Page 47 of Blood Bound

I stare at him for a second, my chest heaving. And then I see it: the sharp points of his fangs protruding over his bottom lip.

Damn him!

I push him away abruptly, my heart pounding. The realization hits me like a bucket of ice water.

God, I’m such an idiot!

“I know what this is,” I say, my voice trembling with anger. “It’s just the blood match.” When his eyes flicker, I know he can’t deny it, and I forge on. “I’m not a fool – I found out exactly why you’ve been hanging around me. Because my blood makes you stronger. That’s all I am to you – a convenient food source.”

Darick’s eyes flicker. “No, Rowan, it’s more than that. I—”

“You what?” I cut him off. “Care about me? Have feelings for me?” I laugh bitterly. “Please. I know vampires can’t be trusted. And you’ve done nothing to prove otherwise.”

He reaches for me, but I step back. “Rowan, please listen—”

“No, you listen,” I snap. “I don’t need your protection. I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself. And as for Mia? You barely have any real information about her. You’re just using this to get me to let you feed again.”

Darick’s face falls, and for a moment, I almost believe the hurt in his eyes. But I steel myself against it. “I want you to leave,” I say firmly.

He doesn’t move. “Rowan, I’m trying to help you. To take care of you.”

I feel my magic rising, responding to my anger. The air around us sparks with energy. “Don’t make me blast you again, Darick. Besides, I know that if I withdraw my invitation, you have to go.”

He stares at me for a long moment, his jaw set. Finally, he nods. “I’ll go. But this isn’t over, Rowan. I won’t give up so easily.”

As he backs away, I feel a pang of…something. Regret? Longing? I push it down, reminding myself of all the reasons I can’t trust him. The misty dream haze that had surrounded us seems to close around him. When it dissipates, he’s gone, and I’m left alone with my swirling thoughts and the lingering taste of his kiss on my lips.

I sink onto the edge of my bed, dropping my head into my hands.

“God, Rowan,” I groan out loud. “Why do you have to be so weak?”

I can’t let him keep getting to me this way. I can’t!

Determined to push him out of my head, I crawl beneath the bedclothes and force my eyes shut. But I toss and turn for what feels like hours, sleep eluding me completely. Darick’s presence in my dream left me shaken, and his kiss… I groan, burying my face in my pillow. I can’t think about that right now.

As the first rays of sunlight filter through my curtains, I give up on sleep entirely.

Might as well start the day…

I drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom. The hot water of the shower cascades over me, and I close my eyes, trying to relax. But as my hands move over my skin, unwanted memories flood my mind. Darick’s cool touch tracing the curve of my hip, his lips trailing down my neck, the way his fingers tangled in my hair as he kissed me breathless.

“No, dammit!” I mutter, shaking my head violently. I can’t let myself get caught up in those memories. It isn’t real – it’s just the blood match playing tricks on me. I shut off the water abruptly, stepping out of the shower and wrapping myself in a towel.

As I’m getting dressed, I hear a knock at my door.

What now?

I freeze, one arm halfway through the sleeve of my favorite sweater. Who could that be? I’m not expecting anyone, and it’s way too early for casual visitors. My mind races through possibilities as I hurriedly pull the sweater over my head, smoothing down my unruly hair in the process. Another knock, more insistent this time.

“Just a second!” I call out. Frowning, I make my way to the front of the cottage.

Who could be here this early?

I open the door and find Heath standing there, his eyes filled with concern. I wait for the familiar flutter in my belly at the sight of him. It doesn’t come.

“Heath.” I blink in confusion. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”

“Your grandmother sent me,” he says, his deep voice laced with urgency.

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