to risk me draining you.”
He smirks. “It’s because I knew you wouldn’t.”
“How are you so sure?”
Jameson stands up and sets me on my feet, adjusting the blanket around me. His green eyes sparkle in the light, and he flicks his gaze past me. I turn to catch sight of Bronx standing a few feet away, his shoulders straight and his posture stiff. From Bronx’s expression, I’m sure Jameson isn’t the only one preferring he didn’t have to get between me and Bronx.
Jameson nudges me in the back, getting me to take a step, and I immediately regret it. My stomach sloshes, the pain erupting in it not from hunger but something else. Bending down, I clutch my belly, which only makes it worse.
“What the hell?” I ask, the question more for myself. I’ve never felt this bad in my life after drinking blood.
Jameson comes up next to Bronx, and the two of them give me a once-over. Jameson squeezes my shoulder. “I’m sorry we didn’t talk about this. You were kind of busy trying to devour me.”
I blush at his comment. I’m nearly certain I’ll never hear the end of his teasing. “I’d have stopped.”
Jameson’s smirk turns into a full-blown smile, lighting his face. “I know, but I figured I’d help get your sexy wild ass in control.”
Bronx steps closer to me and shifts my hair, stopping it from veiling my face. “And I’m going to kick his ass for it.”
I hold my arms up, the liquid crashing back and forth inside me. And holy shit is it uncomfortable.
“Everett will probably kick my ass too,” Jameson says, dodging away from Bronx.
I attempt to get between them.
Big fucking mistake.
Bronx accidentally knocks into me trying to grab onto Jameson, and I stumble back. Jameson catches me by the waist, sending pain through me. I gag, my stomach heaving. The edges of my vision shadow, and I cover my mouth.
“Shit. She’s going to throw up, you asshole,” Bronx says, closing the space.
Just as Bronx says the words, I heave again. The world spins as he turns me away from him, and I vomit all over the front of Jameson, covering him in blood. He stands in shock, peering down the front of himself and then to me. Bronx brings me a damp towel and runs it over my mouth while searching my face.
“Can I kick his ass now?” Bronx asks me, pushing my hair away from my shoulder to keep it out of the way. His gaze flicks to the bite mark he left on me, and he gently runs his cool fingers over it like he can’t resist touching it.
I puff out my bottom lip, my stomach still screaming. My cheeks burn like crazy in embarrassment. This is so not hot. “Only if you take me to the bathroom first.”
Bronx hesitates, and I’m nearly certain he’s afraid of getting covered in the blood my body wants to expel in anger.
Jameson sighs and strolls to me, carefully lifting me up in his arms. The sudden jostling of my body causes me to heave and throw up again. I groan, mortified.
“Fuck. I went too far,” he says, swiping his hand across his face, flicking blood out of his eyes. He shuffles slowly toward the bathroom, carrying me like a bomb that will explode at any second. “Go get Everett. I’ll get her to the shower.”
Bronx disappears, leaving me with Jameson. He decides against the gentle approach and rushes us into the bathroom. He braces himself as I get sick again, my stomach so pissed off. I whimper and rest my head back on the cool tiles as warm steam fills the air.
Jameson steps into the shower with me, leaving his clothes in a pile on the floor. Gently shifting my hair, he rubs circles on my back without saying a word. I don’t know what he meant by claiming he went too far, because I’m pretty sure it was me.
“As soon as you get over your blood bloat, you can kick my ass. My brothers will help you,” Jameson says with a sigh.
I turn to look at him, keeping my elbows on my knees. “What the hell is blood bloat?”
“The only time a vampire gets sick is from over-consumption. It’s more discomfort than sickness, and we never throw up. I thought if I let you drink until that point, that your body would realize its limit.”
“And now all your blood has gone to waste,” I murmur, sticking out my lip more.
He groans. “I’m really sorry, Gigi. You just freaked me the fuck out.”
My brows furrow.
I don’t get a chance to ask him why when the glass shower door swings open, and Everett materializes in front of me. With one look into my eyes, he flashes his fangs and grabs Jameson by the neck, throwing him away from me. If the shower door wasn’t open, Jameson would’ve crashed through. Instead, he slips across the tiles and lands against the wall, not even fighting back as Everett looks ready to attack him.
“What were you thinking?” Everett yells, swinging his fist into the wall next to Jameson’s head. “I am her health keeper. You can’t take it upon yourself to try to fix a problem you have no idea about. You jeopardized her wellbeing!”
Jameson protects his face with his arms. “I’m sorry, brother. I just—when I saw her with Bronx, her fingers piercing his chest, I just acted.”
“Wh-what?”
My soft voice draws Everett’s attention to me. I try to get up, but my body wants nothing to do with it. I can barely lift my head without wanting to puke my brains out. Everett vanishes from in front of Jameson, leaving him naked on the floor. Stepping into the shower in his clothes, Everett kneels on the floor to get a better look at me. Bronx throws Jameson a towel, and Mikkalo motions for Jameson to leave with him. Neither of them looks in my direction like they’re trying to give me privacy. And I’m thankful for it.
Because, fucking gross. I didn’t want any of them seeing me as a hot mess. At least if they pretend they didn’t, it’s not so embarrassing.
“Bronx?” I try to get up from my spot in the shower, but my body won’t allow it.
Everett shifts my hair and holds me while I get sick once again. He slides his hand around me and presses it into my abdomen to feel my stomach. “Just take a few slow breaths. I think the worst of it is over.” His gaze trails from my face and down my neck, stopping at the bite mark Bronx left on my shoulder. Silver flashes in his eyes, but he doesn’t react, continuing his exam of the rest of my body. “Come on. Let me help you out.”
Bronx stands outside the shower with a towel in one hand for me, and I freeze in my tracks. Everett carefully starts drying me off as I gape at Bronx, hovering before me with only a towel around his waist. He holds another towel, stained with blood, over his chest. My mouth falls agape as Jameson’s words from before he left finally sink in. I step forward while Bronx steps back, keeping three feet of space between us.
“Shit,” I whisper, trying not to freak out. “What did I do?”
“I’m fine, dandelion. I like a little rough play, remember?” he says, stepping back out of my reach again.
My chest aches more than my stomach. “You’re afraid of me.” I can’t stop the words from coming out, my voice barely a whisper.
Bronx sighs. “No, definitely not.”
“Then stop dodging my closeness,” I say, trying to capture him with my gaze.
Everett disappears from beside me and stands behind Bronx, not letting him move away from me again. The two of them growl at each other, but Bronx doesn’t try very hard to break out of Everett’s grip.
“Let our girl take a look at you, Bronx,” Everett says. Lowering his voice, he adds, “She’s not going to stop pouting until she sees for herself that you’re okay. I don’t know about you, but I want to see her smile. Your stubbornness about showing signs of weakness will hurt her feelings. She’s going to think she did something wrong when this wasn’t her fault. You drank too much.”
The two of them realize I can hear them, and Bronx groans, shifting from Everett’s hold. He lets Bronx turn away from us to link his hands on the back of his head. I step forward and slide my arms around his waist, hugging him from behind.
The bathroom door clicks closed as Everett leaves without needing for me to ask him for a minute alone. Bronx drops his arms from his head and wraps his fingers around mine, squeezing them between his hands.
“Will you please look at me?” I ask, pressing my cheek between his taut shoulder blades. His heart picks up in a melody of thrums that matches mine.
Slowly turning around, Bronx meets my gaze. I automatically flick my stare down his chest to take in five very distinct puncture wounds that still bleed. He holds utterly still as I reach up and brush my finger around the injury I caused. And hell.
“It doesn’t hurt,” he whispers, relaxing the longer I stare. “You’d have missed my heart anyway.”
I scrunch my nose. “But still.”
Grasping my chin, he turns my head up so that I meet his eyes. “Apparently we’re both a little out of control. Everett was right. I drank too much from you, and I’m sorry. I’m not used to drinking from anyone.”
“You think you drank too much?” I touch my hand to my stomach. “I’m not just out of control. I’m a fucking savage. You can’t even properly heal. What if—”
Bronx silences me with a kiss, not letting me spill my anxiety all over the place like I had his and Jameson’s blood. “No thinking about stuff that was unlikely to happen.”
“Bronx,” I say against his lips.
“I hope tonight didn’t ruin this for you.” By this, he means us. He doesn’t have to say it fo
r me to know that he’s worried it might have. “This is new, and I know I’ll be better.”
Without having to ask, I know he hopes that this wasn’t it. I know how much he desires my closeness in every aspect. “I hope all my damn grossness didn’t ruin me for you,” I respond with a grimace. “You looked nervous as hell.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “I was. I’ll be honest. I didn’t know how to handle...that.”
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t happen next time. Or ever again.” My words lighten his brooding face even more as I confirm that I want there to be a next time with him. I draw my finger across one of the puncture marks, coating the tip in blood. “And maybe Jameson was onto something. I don’t feel out of control.”
He hums in his throat, watching me intently. “Hopefully not repulsed either.”
I pop the tip of my finger in my mouth. “Definitely not. I already feel tons better. Only want to bite you a little bit. A nibble.”
Pulling me closer, he hugs me. The weight of his arms around me feels like the only thing I’ll ever need. He’s not the only one relieved. His hesitation freaked me out. I can’t even imagine not being able to devour his attention and affection. “Don’t tease me, dandelion. It’s going to be hard enough to leave my room with you already, and I promised my brothers we’d join them for dinner. They should see you’re okay.”
I suck in my bottom lip between my teeth. “You’re right. I think I hear Everett pacing.”
“That’s Jameson probably waiting for you to kick his ass.”
I release a small laugh. “I’ve changed my mind, but I expect to be served dinner shirtless,” I call, standing on my tiptoes, raising my voice loud enough for Jameson to hear.
Bronx smiles and picks me up, not even reacting to my request. “Have it ready in thirty. I need some time to cuddle the hell out of our girl.”
“Make it an hour,” I say.