Page 82 of Forged in Blood

Xavier’s animalistic growl takes even me by surprise. “No one else is biting you, Cupcake. Ever. Do I make myself clear?”

“I never said I wanted that,” she says with a sigh. “I was just making a point.”

How do I even begin to explain? “Technically it’s true that any vampire who bites you would be bonded to you, yes. But this is… different.”

She blinks. “How?”

Malachi kisses her temple. “We knew what biting you would mean, sweet girl, and Xavier and I bit you with full knowledge that it would bond us all for life. We chose you.”

“But you didn’t, Axl.” Her eyes are fixed on mine. “You didn’t know what would happen. You tasted my blood by accident.”

I run a hand over my face and close my eyes, unable to find the words to tell her how I feel. That’s why I climb over the table and wedge myself in the booth between her and the wall. I need to show her. Once I have her on my lap, I claim her lips in a bruising kiss, not giving her a chance to protest. Into this one kiss, I pour all my longing, my desire to protect her, the way my heart beats faster every time I see her, and the constant aching need to be near her. And she melts into me, letting me take everything she has as I try to give her all that I am.

I pull back, leaving us both wanting more, and stare into her bright-blue eyes. “I wanted you from the moment you walked into that alley, Pyro. I might have been unaware of what tasting your blood would do to me, but I know my own mind. I would do it again in every single lifetime I have just to be with you. You are it for us, princess. There will never be anyone else besides you. Now tell me you believe that.”

She nods, her bottom lip clamped between her teeth, but I already know she believes me. I feel it in her.

Malachi brushes his fingertips over her cheek. “And would you choose us if you had the chance again, sweet girl?”

She smiles. “Every second of every day.”

I bury my face in her neck and inhale her intoxicating scent. “Get the check, Xavier. We’re leaving.”

Chapter

Forty-Five

OPHELIA

Isit up, pulling the quilt up over myself, which I realize is futile as soon as I do it because Xavier simply tugs it down again. “What have I told you about covering up this beautiful body, Cupcake,” he says with a warning growl.

But it’s not beautiful, I answer in my head, wincing as I do.

He arches an eyebrow at me.You’re about to be spanked for that.

Before I can protest, he flips me over and smacks my ass. “Ouch,” I cry, even as warmth spreads across my skin and a familiar ache pulses between my thighs.

Malachi jumps onto the bed, landing beside me, his skin damp from his shower. He cups my chin in his hand. “Naughty girl,” he says with a grin.

“I didn’t do anything,” I whisper.

He makes a tutting sound. “I just fucking heard you.”

Xavier spanks me again, and I bite down on my lip to stifle a groan. “I thought you couldn’t hurt me.”

“Am I hurting you, Cupcake?” He brings the palm of his hand cracking down on my ass once more.

I groan out loud this time.

“Thought not,” he says with a wicked laugh and gives me one more sharp slap. Then he flips me back over and climbs between my thighs.

“So this reading minds thing? Are you guys going to be in my head all the time?”

Malachi props himself up on one elbow. “Are you in ours all the time?”

I scrunch my eyes closed and concentrate. I can’t hear them. “I don’t know.”

Xavier trails kisses over my neck and collarbone, distracting me. “It isn’t really mind reading. More like talking without talking.”

---