Page 2 of Claiming the Dhampir

Could he read my mind? I searched Damon’s face for any sign of

… of what? What would mind reading look like? I had no idea. I met his eyes and reached for the bond between us. I could feel him now that he was only a few steps away. Was there something else I was missing? Could I really use my magic for something other than killing?

A sense of pride drifted through my connection to Damon. He could read my mind! Or was I making assumptions?

Let’s do a little test, Mir suggested, projecting a vision of Damon’s naked body tied to the bed.

Oh, good idea!

I added to the vision, making it his demon. I hadn’t actually seen his demon naked, but I could imagine it. He was in his demon form now, standing at least eight feet tall. His broad chest was always bare, and I loved ogling his chiseled abs. The leather trousers covering his lower half nicely accentuated his muscled thighs and his firm ass. I’d never gotten to see his cock, though.

In his human form, it was enormous. The three ridges along the base were my favorite part. Was there anything different about it in his demon form? Did it get bigger? I shifted my stance, becoming more than a little bit turned on imagining him tied to my bed. He’d be completely under my mercy.

Damon growled and closed the space between us with two easy strides. The snap of his wings blew my hair back, and I grinned. The outline of his arousal proved it was bigger in his demon form. Did it have more ridges? Would he let me find out?

“Lorna!” Damon grumbled. “Do not tempt my demon.”

I tore my gaze from the bulge in his pants and looked up at him. Fire burned in his eyes—actual fire—and my smile faltered. It was easy to forget he was a demon. I know, I know. How could I forget when he was standing in front of me with horns, wings, and a tail? But he was so reserved, calm, and compassionate. I always saw that side of him first, no matter what form he was in.

Squeezing his eyes shut, Damon dropped to one knee in front of me. A dark, cloudy fog surrounded his body, taking away the demon and leaving the man behind. I didn’t hide my disappointment.

“You can never be intimate with my demon,” he whispered. “He knows none of those things that you see in me. You would not survive the encounter, and I would die a million deaths because of my guilt.”

And just like that I felt like a complete ass. There was so much I didn’t know about my guys. Instead of trusting Damon to have a good reason for keeping his demon from me, I’d been selfish and provoked him. While I’d proven he could read my mind, I’d also crossed a boundary that wasn’t mine to cross.

I reached out and cupped his jaw with one hand. “You’re mine,” I reminded him. “I would never force you to do anything you didn’t want to do, especially in the bedroom.”

I leaned forward and kissed him. He didn’t pull away, but he didn’t deepen the kiss either.

“I’m sorry, Damon,” I said. “I didn’t mean to tempt your demon, I was merely …”

“I know exactly what you did.” He rose to his feet, taking my hand in his rather than just letting it fall away. “I’m disappointed with your method, but I’m proud that you figured it out.”

Frowning, I looked over at Kenrid, who’d emerged from the trees at some point. He wasn’t smiling. He stared at Damon with an unreadable look.

“You’re glad I know that you can read my mind?” I asked.

“I can’t read your mind,” Damon said. “You projected your thoughts and images into my mind. Very successfully.”

Kenrid strolled up next to me but kept his attention on Damon. “She can project.”

Damon nodded and my frown deepened. I sort of understood what they were saying but not really.

“You mean I forced you to see … um.” I blushed furiously, not wanting to voice what I’d imagined.

Damon smiled. “Yes, you forced me to see my demon completely naked and tied to your bed.”

My cheeks burned. How could he do that to me? Kenrid laughed and Damon just continued to smile.

“I might let you play out that little fantasy—without my demon,” Damon said, bringing my fingers to his lips and kissing them. “But we’re getting distracted from your training.”

We’ll definitely take him up on that offer, Mir whispered.

Shut up!

Mir laughed, and I just shook my head.

“Okay, enough distractions,” I said, my voice squeaking. “Tell me about projecting. Can I do that with anyone or just you guys?”

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