Page 67 of Claiming the Dhampir

“Let’s go home,” I said, extending my hand to her.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and kissed the mark on my chest. My scales prevented me from feeling the warmth of her lips, but my mind remembered it well. My body didn’t hesitate to respond, especially when her dhampir whispered, “Let’s go home.”

Chapter 24

Lorna

Iignored the weird burning sensation from traveling between realms, instead focusing on Damon’s luscious chocolate scent. His strong arms held me tight against his chest, and his wings enveloped me. All I could see—or smell—was my demon.

After everything I’d just witnessed in the Underworld, I really needed something normal.

Nothing in your life is normal, Mir said while nipping Damon’s chest.

I laughed. She was the prime example of the chaos that was my life.

Shut up! I’m trying to see if I can bite through these damned scales.

You can’t, I said, still laughing at her. Damon already told us that our tiny fangs weren’t strong enough.

She huffed but also stopped trying to bite him.

I knew when we were back on Earth. The air felt like air again instead of the Underworld’s thick, heavy magic. At least its magic hadn’t killed me.

Damon’s hard scales turned to flesh, and the room came into view. Damon’s bedroom. I looked up, tracing the lines of his jaw with my eyes. His full lips curved into a smile, then he leaned down and kissed me. It was tender and sweet with a tiny edge of urgency.

I ran my hands up his back, following the muscles along his spine. His skin pebbled beneath my fingertips, and I grinned against his lips.

He ended our kiss with a smile of his own. “What’s that smirk about?”

“I love the way you respond to my touch,” I replied, kissing his jaw. “And I love that we’re alone right now. And oddly enough, I’m glad we went to the Underworld. There’s so much I still need to unpack from our visit, but I didn’t leave there feeling awful.”

“I agree. I was completely blindsided by the other dhampir.” Damon’s hands slid down my back and cupped my butt. My desire flared, like I wasn’t already struggling not to grind myself against him. “I’ll also need time to unpack the information overload. In the meantime…”

He pressed his lips against mine again, and I gave in to my lust. Damon was so tantalizing. His tongue danced with mine, promising all kinds of pleasure and reminding me of Nathan’s tongue. My mood immediately shifted to uncertainty.

Damon pulled away, nipping my bottom lip. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head. “That’s not true. I’m trying not to get hung up on having four guys ready and willing to make me… happy. I feel guilty every time I start comparing you all.” Damon’s eyebrows rose, and my face heated. I knew that look. “Exactly! You’re each unique, and I love that about you, but I can’t stop myself from thinking…”

“I would tell you to stop thinking about it, but I know that’s not possible for you,” he said. “But you do need to trust us to communicate our feelings and concerns. If we’re not complaining, you shouldn’t worry.”

I knew he was right. I really did, but it was hard to change a lifetime of thinking differently.

“I’ll do my best,” I promised. “I know it doesn’t help any of us for me to get hung up on this.”

He gave my butt a gentle squeeze, then let me go. “As much as I’d like to have you all to myself, I suspect the others will come bursting through my door at any moment.”

I sighed. It would be nice to have alone time with my demon.

Damon chuckled. “We’ll get them up to speed, then come up with a solution for you and Nathan.” I started to object, but Damon pressed a finger against my lips. “We can’t wait to get that sorted. It will create resentment, which will make it harder for all of us.”

“Fine,” I mumbled against his finger.

Damon’s bedroom door flew open, and Elliott rushed in. He stopped just inside the threshold with wide eyes.

“You’re okay?” he asked.

“Yep!”

---