Killer Temptation
Page 21
She laid her hand against his face, her thumb trailing the line of his scar. The pain in his eyes when he had fought his brother screamed through her. He loved his twin, just as much as he loved his other siblings. They were the same in that way; wanting the best for the ones they loved. “It wasn’t you. Yes, I thought that of you before, but now I know the truth, and when I gaze at you I see my family, my future.”
Trembling hands fell on her shoulders, nudging her back. “Just go before you make this harder for either of us to endure.”
“I can’t!” she grated out. “Don’t push me away, Tristan. I know I deserve this, because I’ve pushed you again and again, and for that, I am sorry. I’m so sorry for everything.”
His eyes shone with a threat of tears. “I’m not doing this to be cruel. I’m doing this for your own good. You have a chance to be free, a chance to back out of this moitié bond. You’re not linked the way I am.”
What did he mean? “I don’t understand.”
“I am doomed because I’ve tasted your blood, recognised your flavour as my mate and from that first moment I’ve needed you to survive.”
“Yes,” she agreed. From this day forth she would feed him. Make sure he remained healthy and whole. “And you’ll drink from me, take nourishment from me.” Warmth filled her, knowing some part of her would be in him and make him live.
He shook his head. “Please listen, Brianna. When I tasted your blood I became bound to you, dependent. But you did not take my blood. You did not taste me…so you are free to walk away from the bond. When two mates drink from each other they are linked forever. One cannot survive without the other.”
“But, I’m not a vampire. I don’t need blood to survive.”
“No, you don’t and you never will because you haven’t had my blood, so you haven’t bound yourself to me. But a life with me means you will need blood to live on. For humans to obtain immortality, it is required. And I can’t ask you to do that, to drink from me. I remember the night of the moitié ball when I first told you, you turned green.” He sighed, shoulders sagging in the process. “Go. This is your true chance at freedom. Take it, Brianna.”
Defeat betrayed her throbbing heart. She sucked in a breath, and used the last bit of hope remaining. “Please tell me you still want me.”
Tristan leaned forward and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Of course I want you. I waited my whole life, not knowing whether or not I’d find you. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. And I will never regret the time we shared. I’ll cherish you until my last breath.”
Now would be the time to prove she made her choice. “Turn your neck to the side.”
“What?” The slightest bit of hope weaved its way into his tone.
“You heard me. Do it. I want this. I want you, always.”
“I don’t think you realise what you’re saying,” he muttered, yet his head shifted to the side, perhaps unable to help himself. Was he aware of his actions?
She stared at the flexing muscles along the column of his pale neck. When she leaned forward, aiming just beneath his jaw, she stopped and considered biting him lower, perhaps above his collarbone. Having never done this, she didn’t want to hurt him—
“You hesitated. That’s proof you don’t want this.” His irritation displayed in the hostile tone of his voice.
Resting her hands on his biceps, she squeezed. “How do I do this without causing you much pain?”
“Are you serious?” He frowned. “We both know you won’t be able to stand it. Why don’t you save us both from embarrassment and further hurt and walk away now.”
“Answer my question,” she said, ignoring his blabbering.
“It will hurt regardless. In most situations, mated couples drink from each other while making love. Mixing the pain with the pleasure is one way to lessen the blow.”
Oh, well, that made sense. “Tilt your head…please,” she added.
He sighed again, tilted his face to the ceiling and bared his neck. “Just know I’m only doing this to prove a point. So, go on with it, bite me.”
Oh, he did not believe it possible. He expected her to cower, she could tell from the firm set of his jaw. She would do this, not to prove him wrong, but because she wanted to bind them together in every way possible. She wanted this relationship official in the vampire sense and the human sense.
With slow deliberation, she slid her palm down his chest, along his torso and over his pants. Tristan shivered at the slight caress.
“What are you doing?” he asked, sounding almost outraged.
“What do you think?” It wasn’t hard to miss the sultriness in her voice. “Mixing the pain with the pleasure.” She rubbed him over and over until he hardened, and even then she continued. Along his jaw, she planted small kisses, teasing him with little nips. He moaned at the ceiling, each quick breath he released echoed in her ear.
Her gums ached, her mouth watered, just as they had during their first encounter. With gentle care, she grazed her teeth along the skin of his throat. He groaned again.
Every nerve she owned hummed with a growing energy, a strange experience she never encountered in her existence. She needed to bite him. The last time she craved, the strong emotions hadn’t made sense. Now she understood what this meant. She needed him as much as he hungered for her. And they would continue to yearn for each other for all eternity…to share in blood and body.
With her hands on his shoulders, she urged him down…down until he sank to the floor. Straddling his lap she rocked against him, creating a friction that drove them both insane. She licked along his collarbone one last time, then at last sank her teeth into his neck, biting past skin. The first coppery drops filled her mouth, but she did not freak out as he’d assumed.
The taste of his blood did not frighten her, and she couldn’t fathom if it had to do with the eroticism of rocking against him or the fact the blood she drank ensured everlasting life with the man she loved.
Strong hands travelled up her back, tangled though her hair and held on for dear life. She swallowed more. The taste held a rich flavour like an expensive bottle of claret. Tristan spoke true. Vampires tasted like wine.
She leaned back. His eyes were shut tight, mouth open and trembling. “Your neck,” she said. “It’s healed. Why does this happen?”
“It’s part of our bond,” he confirmed, opening his eyes. “A bite from a moitié always heals fast.”
Brianna traced her fingers over the blood-stained neck. She had plenty to learn about the bond they shared.
A chuckle rumbled up his throat. “You did it. I can’t believe you really did it.”
“Of course. I love you, Tristan. When will you understand that?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t want to let you go, but I couldn’t keep you here anymore. I figured you didn’t love me and only contemplated staying because you felt obligated. I had to let you return home.”
“I’ve loved you since I first saw you, Tristan. But I felt so damn mortified every time I thought about you because of what happened to Rachel, so I ignored my feelings. I shouldn’t have ignored anything.”
“You were avenging your sister, your family. Speaking of, we will see them as soon as possible.”
“Yes, I can just imagine how worried Amber is. I miss her so much. Right now, I just want to be with you. Hold me, Tristan.”
He did, wrapping his strong arms around her and pulling her close. She rubbed the side of her cheek over the material of his shirt, listening for the steady beat of his beautiful heart. “I accused you of something you didn’t do and for that I’m sorry.” Her gaze ran up to meet his. “If you’ll let me, I’ll spend eternity making it up to you.” She bit her lower lip.
“You don’t owe me a thing. I love you with all my heart. But, now you have me curious—how exactly do you plan on making it up to me?”
Warmth surrounded her, inside and out. No amount of sunlight ever made her feel like this. She skittered back then rocked
forward, his erection still hard and ready to fill her. On a low chuckle, she twirled a pattern along his jawline with her fingertip. “Oh, I have my ways.”
He took her face in his hands and gave her a long, blissful kiss. “Show me, mon amour.”
A word about the author...
I don't ignore the characters in my mind. Instead, I allow them to show me their story. Writing is my passion and something I immensely enjoy.
I live in Sydney, Australia, with my husband. I love hanging out with friends, going to the movies, reading, and spending time with my loud, funny, feed-you-until-you-can't-breathe family.
I would love to hear from my readers. They may contact me at:
write2marianne@hotmail.com
and http://marianne-willis.blogspot.com.au/
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