Page 61 of Awakening the Dhampir

“Let’s get your room cleaned up,” Kenrid suggested, giving me a gentle squeeze. “We have other things to do tonight.”

I took half a step back, just far enough to see his face. He winked at me, and I couldn’t miss the desire in his eyes. Just like always, a surge of arousal ran straight to my core. I’d be annoyed by it if I weren’t so turned on. I never had this reaction to anyone except these men, which also lessened my annoyance. I couldn’t be the only one who liked being wanted.

“Exactly.” Damon’s warmth covered my back a second later, and his hands gripped my hips.

Memories of our last night together had me squirming between my fae and my demon.

“We also need to make sure we feed our favorite dhampir,” Damon said. “Let’s put all this away so we can make that happen.”

Yes! Mir cheered.

Who was I to deny three of my favorite people?

Chapter 23

Kenrid

It only took us twenty minutes to sort through all of Lorna’s purchases. She was bossy in her peculiar way, but it had an edge of urgency that I hadn’t seen before. I hoped it was her desire for intimacy and not just Damon’s blood.

After the last time we’d fed her, I couldn’t imagine not getting intimate. The exchange of bites between mates always involved sex. I’d consider Damon a god if he were able to let her feed and nothing more. I certainly wouldn’t be able to do it.

If Elliott told the truth, Damon had been abstinent for ages. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to go without sex. I also wasn’t sure I believed Elliott. If I’d gone that long without release, I never would’ve lasted as long as Damon had a few nights ago. He certainly hadn’t acted like he abstained.

“I think that’s everything,” Lorna said, emerging from her closet.

She gripped the hem of her shirt in both hands, almost like she was nervous. It was cute and a little disconcerting. I didn’t want her to feel nervous around me. I preferred the confident woman who knew exactly what she wanted.

“So.” Lorna paused for several seconds, twisting her fingers in the fabric of her shirt.

Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her thin shoulders seemed to sag with each of her breaths. Her exhaustion was obvious, and I felt guilty for not noticing it earlier. I should be getting her ready to sleep, not thinking about a night of sex.

I was about to intervene, but Damon grabbed her hand and pulled her to the bed, gently urging her to sit on the mattress. I went to the dresser and found a nightgown, a soft cotton blend that would hang to her knees. I didn’t need something sexy to tempt me if we were really just letting her sleep.

When I turned back around, Damon knelt in front of Lorna massaging her feet. Her nose wrinkled as she watched him. She glanced up at me as I approached, and a small furrow formed between her eyes.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

I laid the nightgown on the bed beside her, waiting for Damon to answer her question. When he didn’t reply, she huffed.

“Seriously guys. I don’t need to be pampered.” She wiggled her toes, and a soft sigh escaped her lips, completely contradicting her words.

“Obviously,” Damon mumbled. “I’m going to make some hot tea while you change.” When Damon stood, Lorna started to protest. “You’re exhausted, little d’laej. Let’s take care of your dhampir’s needs so you can get some sleep.”

I hid my surprise from Lorna, but I was truly shocked. The demon was going to let her bite him and then go to sleep. He had way more self-control than I could ever imagine.

I let my fingers trail down Lorna’s arm, then leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

We left the room but didn’t close the door. I could feel Lorna watching me as I walked away. I wanted to turn and see her expression, but I didn’t want to interfere with whatever plan Damon had going. He had to have one. I was beginning to see that everything he did was calculated.

I followed him into the kitchen and leaned on the island countertop while he washed his hands, then filled a kettle and set it on the stove.

“I hadn’t realized how tired she was until just now,” Damon whispered. “I don’t think she nor her dhampir have the energy to lose control tonight.”

“You don’t want me to stay?” I asked, a little surprised by his suggestion.

“I’m not sure it’s necessary,” he replied. “But I’m not asking you to leave. I know her dhampir has only fed from me once, but her caution around me is encouraging.” He frowned before taking two cups from the cabinet. “I don’t want her to feel like she has to pay for her meal with sex. I won’t deny her if she wants to get intimate, but I shouldn’t make it a stipulation, not even an implied one.”

My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. “I hadn’t even considered the implications,” I said. I should have, though. Here I was thinking with my dick instead of my brain. “Damn,” I muttered.

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