Page 55 of Hot Blooded
“I missed you,” I practically gasp at the sight of her. She’s like a refreshing drink of water.
A smile pulls at her lips.
“May I come in?” I ask.
She nods and steps aside, closing the door behind me. It’s odd being in this room. There are so many rooms of my house I don’t enter.
“Did I wake you?” I ask as I shift side to side in the middle of her room, unsure what to do with myself.
She lies back down on the bed and pats the spot next to her. “No, I was up.”
“Doing what?”
“Reading,” she says with a blush. It strikes me as an odd reaction, but I don’t question it.
Instead, I lie down on the fluffy pillow and she leans back next to me. It feels so right, why am I denying myself again? Have I not grown? Maybe not. The one time I drank from her…
“What were you reading?” I ask, to distract myself from my wicked thoughts.
“Just this and that,” she answers without really answering. I stretch my arm out, pressing under her neck so she can slip into the crook of my arm, but then I feel something hard.
I raise an eyebrow. “Is there some sexy toy under your pillow? Or were you reading a book so filthy you had to hide it from me?” She swallows and her throat bobs deliciously. Good thing I fed today. “Well…” I push.
She covers her face in her hands. “You’re going to hate me. I’ve done something awful.”
I sit up at her words, pulling her with me. “I could never hate you, sweetheart. Tell me what you’ve done.” I know my words are true, but I’m somehow nervous at what she might say. Before I can let my mind wander too far into the abyss, I press her again. “Tell me.”
“Daniella’s diary. I read it.” She reaches behind herself and pulls the old book from under her pillow.
Seeing it… I’ve thought it was safely locked away in the west wing. Has she been there? My arm drops from around her in my shock.
“Where did you get this?” The words come out harsher than I mean them to.
“The library. I found it buried amid the books. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize who it belonged to until tonight. I shouldn’t have opened it again once I found out, but I couldn’t resist. I’m awful. I’ve completely invaded your privacy.”
When I pull her close she stops her rant. I plant a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t be sorry. You didn’t know. I believe you. Come to think of it, it might be time I purge some of her belongings.”
She shakes her head. “No. Don’t do that just for me. It’s perfectly healthy to keep reminders around of people you love. Please. Keep your happy memories.”
I nod in agreement. “I’ll keep some of it, but I don’t need the bulk I have.”
We sit quietly for some time. I feel an odd tendril of peace budding in me. Then an idea takes root in my mind.
“Tressa… would you be okay, if we tried it again?”
She leans back, looking me in the eyes. “Try what?”
“Let me taste you again. Just once. I just fed today, so I think this is the best time to know. Do you trust me to try it?” I ask, not sure if this idea is completely insane. But I’m inspired with this idea, like I might be healing. I want to chase it.
I’m not surprised when she smiles wide at me, eyes lowering to gaze at me from behind those thick lashes. “Of course. I trust you, Reign.”
Leaning into her neck, I rub my lips slowly over the flesh, savoring the sensation of the warmth and vibration of her heartbeat, then my tongue traces over the salty skin. Finally, I part my lips, sinking my fangs into her flesh.
She lets out a soft moan and I do my best to suck slower than I ever have before. Her pulse is barely slowing. If anything, it’s speeding up. But as quick as I start, I pull off her, lapping at the little droplets that linger on her skin.
“Wow,” she sighs, eyes rolling back in her head.
“Yeah,” I pant wistfully.
