Page 40 of Awakening the Dhampir

He lifted his arm until it was mere inches from my lips. My fingers clamped around his, and I dragged my eyes from his face. My dhampir pushed forward, a little tentative but still anxious to taste her demon. I focused on the spot Damon pointed out, lowering my mouth to his arm. But I didn’t bite—more like my dhampir didn’t. She just let my tongue linger against his skin, tasting him.

The subtle hint of chocolate and mint tickled my taste buds. I inhaled deeply, catching more than just Damon’s scent. Kenrid’s summer rain floated in the air around us, circling like a comfortable blanket ready to wrap me up and keep me warm. Damon’s explanation of our connection flitted through my mind. I needed them both.

Yes, my dhampir agreed, then sunk her fangs into Damon’s arm.

A low moan of pleasure escaped me as soon as his blood coated my tongue. It was nothing like a vampire’s. He tasted sweet, like rich chocolate mousse sprinkled with mint. It had none of the heavy, dark chocolate of a vampire. It also held none of the vampire’s intoxicating magic. No surge of magical strength. No sense of uncontrolled need to have more. No unsatisfied longing.

It was just Damon, and I was suddenly starving.

But he was right. His skin healed within seconds. I whimpered, dragged my tongue up his arm toward his elbow, and bit again. The same deliciousness filled my mouth. This time I didn’t let it settle on my tongue. I sucked his arm and drew in several mouthfuls. It slid down my throat like a rich mint chocolate milkshake. I hummed my approval until my supply was cut off again.

I shifted my mouth to get more. Kenrid’s arms slid around my waist, and his chest pressed against my back, reminding me that Damon was a person, not a milkshake. I gently kissed Damon’s arm and reluctantly pulled it away from my needy mouth.

It’s enough for now, my dhampir whispered, but I could hear the painful hesitancy in her voice.

Tell me when you need more, I said. None of us know what you need to survive. Don’t wait until it’s impossible to stop or walk away.

You don’t have to worry about that, she quipped. I don’t see them leaving us alone anytime soon.

She was probably right on all accounts. I’d trust her to tell me what she needed. But I couldn’t stop the doubt now lingering in my mind about Damon and Kenrid’s opinion about what we’d just done.

I slowly lifted my eyes to Damon’s face. His gaze held a deep passion I hadn’t expected. No judgment. No disappointment. Only a fierce look of desire. His dark eyes traveled to my lips. I ran my tongue over them just to make sure I didn’t have any lingering blood. Nope.

But I had the sudden urge to kiss the man in front of me, despite having Kenrid’s body pressed against mine. Now that I thought about the fae, I felt the ridge of a very hard erection on my ass. My desire flared, and Kenrid’s cock pulsed. My knees almost gave out with the need surging through my body.

Damon growled and cupped my face with his large hands. I hadn’t realized I’d closed my eyes until his breath brushed my lips. He was giving me a moment to push him away. I wouldn’t, or maybe I couldn’t.

I closed the tiny space between his lips and mine. His kiss wasn’t tentative or soft. As soon as I gave him permission, his fingers slid around the back of my neck and pulled me in. His mouth tasted almost as good as his blood. I let his tongue glide over mine, and a small moan escaped me. Damon’s lips moved against mine, demanding everything from me. There was no way I would deny him.

My hands found Damon’s shoulders and slid around his back. I pulled him closer, and he didn’t resist. When only a few inches separated us, I realized Kenrid’s arms around my waist were the only thing between Damon and me.

My demon released me from his kiss, and I sucked in a deep breath, letting my hands glide over his smooth skin. Kenrid started to move away, and I immediately missed his warmth.

“Don’t move,” Damon demanded.

I hadn’t planned on going anywhere, but I quickly realized he wasn’t talking to me. His dark eyes were focused on the man behind me. They must have been having a silent conversation because a moment later, Kenrid’s hands slid down my waist and grabbed my hips. He pressed his erection against my ass once again, and my body rolled with pleasure at the feel of him.

A low rumble erupted from Damon. It didn’t sound like a growl but more of a frustrated moan. His hands made a burning trail down my sides, then disappeared beneath my shirt. A moment later, his palms cupped my breasts.

Oh shit! There are too many clothes.

Another spike of pleasure had me pushing my hips into Kenrid. He groaned and held me tight, his dick throbbing against me. The sexual tension building around us was so thick I could almost taste it.

“My need to claim you is overwhelming, little d’laej,” Damon whispered against my neck. “But I’m not the only one with a claim.”

“You have my consent,” Kenrid moaned. “As long as my claim is right after yours.”

Damon squeezed my aching nipples between his fingers, and I nearly combusted with need.

“Someone better do something before I die of sexual frustration,” I pleaded.

“I agree,” Kenrid said.

I would’ve laughed at our heavy breathing and needy bodies if I didn’t feel like someone had lit me on fire. Kenrid tucked his fingers beneath the waistband of my oversized sweatpants and tugged them off my hips, taking my boxers—his boxers—with them.

Another low rumble came from Damon’s chest, and his hands disappeared from under my shirt. I whined in protest until his pants disappeared. Just vanished, like they were made of magic and not fabric. My mind got lost on the size of his cock. Holy shit. Would that even fit inside me? I so wanted to find out.

I told you, my dhampir whispered.

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