Page 42 of Daring Her Vampires
“He wouldn’t think less of you,” she says.
“No, he wouldn’t.” I sigh. “He didn’t. He kicked the shit out of them when he found out. Sticking up for me was second nature to him. I enjoyed seeing him bring them down.”
“I’m glad he did.”
“I like quiet. Watching my mom garden was more fun to me than running around causing trouble. One of the boys saw me one day, and it didn’t help my reputation. I was supposed to be tough. She gave me the peace I needed.” Sally threads her fingers through mine. “When I became a vampire, I went wild. All that power flowing through my veins. My body grew, and I wasn’t a boy anymore. I fought anyone who was willing. There were many close calls revealing what I was. I didn’t hold back. I killed many, either with my fists or feeding. I didn’t care about anything. All my aggression from my human life was enhanced. I was so fucking angry, and I had the gifts to throw that anger at anyone I wanted. Poor Atlas was dealing with his cravings, but he always came to the rescue. He changed the memories of the humans and cleaned up the blood after me.”
“Did he try to stop you?” she asks.
“No. He knew I needed to get it all out.” I smile slightly. “He always knew what I needed. There were a few times he joined in the chaos. He was my big brother but also a new vampire who was testing his limits. I’m not proud of everything I did. I don’t excuse it. The truth is, I liked it. We didn’t have anyone to guide us, so we didn’t have limits. For three kids who lived in a hostile home, we did well holding ourselves back.” I watch my thumb stroke her hand. “It was years before we saw another vampire. It was odd meeting him. He saw me picking a fight for no reason and stepped in to help. The man was human. The vampire took me to the side and educated me on a few things. He hit me twice and told me to start thinking instead of acting on every impulse.
“It was difficult. Atlas had lectured me before, but for some reason, having a stranger do it made it more effective. I started to think before acting. I was still wild. It took several more years to stop and deal with my anger. Humans meant nothing to me, and I wanted to punish them. I should have hated being a vampire—a vampire killed my mom. Yet I couldn’t. I was in love with the power.” I roll to my back. “Becoming something I didn’t know could exist was the best thing that happened to me. The guilt has been hard to live with.”
“You have no reason to feel guilty.” She slides close, wrapping her hand around my waist. “I get it. I’ve always been small. Other shifters have underestimated me because of my species. I love it when they do, and I relish showing them they shouldn’t.”
“I do too. I always thought I took too much satisfaction in bringing them down,” I confess.
“It’s fun.” She lifts a shoulder. “I’ve been misjudged my whole life.”
“We met a pair of mated rabbit shifters. They were wild. We spent a night at a bar with them. I thought I was out of control. They hardly drank a drop yet were dancing on the tables at theend of the night.” I rub her arm, distracted by her body pressed against me.
“So maybe we overcompensate,” she laughs.
“They had every right to be confident.” I roll and face her. “You do too. You're beautiful, and can hold your own in a fight.” I rub a strand of her hair between my thumb and forefinger. “The human at the club was weak. I’d love to see you take on a shifter.”
“You probably shouldn’t encourage me,” she warns, smirking.
“We could be trouble together.” I lift a brow. “My anger issues aren’t completely gone. I will never lose the wild side.”
“That doesn’t scare me,” she says softly.
“I want to make you come while I feed on your blood,” I growl, cupping the side of her neck. “Does that scare you?” Judging from the desire in her scent, it doesn’t.
“Are you hungry?” she asks huskily.
“Around you? Always.” My fangs are throbbing, ready to strike.
“I’ve heard it can be pleasurable,” she says.
“It is. If I want it to be.” I grind my teeth together.
“How fast do you think I can come? While you are feeding?”
“Is that a challenge?” I ask.
“Maybe.”
“I like a challenge.”
“I mean…” She pushes the blankets down to her feet. “I’m already naked.”
I keep my eyes on hers. “Be sure. I don’t want to pressure you.”
“I’ve said it before…” She lies on her back and looks at me. “I don’t ever do anything I don’t want to do.” She bites her lip. “Drink from me. I don’t want you to drink from a blood bag.”
“What if I can’t stop?” I ask, fearing my demon will lose control.
“Then you’ll have to turn me. I won’t be mad. I’m not going to refuse the bond. I’d like a bit more time before we complete it, but if it happens, it happens.” She holds my eyes, showing her truth in her eyes.
