Page 89 of Hot Blooded
I stalk to the front door and bang away. Finally, I hear the latch and the door swings open.
“Brother,” he stutters, smiling coyly.
“Alastair,” I say in warning. “What have you been up to? I was worried.”
“Were you?” he questions, sounding like he doesn’t at all believe me. That’s probably wise of him.
“Who is here?” I sniff at the air wafting from the open door. “Alastair…” I gasp as the familiarity of the scents that weakens my bones. That makes my heart ache. That set off a familiar chain of events inside my body that I can’t quite bear. “No. Please tell me. No…” I shake my head. It can’t be real. Don’t get your hopes up, Reign.
He steps outside, closing the door quietly behind him. “I need you to be calm and listen.”
I look around wildly in all directions, as if Tressa may step out from behind a bush at any moment… even though I know damn well her fresh scent is coming from inside his house.
“You’re not calm. Have you fed, brother? You need to eat something to steady yourself.”
I shake my head. “Why is she here?” I manage to ask, even though my throat feels like it’s closing. I’m on edge and about to explode.
Alastair holds his wrist to my lip. “Here, at least have a little of mine. It won’t help much, but you need something if you’re going to hear this news…”
I slap his wrist from my face. “Tell me. Now,” I growl.
He shifts side to side. “I wish we could sit down, but the state you’re in, I’m not sure you should come inside just yet.
At his words, I push past him and grab at the door handle.
“Reign, no!” he shouts, grabbing my body and tugging me away. But I’m older and stronger than him, and I manage to pry the door open.
“Tressa,” I scream, my voice cracking. “Tressa, answer me. Are you okay?”
I sound crazed. Completely mad. And yet, I don’t give two fucks. I need to get to her. The smell of her is overwhelming. Plus, if my brother laid one fucking finger on her. So help me.
“Tressa!” I shout again as I barrel through the house, up the stairs, down again, and finally find her looking quite scared, arms over her chest, legs squeezed together, sitting in the study.
“Reign,” she gasps.
I bound to her in two strides and the freeze, restraining myself from touching her.Fuck.My brother was right. I should have at least drunk from him. The smell of Tressa is insanely tempting. I clench my hands behind my back, retreating toward the door, pursing my lips tightly together, just as Alastair catches up with me and wraps his arms around me, stopping me in my tracks.
“Fuck off, Alastair!” I roar.
He throws his wrist in front of my lips again. Even though I don’t want Tressa to see me, I have to. I have to or else I might drain her right here. Right now.
I sink my teeth into his skin. The taste is less than pleasant, but I drink for Tressa. I drink so I have a chance to speak with her. The whole time I suck, our eyes are glued together.
Why won’t she just look away?
Finally, I have had enough that I feel more stable. I pull off of Alastair and he drops his hold on me. I close my eyes and recover whatever shred of dignity I can muster. Then I walk slowly over to the couch across from Tressa and seat myself. Alastair joins me.
Tressa doesn’t speak for a long time, she just looks at me like I’m an aspiration.
Finally, her lips part. “You look well,” she says.
I bark a laugh. “Hardly.”
I feel like shit. I have ever since I sent her away.
She shakes her head. “You do. As handsome as ever.”
Her words soothe me.
