Page 32 of Saving Destiny

A protective surge rises inside me with the formidable force of a tsunami, and I vow that no other vampire will ever taste her. She is mine for all of eternity, and I am hers. She has snared me – body, mind, and soul.

Chapter 19

Zosia

From the moment the beautiful, gentle vampire takes my hand, my body lights up with desire while my nerves fray with anticipation and concern. I’ve felt unsatisfied for days now, and yesterday’s struggles enhanced the emotions I’ve worked on suppressing. Last night had been anti-climactic because I couldn't follow-up my confession of love with a touch or a kiss. Although I’d woken up next to Kodi's solid form, the brief touch hadn't decreased my body's frustration.

Avery’s calm explanation soothes my lingering nervousness, but it's difficult to sit still while a gorgeous predator prepares to sink his teeth into my flesh. Since I'm unaccustomed to vampires, it seems more likely that he’s just going to kiss me. The suggestive stroke of his tongue across my skin supports my imagined scenario. My lips press together to prevent a moan from escaping as a pleasant tingle spreads over my wrist and travels up my arm. The sensation isn’t inherently sexual, but Avery’s intense concentration, rapid heartbeat, and shuddering breath increase the sensuality.

I’d worried that either disgust or fear would overcome me if Avery didn’t use his magic to stoke my desire or offer pleasure. Neither is present as his sharp fangs pierce my skin and there’s no pain. I watch him do it; I don't turn away when medical professionals draw my blood either. Kodi thinks I'm crazy, but I've been hurt by others. Observing people for any indication that they have ulterior motives offers me the illusion of control.

The vampire’s precision is awe-inspiring, though, and less clinical than any medical worker’s. I’ve never understood how a supernatural’s canines could perfectly puncture an artery without causing substantial damage or a bloody mess. Avery’s demonstration answers all of my curious inquiries. He identifies and targets my radial artery without difficulty. His lips suction tightly to my flesh, preventing a single drop from spilling.

After he’s inserted his fangs, his crimson-tinged silver gaze lifts to mine. I wonder what he’s seeing because his gaze is astonishingly direct. My pulse pounds and heat spreads through me like wildfire. After the initial pull, my thoughts scatter, and I swear he’s sucking on my clit or a nipple and not my wrist. My core throbs with need, and my thighs clench together in response, inadvertently trapping Avery’s muscular thigh between mine. My pleasure is so overwhelming that I don't even care that he's so close to my legs. It's freeing to know that he can't really see me, so I allow my body to respond naturally. My eyes close as my head falls back and pleasure rolls through me.

I start to squirm, but Avery holds me tightly without trapping me as a bead of sweat trails between my breasts and a strange sound escapes my parted lips.

I've never had sex. The majority of teenage boys are jerks and Kodi can't touch me. I know I'm not the only nineteen-year-old virgin on the planet, but it feels like it sometimes. According to my research, first-time encounters are typically fumbling and awkward outside of romance novels. In fiction, the starring couple usually manages to achieve utter bliss even if they’re both inexperienced. Avery is probably experienced, but I didn't think he could unravel me without touching me.

It feels like only a few seconds have passed before the waves of pleasure start to culminate in an orgasm. Climaxing at the dinner table is probably frowned upon, but I don’t want to stop it. I’m not sure I can.

An argument occurs in the small part of my brain that still manages to work. As sexual encounters go, this one is fairly risk-free, I tell myself. Yes, he could drain me of my blood, but I trust him. At least I don’t have to reveal my naked body and the insecurities surrounding my injuries. We also don’t have to worry about birth-control or disease. Avery is sweet and undemanding, and he signed his life into my care.

Why shouldn't I enjoy this? It feels a little selfish, but the vampire is getting my blood in return. Although I sense his desire and clearly see the visible evidence of it, he does only what he promised. His eyes are closed now, and the way he cradles my arm suggests his enjoyment might be equal to mine.

All of my thoughts disappear as his fingertips lightly stroke the inner skin of my forearm. I moan with desperate need – a sound I don't even recognize as my own – and a light haze falls over my brain. It's a warning he might be taking too much, but I don’t care. I don’t want him to stop ... not yet.

Finally relinquishing control, I release my tight grip on his shoulder and spread my legs. The thin layers of fabric can't conceal the heat and embarrassing wetness of my desire, and the simple press of my fingertips against my throbbing clit is all I need to fall apart.

My body shudders as the orgasm crashes through me, and the involuntary noises I make echo in my ears. I come right there, in a chair at the table where we eat, while a vampire feasts on my blood. Avery is not just any vampire, though. He knows and respects me. He knows the pain of being judged the second people see him, and he finds solace in books and stories. He and I are more alike than I would have ever guessed, and I trust him with my life.

I barely register it when Avery removes his mouth and swipes his tongue across the puncture wounds to seal them. The aftershocks of my climax still pulse through me, my limbs tremble, and my breath pants raggedly as I attempt to regain rational thought. My cheeks are hot, but it's not from embarrassment this time.

When I open my eyes, the vampire's dazed expression holds an echo of ecstasy, but there's also a darker emotion I can't identify. While my brain debates which one to focus on, my mouth decides its usual course of action is appropriate – blurting whatever it wants without my permission.

“You added desire, right?” My voice sounds breathy and dry.

“No,mon trésor. I told you I wouldn’t, and I remained true to my word. Sometimes this happens.”

The thought of him doing the same thing with another woman makes me almost murderous. I shove the thoughts away with difficulty. “That was embarrassing,” I babble. “I just came hard because you sucked on my wrist. I knew I was horny, but isn't that taking it a bit far?" Some days, I wished that my captors had stolen my voice instead of my ability to walk. My lack of a filter is painful for everyone.

“It was the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced," Avery says. His tone is honest and expresses a touch of something strange. It feels like worshipfulness. “Your energy is golden like sunlight, but a rainbow of colors exploded from you when you reached your peak.”

“Ugh,” I moan with exaggerated disgust. “That sounds really cheesy. I think I saw a cartoon or anime like that. An adult cartoon," I add quickly, but I don't think it makes it any more acceptable. Now, he probably thinks I enjoy watching animated porn.

Avery chuckles. “It wasn't the least bit cheesy, Zosia. Like I said, it was beautiful. You have honored me, and it's considered the ultimate compliment when the one being fed upon reaches climax without pleasure magic. The elders believe it only happens when the vampire and their partner share a deep connection.”

Traitorous thoughts enter my mind again, and my mouth runs with them. “Have you ever? Has that ever happened before?”

“I have never been given this gift before. I must add, however, that my previous partners typically requested pleasure magic in exchange for blood.”

I forcibly halt my train of thought before the green-eyed monster demands more detailed answers. “What about you, Avery? Are you … um ... satisfied?”

The vampire's impossibly pale skin is flushed with a rosy color I've not seen before, and I realize that he might have been hungry since we first met. I make a mental note to remember that an ashen complexion means he needs blood. The dark circles under his eyes have faded, and his eyes and hair seem to shine more than usual. However, my eyes might be playing tricks on me. Everything appears brighter and more beautiful after a mind-blowing orgasm.

Avery's sightless eyes seem to capture mine again, and his voice simmers with intensity. “I might never get enough of you, Zosia Abram, but my hunger has been appeased. Truthfully, the taste of you is impossibly remarkable. I feared I wouldn't be able to stop. I promised I wouldn’t overstep my bounds, but I struggled to control the desire to taste you everywhere. Perhaps if we'd been in a more intimate setting ...." His words trail away, but my body heats with renewed pleasure at his honesty. I might not have believed him if it weren't for the library's truth magic.

“Is that a threat or a promise?” I reply without thinking, but the words ring with false courage. The exchange still feels unfair because I climaxed and he didn’t, but I’m not confident in my readiness to reciprocate. I’ve heard that sex complicates matters, but this seemed equally intimate.

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