Page 66 of Hot Blooded
“You can’t be serious,” her voice is a gasp. I can tell my words are turning her on, affecting her as much as she’s affecting me. The naughty girl. Always teasing me, begging me for my bite. If only I had the self-control to stop once I started drinking that sweet blood of hers.
“When am I not serious?” I try to change the subject, to gain some composure over the growing problem in the front of my trousers.
“You made fun of my floppy hat just the other day,” she starts to argue, but we both go silent as the memories of what followed hit us.
“Well, I am serious now. Next time, tell me when you’re on your period, so I can enjoy you myself,” I hiss. So much for changing the subject. When did my hand go down my trousers?
Tressa just giggles uncomfortably at my words. “Okay, gross. I’m hanging up now. Text your brother and tell him not to do anything weird.”
Mention of my brother helps deflate my erection immediately. I pull my hand free. “Tressa, go in the other room and lock the door, please.”
“Okay. But Reign?” Tressa’s voice is small.
“Yeah, sweetheart?” I wish I was there with her now, to protect her. Why must my precious human girl be so appealing to all vampires?
“I’m going to be safe, right? Alastair wouldn’t…” she cuts herself off, perhaps afraid to say the words lest they ring true.
I hesitate for a beat before I growl into the phone. “If he does, I’ll kill him.”
Tressa lets out a nervous little laugh. Little does she know, I’m not kidding.
Chapter 34
Tressa
Ever since I saw the life drain from Henrick’s human body, saw the process of Reign turning him, I can’t stop thinking about it. Consumed with fantasies, I’m even dreaming about it. Not the part where a man lost his life, although he gained a new kind of life.
No. What I can’t stop thinking about is, what would it be like to be in Henrick’s place? I’m obsessing over the thought. That, and the pain. How much would it hurt? Could I stand the transformation? I suppose all vampires made it through and lived to tell the tale. I’m sure I could. The question is, do I really want to?
No that’s not the question. Not really. Of course I want to. The thought of growing old and leaving Reign behind, I can’t bear the idea. Not that he wants me eternally, right? We haven’t even saidI love youyet.
And what on earth would Reign do with me on my period? I can’t help but wonder, fascination and disgust playing out in equal measure.
I tap out a text to Lena to let her know I’m back, as Alastair and I pull down the long driveway.
Reign’s waiting in the driveway, looking like sex on legs in his crisp button-up and dark tailored slacks. I practically leap from the car before it’s even come to a stop.
“Someone’s awfully eager,” Alastair chuckles.
Reign is on me in a blink, scooping me up into his arms and peppering my face with kisses. When he smiles at me, I catch a glimpse of his gleaming fangs and my knees go weak.
“Alastair,” Reign gives a curt nod to his brother. “Did you keep your hands to yourself, or do I need to murder you?”
Alastair raises his hands. “Don’t worry. I didn’t touch her. Not even one scarlet drop of her.”
If the daggers that shoot from Reign’s eyes were real, Alastair would be in about a million pieces right now.
“Not funny, Alastair,” I chastise him, and squeeze into Reign to calm him down. “How’s Henrick?”
“Yes, how is your new bundle of joy, brother?”
“Do you have a death wish?” I snap on Reign’s behalf. I saw how much it tore Reign up to change Henrick. It’s not a silly joke. It was awful. Completely wretched to witness a man’s life end like that. Well,changelike that, maybe, not end completely.
“My apologies, I didn’t realize it was so tense over here. Let’s go meet the poor fellow then.” Alastair’s tone may seem sincere, but Reign’s clearly not buying it. Reign’s posture is still stiff, and I take hold of his hand, hoping to be of some comfort to him.
When we get inside, Reign leads us down the hallway to the guest room where Henrick’s been resting. I can already hear someone moving around behind the door as we approach. The sound is agitated, a mix of furniture bumping and grunts.
I don’t want to fear vampires, because I care so much for Reign, and Alastair in my own way, but my sense of self-preservation has me standing behind the two brothers as they open Henrick’s door.
