Page 36 of Deadly Cravings

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We’d arrivedat their manor moments ago and I’d gone directly to the living room couch and sank into it. The cushion dipped as Asher settled next to me, tossing his arm around my shoulders, and my heart rate picked up with his careless touch. He didn’t know how it affected me, but if he kept it up, he would scent it.

I cleared my throat and focused on unsexy things like . . . crying children . . . outhouses . . .

If I got all this ‘bite-me-horniness’ out of my system, when I escaped, andI would escape, I could live the rest of my life with that desire satiated. Because I wanted it more than I’d wanted anything for myself in a long time. I must face my addiction. Fear, confusion, and lust started from the Pale One and I’d never wanted to face it . . .

“Vampires are arrogant, prideful creatures. At the core of it we like to play.” He twined my long, loose hair within his fingers. “When you’re at the lounge, don’t look at any above the neck. That’s an immediate way to draw attention to yourself. You’re not there to be curious, you’re there to serve.”

That was disgusting. Fear swelled and nausea soured my stomach. He said it so callously.

“Vampires can have varying personalities, but never forget we are instinctual and there is one thing we can’t live without—blood. A submissive personality is the best default.” He pinched my chin. “You’re a smart girl, use that intelligence and don’t say or do anything rash.” He flashed his distended fangs and my breath hitched. “Your pupils dilated.” His smile widened. “You’re not flinching at the sight of my fangs. When someone bites you, just let them get it over with.”

I licked my lips. At the beginning, I’d understood this was a probability, but I’d thought... after he...

“You’re okay with someone else biting me?” I thoughtlessly asked, eyeing him from under my lashes. He blinked slow, his golden eyelashes cresting at his cheekbones before meeting my gaze, almost as if he had to process my words.

“Why wouldn’t I be okay with another biting you?”

Red flashed in his iris but he closed his eyes and when he opened them again, it had disappeared.

Did he still go out and bite others?Irrational jealousy spiked through my veins.

I pushed that away.It wasn’t my business.Wasn’t like I was his girlfriend.Did vampires even do bite-monogamy? Bite-ogamy?Likely not since the end result was an addiction. These ‘blood-whore’ thoughts were getting on my nerves.

Stop. I didn’twantto be a vampire’s girlfriend. What the fuck was wrong with me and these ridiculous intrusions?

“What if they try to do more?” If biting and screwing went hand in hand every time with Asher, where would that leave me while I had no one I could hide behind?

“You mean fuck?”

I nodded hard, mostly to hide the blush on my cheeks. I felt so inept and inexperienced.

“If you’re feeling it, go for it.” He traced a shape into the arm of the sofa, keeping his gaze on me.

“Go with it?” My spine tensed.

“Bodies aren’t meant to be for only one person.” So not only was bite-ogamy not a thing, neither was monogamy. A possessive swell had lifted its head inside me, but there was nothing I could do about it.

“And if I’m not feeling it?” I struggled getting the words out.

He just stared at me.

“Oh.” I tried stifling the fact that my stomach soured. “Where will I go?”

“We’re sending you into one of Calliope’s private lounges. We want you to get as close to her as possible to see if she mentions Ren.”

“Why do you think she has him?” My question forced him to pause and he raked his gaze down my body and back up to my face.

“The only person Ren may give in and fuck after a decade is close to Calliope.”

“A decade?” I gasped. Jeez.

“You’re shocked atthat?” Asher scoffed. “The others three are worse.” Three, as in Jax, Bastien, and Tobias?

I cocked my head questioningly, but he didn’t elaborate.

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