Page 15 of Eternally Yours

I sighed, unfolding my arms. “You didn’t have to do that to prove your point.”

“I wanted you to understand that your safety means everything to me right now.” As he walked away, he stopped at the threshold to the bedroom door. “Rest. We leave at dusk.”

“Excuse me?”

“I told you. It’s not safe for you to be here. You can’t be around humans.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “So now you’re just going to whisk me away to god knows where?”

“Someplace I can teach you how to hunt.” His lips lifted in a smirk that sent my pulse skittering. "Don’t worry. I hear it’s beautiful up there. Think of it as a much-needed vacation from your long hours at the hospital." He winked before leaving and closing the door.

I plopped my ass on the edge of the bed. What the fuck was I supposed to do now? Just lay on his monstrous sized mattress and wait until he returned to collect me? I looked over at the big fluffy pillows by the headboard and couldn’t help imagining him lying there. God, how many women had laid there with him? I wondered if he was into human females or only vampires?

I mentally slapped myself. I should’ve been devising a plan to escape not imagining his outrageous body naked on his bed as he fucked other women.

Whoa. I had to stop myself right there or my mind would plummet down the wrong rabbit hole. Pushing myself off the mattress, I wrapped the velvet robe tighter around myself and paced instead, trying to figure out how best to sneak out of a vampire’s apartment. But the minutes dragged by and nothing came to mind other than climbing out his window.

And then what?

I had no clothes or shoes. Plus, I had no idea how high up I was. Or even where we were in the city, if we were even still in Manhattan. Not to mention that listening to the sounds of him rifling through the kitchen didn't help. Couldn't he at least stop making such a ruckus! I was too aware of his presence and kept fighting with my need to leave and my need to go after him.

Then out of nowhere, I smelled blood and my stomach knotted, making the decision for me. I was so ravenous I couldn't think straight. Before I realized it, I was walking out of the room to find him.

Not knowing my way around, I padded barefoot across the hardwood floors, my nose tracking the smell of blood. The hallway outside his room led to an open-floor-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen. Much like his bedroom, the rest of his apartment was decorated in dark colors, his furniture modern with a slight traditional flare. Red velvety curtains blocked out the morning sun. Lanterns flickered throughout the space, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Nic stood behind the kitchen counter and his lips curled into an elvish grin as his eyes met mine. “Took you long enough.”

“I was… hungry,” I said matter-of-factly.

Nicholas lifted his chin and motioned for me to join him. “Lucky for you, I have dinner,” he said, holding up what appeared to be a blood bag from the hospital. The instant my eyes locked onto the bag, my feet moved me across the room at incalculable speed. I stumbled as I knocked right into his chest.

“Whoa, careful there,” he said, his eyes twinkling with dark amusement. “You’re going to need some practice with that.”

He was incredibly strong but gentle as he eased me back onto my feet. My gaze fell to the bag in his hand. Nausea and hunger clashed inside me. “I really don't want to drink that,” I said, feeling my face scrunch in disgust. Yet, my mouth seemed to have a mind of its own, salivating despite my words.

How many times had I collected blood vials from patients? How many of them had I labeled, bagged, and tested? Too many to count. But not once had I ogled over a blood bag as food.

“Can’t I have something else?” I asked. “Like a steak? I’ve always liked mine medium-rare.”

He huffed out a short laugh and the sound bounced inside my belly. Dammit. Why was he so charming?

Rolling my eyes, I asked, “Did I say something funny?”

His lips twitched. “Just enjoying your smart mouth.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

He placed the blood bag on the counter and leaned his back against the stainless steel, double-door fridge. “Vampires can eat anything, but unless it’s smothered in blood, it won’t satisfy you. Animal blood can sustain you, but your body will always crave the human variety.”

I recoiled at that comment. “Um, I’m a nurse. I’ve taken an oath never to harm anyone. I’ll learn to control this hunger-thingy. I’m not eating—drinking humans.”

He crossed his arms and keeping my eyes off his chorded forearms was borderline unfeasible. It was like I was tuned-in into every inch of his male body and every movement he made. My lady parts throbbed with approval. Damn. This wasn’t normal. It felt primal. Raw. How was it possible to be this horny?

“I’ve been around for five hundred years, Loren.” His voice cut my thoughts off. Thank goodness. “There’s no controlling the hunger. But you can control the means.”

I looked over to the plastic package sitting on the counter. “Blood bags? Is this what I’ve been reduced to?”

He approached, placing his hands on the countertop. “If I hadn’t sired you, you’d be dead.” Swallowing hard he added, “I know I took away your human life, but I’ve given you something far more valuable than you could’ve ever imagined. The gift of immortality.”

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