Page 121 of Burn for Her

“That’s what a mate does, Lena. We’d die to give the other life.” He pressed his forehead to hers and threaded his fingers through her thickened hair. “I will always do this. It won’t be the last time you need so much, and it’s my honor to give you all I have.”

“I could kill you.”

“I know.” He flashed her an adoringly warm smile and kissed her again. “But you won’t.” Even if she did, he’d die happy knowing it was to strengthen her. To save her. “You’ll learn limits. Control. When to let go. When to feed.”

He’d learned those limits himself once he matured into a full-powered vampire. If he could do it, Dorian knew Lena would have no problem. Right now, it was all too new for her. The hunger would likely ride her hard for a little while. That was okay. He just needed to remember to guide her through it better next time, for both their sakes. The last thing he wanted was to remain weakened while she was new. It was a vulnerable time for both of them.

And predators loved defenseless prey.

They took another shower before Dorian stripped Lena’s bed. “Just burn the sheets,” she chirped, bringing over a fresh set. “I don’t think any amount of bleach is going to get all that blood out.”

Dorian agreed and tossed them into a pile. He couldn’t keep his eyes off his mate. She was so spectacular. Lena even looked seductive while she tucked in the fitted sheet and started making her side of the bed.

Her side.

His heart swelled at the thought of sharing not just a bed, but the rest of his life with her. To think he’d almost lost this. Had wanted to give it up. Dorian had a feeling death without Lena would be even worse than life without her had been.

Her tits jiggled under her tank top. The muscles in her shoulders were toned and taut.

“You keep staring.” She put her hands on her hips. “Is… am I…”

Her cheeks reddened. It was endearing how she had insecurities that made her blush. There was nothing for her to be insecure about—not that she’d ever believe him.

“I didn’t think it was possible for you to be more stunning than you were the first night I saw you,” he said.

Now her cheeks got redder. He ate that up, too.

“I’m glad I don’t disappoint.”

Dorian tensed. Disappoint? Like that was even possible? “Never,” he growled. Prowling around to her side of the bed, he got all in her space and nipped her neck. She sighed and leaned into him, already playing with the waistline of his pants.

“Is it always going to be this way?”

“Define it.” His hands sailed down her back to grab her ass while he kept nibbling on her neck.

“This,” she groaned. “I feel like I can’t get enough of you. Your scent. Your touch. Your taste.”

“Yes.” he smiled against her collarbone. “And I’m going to fully admit that I’m excited to be obsessed with you for the rest of my days. And just as thrilled you’ll be the same way about me.”

He never thought he’d have someone like Lena in his life. Never thought he was worthy enough to have a gift like her.

Dorian’s cell went off, the specific ringtone was set only for one person. “I have to get that.”

Lena backed away and Dorian rummaged through the pile of clothes they’d yet to pick up from the floor. Where the hell was his damn cell? He snagged it from under her bra and hit accept, “Emerick.”

“We couldn’t find the vampire,” the Lycan said. “Whoever this is, they’re excellent at covering their tracks.”

There was something to Emerick’s tone that made Dorian suspect there was something he was holding back. “What else did you find?” His hand squeezed his cell tighter. “Was anyone else hurt?”

Emerick was quiet for a minute. “No. No one was hurt.”

“Then what?” Dorian’s voice deepened. “Just tell me.”

“We found a cleaver.”

Those four words slammed down on Dorian’s gut like an anchor hitting the bottom of the ocean. His voice dropped to a dangerous level. “Where?”

“Embedded in a tree on the south side of the property. It was covered in wolf’s blood.”

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