"Don't worry, I'll protect you from them. Jubal, Gabrielle, and I always go home for visits together. If we team up, we have a chance."
"I am Carpathian," he pointed out.
"Like that's going to matter. But you keep thinking it will." Her hand fluttered to her throat, still raw and sore from the attack. "How come I didn't wake up gorgeous and perfect?" Joie glared at him. "I had visions of a makeover."
"You are gorgeous and perfect." He sounded puzzled. "I woke you early to give you more blood, but you'll be going back to the ground until you are fully healed." He touched his chest. "We both will."
She turned her head to look more fully at him, and her breath caught in her throat. "Oh, Traian, let me see." She rose up onto her knees in spite of his restraining hands. "You're really hurt."
Her eyes held worry, concern. Her hands moved over his chest with anxious, caressing strokes. Traian held his breath, shocked at the tidal wave of emotion sweeping through him. "It is of no consequence, but thank you for worrying."
"It's of great consequence," she contradicted him. "How do you do that healing thing? Can I do it to you? Would it work?" She was already leaning over him, her tongue swirling around the edges of his mangled skin.
Traian closed his eyes. Her tongue was soothing, a gentle caress that took him by surprise. She was attempting the healing chant in her head, the words soft and hesitant, but she got them right. His eyes burned, his throat clogged, and even his chest felt tight. It had not occurred to him that she would try to take care of his wounds.
"Silly man," she whispered. "Of course I'm going to take care of you. I need to take care of you."
He didn't open his eyes, afraid she might see tears there. "I thought you were a want to kind of woman."
"True, but women get to change their minds all the time. Right now I need to do this." She laughed, and her breath was warm against his bare skin. "You'd be surprised at the things I need to do." Her mouth was moving dangerously lower.
"Oh no, you don't," he objected. "You need to heal first, Joie. I am going to give you blood and put you back to sleep."
She laughed again, blew warm air over the head of his erection. "Really?" Her tongue licked him as if he were an ice cream cone. Swirled and danced and did outrageous things. "I'm back to the I’m a want to kind of woman. I want a lot of things right now. And I want you wanting me enough to stop worrying about whether or not I can make love in my delicate condition. And I want your body inside mine. Only you will do, Traian. I've fallen desperately in love with you, so, darn it, you have a few responsibilities." She proceeded to show him exactly what she meant.
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