Page 39 of Soren

Look at him, being so good, asking for permission a third time.

Gabe stiffened, his hands gripping Soren’s hips a little tighter. But he didn’t jerk away, instead using his grip on Soren to pull him even closer.

“Yes.” Gabe’s voice was barely audible over the music, but it was steady. “I want you to drink from me.”

Soren rubbed a soothing hand over Gabe’s hard chest. He didn’t scent any fear from his human, only desire built up from all that dancing.

Or maybe the idea of getting bitten turned Gabe on?

Soren grinned wider at the thought. It sure as hell turned Soren on. He’d been wanting to sink his fangs into this man since the first day he saw him. The little taste he’d gotten on the day Soren had healed him from Lucien’s attack hadn’t been nearly enough.

Gabe placed his own hand over Soren’s on his chest. “Will it hurt? Danny said it doesn’t usually hurt. Was—was he just saying that?”

So not fear, exactly, but his human was definitely nervous. Soren shook his head. “Maybe for an instant, but I promise you I’ll make you feel good. Very,verygood.”

Soren licked his lips, his gaze moving to Gabe’s neck. He knew he should feel more empathy for Gabe’s nerves, but the predator in him was focused on only one thing right now.

Soren wanted this—wantedhim—and he was beyond ready to take what he wanted.

“Close your eyes, Highness,” he purred.

Warmth bloomed in Soren’s chest when Gabe complied easily, dark lashes fluttering. Soren let his vamp come to the surface. If the corner weren’t so dark and hidden, the changes might be evident to those around them but not necessarily. Vampires were subtle monsters. Adapted for blending in with their prey. Soren knew his eyes were darkening, black taking over his pale irises and the whites beyond. He felt his fangs drop.

But that was it. Easy as pie.

He reached an arm up, placing a hand on the back of Gabe’s neck to bend him down to Soren’s level, rising onto his toes to meet the human halfway. He liked Gabe’s size normally, was delighted and turned on by taking control of the larger man, but it was a little inconvenient for feeding.

Maybe Soren should have worn his heeled boots.

When Gabe was right where he wanted him, Soren dropped a soft kiss on his neck, directly over his pulsing jugular. Gabe’s breath hitched. Soren tongued the same spot, lavishing it with attention.

“Soren…” Gabe’s voice came out strained.

“Yes, Highness?” Soren smiled against his salty skin.

“You’re teasing me.”

Soren licked his mark again. “Just warming you up.”

Gabe’s fingers spasmed on Soren’s hips. “Please, Soren.”

Well, when he asked so nicely…

Soren couldn’t possibly deny such a polite request. He sank his fangs in with one smooth motion, moaning around the burst of flavor on his tongue. Gabe tasted as delicious as he smelled—clean and bright, with earthy undertones that had Soren’s head swimming.

Or possibly that was Gabe’s blood alcohol level. Soren had gotten buzzed off drunk victims before—it was actually a faster way for vampires to feel the effects of alcohol, rather than consuming booze themselves.

He drank deep, gratified when he felt Gabe’s cock hardening against his stomach, the human moaning in surprise at his own reaction. Soren couldn’t blame him. His own cock was hard as well.Blood and sex.This was what life—a vampire’s life—was all about.

If he wanted, Soren could enhance the pleasurable sensations his venom was sparking along Gabe’s neurons with compulsion, but Gabe didn’t seem to need it. Soren had never been so pleased with the side effects of a vampire’s bite as he was now, feeling Gabe’s undeniable reaction against him.

Because he didn’t just want to claim Gabe. He wanted Gabe to feelgood.To crave being fed on the same way Soren already knew he was going to crave feeding on his human.

Ending a bite had never been a problem for Soren—not since his very first days as a vampire—but it took every ounce of willpower to release his hold on Gabe’s neck.

The human just tasted sogoddamn good.

Soren placated himself by lapping up stray drops as he licked the wound closed with his healing saliva, humming to himself. Gabe was panting against him, his fingers still in bruising grips on Soren’s hips. “Fuck. I mean—fuck. Danny told me it felt good. I just— I thought he was trying to keep me from worrying.”

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