Page 87 of Hot Blooded
“Mmhmm,” I murmur.
“Good,” he nods, licking his lips.
“Aren’t you going to have some?” I ask, holding up a bite on my fork.
He politely shakes his head. “I’d much rather have you. I can’t get the taste off my lips. No wonder my brother is so obsessed with you.”
“Why are you bringing him up?” I question.
He shrugs. “No reason. I shouldn’t really. Not if I want you to fall madly in love with me…” His gazes searches mine. For what, I cannot yet tell. But there is definitely something up.
“Alastair, what is this?” I gesture between us.
“I’m going to change you, sweetheart. That’s what you want. I want to make you happy.”
“Bullshit,” I accuse him.
He laughs heartily. “The mouth on you. Both you and Reign deserve this. Now… are you going to give me a sip, or not?”
“Greedy. What would your brother say?” I challenge. Still, my stomach leaps with the idea that he’s being serious.
He raises an eyebrow. “Do you care?”
I shake my head defiantly. “Not one bit.” It’s a total lie, but apparently, we’re both lying, so when in Rome…
“So let me ask you, Tressa. What does your little sister think about this big transition you have planned?” he asks suddenly.
My eyebrows knit together. “How do you know I have a sister?”
He makes a clucking sound of disapproval. “So suspicious. If I’m going to change you, I’m going to need to trust you. You do realize of course, it is highly illegal to change a human, foranyreason…”
I let his words wash over me. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it. You’re a smart girl.”
My mind races. Was Reign afraid of the risk… if he changed me? The thought doesn’t make sense, and then I quickly have an awful realization washing over me. “Henrick,” I sputter.
“Yes, dear Tressa. Henrick.” Alastair confirms.
“Is Reign in trouble?” I gasp, dropping my fork. It clatters to the plate loudly and I cringe.
Alastair gives a wicked smile that makes my heart sink. “For a while, yes. Things were, precarious.”
“Is he okay?” I jump from my seat, fists clenched and shaking.
Alastair laughs in reaction to me. “Sit down, sweetheart. He is fine. I made sure of it. Cost me a damn arm and leg…”
“What did you do?” I question him.
“Paid people off, of course. Humans are so petty. They will compromise their morals for money in a flash. Just like you did…” he accuses me.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I spit.
He shakes his head in disapproval. “How fast you left with me when I proposed we be together. All to turn yourself.”
“You’rewrong,” I shout.
He chuckles. “No need to get angry, dear. I’m only messing around. You want to use me to change, to get to Reign. Isn’t that right?”
