Page 71 of Obsessed in Blood
“Is this what Colantha had in mind after you woke me?”
“She wasn’t specific. Just that you should wake up and get nourishment.”
He ran a hand down my body, not stopping until he reached between my legs.
“And what do you call this?”
“Appetizers.” His head disappeared beneath the covers.
My head fell to the side. The drapes were parted enough for me to see it was still daylight, but the sun would be gone soon. My eyes fluttered shut to the touch of his tongue and the wicked emotions he evoked. I don’t know when we’d become a couple. It seemed we’d taken that next step without talking about it.
A low groan escaped me, and all thought disappeared. Whatever we were to each other, and as hot as the sex was, something deeper had developed without my notice. How the hell had that happened?
Then I screamed when he nipped me, dragging my thoughts back to the other Devon. Not the one who was burrowing his way into my heart, but the one who was giving me such intense pleasure it scared me. I gripped his hair and arched my back as waves consumed me.
Then he was inside me and nothing mattered. His own release came sometime later. I wasn’t watching the clock. I wasn’t even aware of the concept of time. For all I knew, Devon stopped time when we were together.
He rolled, bringing me with him, and I laughed. He always did this, yet each time was a surprise when I ended up on top, the cool air drying my back. It was like lying on a slab of stone—all hard edges and lean muscle. But he was warm and smelled so good. The heat poured off him as a warm tingle slid over me. My arms lay at my side, and I stroked his hip with a relaxed tempo that matched the beat of his slowing heartbeat.
“I’ll ask Cook to have something sent up while we shower. Maybe some of his special egg and brie souffle.”
“That takes like an hour.”
“Turn the shower back on and get it hot. I’ll keep us occupied.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Lucas watchedGinger as she piled fresh strawberries onto her waffle. He was going to take her out to breakfast, but they’d gone out for dinner, and after an amazing night, she wanted to take advantage of the upscale room. So they’d spent most of the morning in bed working up an appetite.
Besides, room service looked good on her. She piled two tablespoons of whipped cream on top of the strawberries, crammed a slice of bacon in her mouth, and chewed as she determined the best way to cut into her waffle masterpiece. After the first bite, she ran a tongue over her lips to clean the whipped cream away, and he dropped his gaze; otherwise, they’d spend the rest of the day back in the bedroom.
“I have the appointment at the Renaud annex this afternoon.” Lucas refilled her coffee cup then took a bite of the hashbrowns. They were good, but nothing compared to Cook’s food.
“I know.” She licked whipped cream off the side of her hand. He had no idea how she managed to get the topping there, but he dropped his gaze again when he caught a spark in her eyes and one of her sexy grins.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be. I want to wander through the stacks a bit before asking if the current curator has time to speak with me.”
“That sounds reasonable.” She licked her fork and then fell back with her hands folded over her stomach. “I think we should save some of this for an afternoon snack. There’s room in the fridge and the microwave will do in a pinch to warm it up.”
“Or we could call the kitchen to pick up the trays as is.”
Her nose scrunched up. “And waste all this food? I know I come from humble living, but it’s not just about the money. I don’t think food should be wasted. Not with how many hungry souls are out there.” She perked up, perching on the edge of her seat. “Maybe we should ask for take-out boxes then hand them out to any homeless we see. I know the hotel can’t do it, but nothing says we can’t.”
Lucas grinned. It was hard not to. She had such a different way of looking at things, many times surprising him. But through it all, she was a generous person, even when she had little herself. She now shared a condo with Cressa in a safe neighborhood, though Cressa chose to live at the manor. Either way, Devon ensured they always had money in their bank accounts, but it grated on her. She never said anything, but it was obvious that she only took what was necessary to survive, not wanting to take advantage of Devon’s hospitality.
He had tried to convince her that Devon didn’t care, but when there had been a real possibility that the House might have been lost to Lorenzo’s meddling, she became more aware of how precarious her status was. He’d discussed her finding a job with Devon before, and he’d been agreeable, but then the issue with the Poppy and Cressa’s disappearance had forced Ginger to stay at the manor. A job would have been impossible under heightened security concerns. Until Devon finished his business with Lorenzo, Lucas would find a way for her to feel useful and worthy of being part of the Family.
“So, is this annex a library or just a large storage facility?” Ginger pushed her plate aside and turned her attention to her coffee.
“It’s a library. They allow visitations upon request, but if they have special projects or events scheduled, the requested date tends to be renegotiated.”
“And do they allow humans in with their vampire friends?”
He sat back and shook his head. “You would be bored.”
“Are you kidding? Cressa told me about the library in L.A., which she says doubles as a museum. There are tons of books to browse.” She leaned back and stared at the ceiling while pulling at her lower lip. “Though I imagine lots of them are written in languages I can’t comprehend, but still, there should be enough written in English.”
He considered her request. His first inclination had been a hard no because in most cases, humans weren’t permitted. “There’s one possibility, but I’m not sure you’re going to like it.”
