Page 69 of Only Human in Strangeville

Katsuro nodded. “Of course.”

“I really appreciate what you did, keeping me safe and then rescuing me after.”

The muscles in the vampire’s jaw twitched before he nodded sharply. “You’re quite welcome. I want to keep you safe.” This softened his gaze momentarily before it went distant.

I took a few steps forward, and Katsuro’s gaze shifted to my neck before he jerked his head.

“I want you to be safe,” he repeated. “You should leave.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

Katsuro licked his lips and rose to his feet, movements so fluid they were inhuman. I didn’t back up when he stalked toward me.

“Won’t I?”

“No.”

“I almost killed you, Hannah,” he growled. “If Jaz hadn’t been there to revive you, I would have had to turn you to bring you back.” He turned abruptly and was across the room before I could blink.

“Don’t you think I might have considered that? I don’t know a lot about vampires, but I know some of the lore. I don’t want to be turned, but I had to get Nimbus free, and you, and Jaz. Yes, I took a chance, but it worked, didn’t it?”

His shoulders hunched and he kept his back to me. I went across the room and put my hand on his shoulder.

He moved so fast I didn’t even comprehend what was going on until he’d shoved me up against the wall. His breath tickled my neck. He bunched my shirt in his fist and trapped me with his body. There was nowhere for me to go, and a large part of me was extraordinarily happy to be pressed between the wall and Katsuro. I might have been more embarrassed at the thready gasp that escaped my lips and the heat that built between my thighs, but the entire house had likely heard me having sex with Oliver, and it was a little late for modesty at this point.

Katsuro inhaled, likely taking in my scent.

“You can’t possibly understand how I felt when I came to my senses with you in my arms, your life fading away, knowing I had caused this. And now, after having had so much of it, your blood calls to me and it’s all I can think about. That, and how terrified I am that I will hurt you.” His lips brushed my skin as he spoke.

“So, take my blood,” I replied, voice a little breathy, heart racing. I wasn’t afraid. Well, maybe a tiny bit afraid. But after everything that had happened if it ended like this, at least I would enjoy myself.

“You have no—”

“Stop,” I snapped. “Just do it or get over it. I’ve been running for my life for a couple of years now. I stopped a human trafficking ring by spying on them from the inside. I was terrified for over a year. I had to go on blood pressure meds for six months and anti-anxiety drugs and all sorts of things just to get back to an equilibrium. I saw people killed. I just had to fight for my life again. If you want my blood, take it. If you want to be an angsty ball of mess, I know a good psychiatrist. She’s amazing and will help you with all sorts of coping mechanisms. If there’s something I desperately need to know, then tell me.” They had told me I could tell him he was being an ass.

“Hannah,” he murmured. “It’s a terrible idea.”

“So is wanting my blood so badly it’s all you can think about, and then not taking it when its offered. Bite me, Katsuro. Take my blood and take me to bed, or don’t but then don’t say I didn’t offer.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

He still held me against the wall, his lips pressed against my skin. I was practically shaking with need, despite being thoroughly ravaged by Oliver earlier.

“So don’t.”

He still hesitated, so I shifted my weight to one foot and lifted the other, hooking my leg around his and pulling him even more tightly against me. Oh, he was definitely interested. I put my other arm around his waist and dug my fingers into his side.

That did it. I felt him tense before he gently bit my neck, not breaking my skin but letting me know his fangs were fully extended.

I moaned, now thoroughly soaked between my legs again and desperately wanting to be filled and taken by this vampire.

“Spitfire,” he murmured. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He shifted, bringing his lips to mine, kissing me, requesting entry. I opened for him, our tongues exploring. I ran mine over his teeth, feeling the sharp points of his fangs, enjoying the give and take as our lips melded and he crushed me against him.

Katsuro gripped my ass and lifted me so I could wrap my legs around his waist, one hand sliding up under my borrowed shirt.

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