Page 91 of Smoke and Lure

And she wanted to matter, not just to someone but to him.

As she continued to drink, enraptured as the flesh-warmed blood cascaded down her throat like water—rivulets and rivulets of Juli’s luscious life source.When it ended its journey and splashed into the pool in her stomach, deepening with every pull of her mouth, Michaela felt the sparks and tingles spread warmth through her body and saturated every cell.It was that warmth that became heat, that turned into need.

Lust.

That desire drew her toward something more decadent and crave-worthy than blood—Amaros.As her gaze followed the lines of the white pinstripes in his tan apparel and travelled along his sleek, well-put-together form, dressed in another tailored suit—jacket, tie, shirt, slacks—she tried to unravel the mystery of him.She wanted to unravel him, muss him, see him unrestrained, and force him to show herhisneed.

The salty taste of Juli’s soft skin along her tongue and the light floral notes of lavender, roses, violets, dandelions, and the pungent, earthy scent of soil surrounding the woman made feeding from her pleasant.Michaela didn’t know how she identified the scents because she could not recall a flower she’d ever seen outside of a book.

Nothing grew in the Dispatch District, not flowers and especially not hope.

Juli let out a soft moan and exhaled in a long sigh.

Concerned, she glanced up at the other woman and saw a paleness to her peachy complexion, and a grayish-dark mark had begun to circle her green eyes.However, they remained glazed and bright, as if Juli experienced a joy in submitting to her.Her.

Michaela felt the tension in the Prime woman’s body and understood that the act of feeding wasn’t only erotic for the Vampire but for the human source as well.

Have I drunk too much?Am I expected to satisfy her since I put her in this state?

No.

Crossing her legs to tamp down the ache between her thighs, Michaela returned her gaze to Amaros.

Juli is Prime, a slight excess of blood loss will not kill her, she will recover quickly.Typically, it is common for Vampires to engage in sex during or after a feeding—as you well know, it’s sensual in its act.But blood mates do not fuck others, unless both mates are willing to invite in outsiders to their bed.

Oh.

Is that something you’d like, Michaela?Do you desire Juli?Or maybe even Sherman?

Michaela did not have to glance toward the tall, stocky man with skin the color of African nights to answer Amaros.No.

Amaros was all she wanted.And gracious did she want him.Her thighs were sleek with her arousal, to an almost embarrassing level.

He held her gaze.Have you had enough, little angel?

Little angel.The way his deep, cultured voice called her those two words always sent a frisson of heat down her spine and right to her clit.

And now that she felt so open to him, vulnerable after she confessed the horrors of the lab to him and all the Vampire leaders, she needed to know he still wanted her.Desired her.

She glanced up at Juli, even if she hadn’t drunk enough to satiate herself, which Michaela was beginning to wonder if her belly was a bottomless pit.Or was it because she had three little ones she also needed to feed?Juli began to sway on the table, evident she’d lost quite a bit of blood.

Something sparked in her, and Michaela inherently knew it was her job to care for this human.Drinking more than she should, even if Juli would eventually be okay, was wrong and selfish.It would make Michaela no better than the scientists.

Yes.I’ve had enough.

Remember to retract your fangs with your last sip, so you do not release your venom into her bloodstream.It’s dangerous, even to a Prime,Amaros coaxed her gently.

Michaela followed his instructions carefully.

Lick her wound so that it seals, now.

Slowly, Michaela dragged her tongue over the two perfect puncture marks in the woman’s wrist.She watched in amazement as the skin drew tight and seemed to stitch itself closed before her eyes.

Fascinating.

“Sherman, assist Juli.Ensure she eats and rests, and you can attend to her needs.”

“As you command, Sire.”After a curt nod at Amaros, Sherman was beside Juli instantly, then wrapped his thick arm around her waist and helped her down from the table.

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