Page 58 of Fated In Blood

Not literally, of course.

But damn, just thinking about Blake’s tongue sliding up through me…My fingers followed that exact same route, but it wasn’t the same. I missed his heated breath, those fingers dimpling my thighs, holding me still.

And Riordan…fuck, there was something about his blood that was addicting. I brushed my thumb across my clit and pressure built, coiling heat burning through my core.

They were more than I’d bargained for, but just thinking about having them beneath me…I plunged in two fingers, and again, this was nothing like the real thing, nothing like Blake’s…

I shoved that thought away, and this time kept both those annoying males out of my fantasy, my fingers moving faster until water lapped over the rim of the tub. I’d been edged all yesterday and last night, and I was as taut as a plucked wire.

My orgasm built and built, my thumb stroking faster and faster, my head braced against the edge of the tub, my body arching, thighs straining against the coiling tightness until the crushing strain finally broke, a wave of pleasure rippling through me like an exploding star.

I rode out every bone-melting spasm until my body was lax, until every cell felt like melted butter. Steam rolled off the surface of the water, and I was so boneless, I slid down beneath that misty haze.

Masturbation was like some cheap knockoff of the real thing.

But it would have to do.

A shiver of cold swept through the room, a shadow of darkness lifting away the curls of steam, raising goosebumpsover my wet shoulders. My gaze darted around the bathroom, searching every corner, every crevice before my body relaxed. I sank back into the water.

Just my overactive senses going haywire.

And my senses were certainly overactive these days.

I could smell a hint of limestone and iron in the water, recognized the laundry detergent they used on those towels stacked over in the corner—probably a decade ago—and even in here, heard the leaves brushing against one another outside my window.

I got out and toweled off, wincing with every stroke of the rough fabric over my poor skin.

This was like a second-day sunburn and wearing a scratchy shirt with a big tag in the back. Everything bothered me. The smells, the sounds, anything that dared touch me hurt. I was no use to anyone like this, and if I was ever going to get Angel away from Tyrell, I’d better learn to master my own goddamned weaknesses.

Since I was a glass half full kind of gal, I resigned myself to wasting a week in this hideous place. I’d get strong and fast and learn everything I could about my new reality. Improved strength and speed would give me an edge and, combined with my training, make me even deadlier.

And I needed to be deadly.

To survive Tyrell, then to survive what came after.

Angel was a vampire, too, so we’d have to find somewhere to settle down, maybe in the Pacific Northwest, maybe somewhere even more remote. Because even if I got through this wholelet’s kill the most powerful Ancient, our family would hunt us to the ends of the earth, just for the privilege of driving a stake in our hearts.

There was a special place on the trophy wall for traitors, and I needed to make goddamned sure neither my sister nor I ended up there.

And the only way to do that was to make sure they never found us.

Watchingthe sun rise above the trees and gilding the branches gold and pink, my improved vision picked out colors I’d never noticed before. I sat cross-legged on the bed, dressed in the holier-than-thou shirt, running through my breathing exercises. Life was about control.

About mind over matter.

About willpower.

My hunger existed, but it was a kernel in my center, detached from the rest of me. Something to acknowledge and manage, but not turn me into a rabid beast. Another breath, another reminder of how much I had to gain right now.

Speed. Strength. Knowledge.

Riordan had the decency to knock, but only a second before he stepped into the room, so not actually enough time to get dressed or throw on a robe.C for effort. I stayed right where I was, counting my breaths while he watched, head tilting slightly to the side.

“Are you hungry?”

“I am, in fact.”

He headed my way, and I held up a hand before he took another step. “Over there, by the fireplace.” I unfolded my legs and hopped off the bed, managing to stay upright, which was a definite improvement over last time.

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