Page 40 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

She laughed softly, the sound doing funny things to my supposedly dead heart. I leaned in, my lips barely brushing against hers. “Now, how about we make the most of our luck?”

“My pleasure,” I said as kissed her again.

As we lost ourselves in each other again, a nagging voice in the back of my mind kept whispering that this was more than just pleasure. It was dangerous, exhilarating, and terrifyingly real.

Later, as we lay tangled together, spent and satisfied, reality came crashing back like the waves rolling up on the beach. I stroked her hair, my mind racing. Here I was, holding my mate—god, that word felt foreign—while plotting to betray her family.

I had to steal two magical objects from Angelo Santi, her brother, the vampire mafia king. All to keep her and my brother safe. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.

What would she do when she learned what I had done? Would those beautiful green eyes look at me with hatred? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

But it wasn’t the first time I was labeled a traitor.

“Hey,” I said softly, masking my turmoil with a smirk, “don’t go falling in love with me now. I’m nothing but trouble, remember?”

But even as I said it, I knew it was too late. For both of us.

She ran her fingers through my hair. “We need to get back to the party before they come looking for us.”

I sighed. “I guess I did promise you that, didn’t I?”

She scraped her fangs over my neck. “Yes, you did.”

I wanted her to feed on me as much as I wanted to taste her, but there wasn’t time to explore that pleasure.

We untangled ourselves and, using our vampire speed, got dressed. The cool night air raised goosebumps on my skin, a stark contrast to the heat we’d just shared.

I clasped her hand, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers as I led her back to the bar.

The minute we entered, the cacophony of voices and clinking glasses assaulted my heightened senses. Dear old dad rushed over toward me like a charging bull, his face a mask of fury.

My muscles tensed instinctively, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

I glanced over at Gianna. She had sand in her tousled hair and clinging to her dress. Her lips were swollen from my kisses, a sight that sent a jolt of possessive pride through me.

Before I could react, Petar shoved me so hard I slammed into the wall, the impact knocking the air from my lungs. Well, hello to you too, buddy.

“Where the hell have you been?” he snarled, his breathhot on my face and reeking of expensive bourbon. “What did you do to the princess? I’m her bodyguard. Her brother chose me. Not you.”

I smirked, despite the dull ache spreading across my back. “Aw, feeling left out, Petar? Don’t worry, I’m sure there’s a princess out there for you too. Maybe in a fairytale book?”

Augustus, Valentin, and some other guys headed over toward us. The disapproval landed on me as usual. What else was new?

Augustus narrowed his eyes. “Hey, stop.”

“Petar, no,” Gianna clasped his arm. “Leave him alone.” She pulled her lips, revealing sharp fangs. “You don’t have any right to tell me what to do.”

That’s my girl. Feisty and fabulous.

He grabbed her arm. “I do too. Your brother doesn’t want him around you. He told?—”

Anger surged through me at his hypocritical words. He didn’t give a shit about Gianna. I felt my own fangs elongate, a growl building in my chest.

“You know,” I drawled, my voice dangerously low, “I was going to let you finish that sentence. But then you put your hands on her.”

I swung my fist, plowing it into his face. He fell on his ass, knocking into people dancing. Oops, did I do that?

“Don’t ever touch her,” I snarled, standing over him. “She’s not yours to protect. She’s mine.”

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