Page 27 of Make Me Bleed

His lips curve, a lazy, satisfied grin. “I’m glad,” he murmurs before he does the last thing I ever expected.

Hank grabs me by the waist. His heat sears me to my bones as he lifts me up easily. Next thing I know, he’s plopped his bigbulk down on the rock, facing the woods. He handles me without any trouble, maneuvering me until I’m sitting on his lip.

His erection nestles against the cleft of my ass. It’s hard and thick andhot, and all I can think now is how wonderful it would be to be a shifter who can change shapes, explode off their clothes with the force of the shift, then come back as a naked human to sink down on top of his cock.

I’m a vampire. With my speed, I can undress nearly as quickly, and my body begs me, too—but that’s not all it wants.

And pleasure’s not all my mate will provide me, either.

In this position, held securely on Hank’s lap, my mouth is right next to his throat. I notice that at the same time he picks up on my obvious arousal. The big bear groans, nostrils flaring as he catches the scent of my wet pussy wafting toward him. Me? I’m inches away from the throbbing vein pulsing in his neck and, suddenly, I’mstarving.

“Do it,” he rasps. “Before my bear rages at me again to make you mine before you’re ready… do it.”

Do it…

“You mean, bite you?”

Closing his eyes, he jerks his head. “You need blood. Take it from me.”

He’s the only one Icantake it from. The moment I tasted his blood, anyone else’s was ruined for me.

But I can’t tolerate a one-sided mating. With Hank providing everything, and me taking and taking and taking…

I don’t want to reject him. It’s not his fault I’m screwed-up. But to drink him, then see him walk away again… maybe it’ll be better to just enjoy this moment where he’s holding me?—

He shudders out a breath, eyes opening again. “Is it me, Lise? You don’t want to drink from me?”

“What?” I lift my hand, cupping the edge of his jaw. “No, Hank.No. I just… I don’t want you to think that’s all I want from you.”

“Does it matter if it is? You’re my mate. However I can provide for you, I will. You just have to let me.”

I don’t know how to respond to that, or to the way he’s leaning his stubbled cheek against the palm of my hand as if seeking my touch.

“‘Cause you are my mate, ain’t ya? If you’re not, tell me now, ‘cause I don’t know how much longer I can hold on to the hope that you’ll accept me. But if I am… a shifter gives his mate everything she needs. You need blood. I need to be the one you take it from.”

Oh, Hank. All along, I’ve struggled to believe that this could be happening. That he could really be my mate. I knew it had to hard on a male shifter existing with an unfulfilled bond, but the pain in his voice… it’s not because of the bond.

It’s because he doesn’t believe that I could ever wanthimas my mate.

To accept him… all I have to do is let him feed me, and he’ll know I consider him mine. It woun’t be a true claiming until he bites me and we fuck, but at least this way… I’ve given him hope, and bought myself some time to get my head on straight.

He wants me to bite him?

I stroke his cheek, trailing my fingers down his throat, smile as he groans beneath my touch—and then I sink my fangs into his neck.

For a moment, he goes still. Then, as his delectable blood fills my mouth and I swallow it in greedy gulps, a low, satisfied growl builds in his chest.

I drink deeply, enjoying the way the warmth spreads throughout my body. It’s not just because of his blood, either.It’s this renewed connection between us, and the undeniable sense that this…us… was meant to be.

His scent grounds me. At the same time, I ground my ass against him, grinding against his erection through his jeans. Blood and sex have always gone hand and hand for me, and only knowing that I could finalize our bondtonighthas me grateful that we’re both fully dressed.

He’s my mate. I know it. So does he. But until we can discuss what it means for both of us… this is as far as we can go, and I think we both know it.

When I finally withdraw my fangs from his neck, I dab the points of them with my tongue, savoring every last taste of him.

His eyes are heavy-lidded, a sure sign he got as much pleasure from the act of my drinking—and, well, me riding him like I did—as I did. Then, proving a big male can move quickly, too, he drops his head, pressing his warm lips to my throat.

It’s just a kiss. A simple kiss.

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