Page 39 of Taste of Forever
I had just been spilling my guts about my failing relationship and lack of sex life, and now we were smiling at each other. He made me feel like everything would be okay.
“So, will you let me help with that blood problem?” I said after a prolonged silence.
Laith pushed hair off his forehead, his expression sobering. “Let me make sure I understand this. You want to give me blood without receiving any physical intimacy in return, even though you’re not getting any from your partner, who you are still technically with, despite your planning to break up.” One eyebrow lifted lazily. “Do I have that correct?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s pretty much the gist.”
“So what are you getting out of this?” His gaze settled heavily on me. “Because so far, it sounds like an awful lot of giving for nothing in return.”
Pulling in a deep breath, I inched closer to him. “Well, getting to know you.” My smile was full of nerves for all the wrong reasons. “Learning about you.”
Laith did not seem any more moved or charmed than he already was. Justin always said that I sucked at flirting.
“But not physically,” Laith said flatly.
“Just until I end things for good.” More like until Soren was satisfied with whatever information I gave and he finally exited my life, but that was for me to know.
He blew out a breath. “I’m not trying to be a dick, Heather, but the blood mate connection is a very physical one. You remember how we both felt in that room at the blood bank? That’s the most sterile, unsexy place in Sanguine and I wanted to…well, you can probably imagine, but it’s going to be like that every time.”
I recalled the deep pulsing between my legs, the sensitivity on my skin, the heat and coiling pleasure within me. At the same time, I furrowed my brow and tried to look confused while my face burned. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Laith saw right through it. He shook his head and clicked his tongue, chastising. “The dumb blonde act won’t work onme, Heather. I can smell when you’re aroused. I can hear your heartbeat as clearly as I hear your voice. I took your blood and you were on the edge of an orgasm. I still regret not fighting harder to see you that night, if only to give you the release you needed.”
My jaw fell open, which seemed to amuse Laith greatly.
“That long since he tried to make you come, huh? Why don’t you call him up and end it right now? I’ll take your generous offer of blood and I promise you won’t be thinking of him for the next several hours.”
I blinked, forcing myself to remember what was at stake, that my relationship was still worth fighting for. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit tempted to agree.
Four months without sex sucked. Going longer withoutgoodsex was even worse.
“No,” I said. “I’ll give you blood and we can…talk. Have drinks, hang out. But that’s it.”
“Until you end it with him,” Laith said, as if reminding me.
“Until I end it,” I agreed. “We’ll just have to be adults and behave ourselves.”
Laith brought a hand to his chest. “Oh, I am perfectly capable of behaving myself. But if a beautiful human with the most delicious blood on earth begs me to make her come? Well, I have to admit that is a weakness.”
I shook my head. “You walked right up to me andkissedme. That’s behaving yourself?”
“Yes. That was me putting my best foot forwardbeforeI knew you had someone else and had set your rules with me.” He grinned. “Still my favorite kiss. So far.”
Holy shit, this was going to be harder than I ever imagined. He was just too easy to like. The smiles he put on my face came too readily. Enjoying myself in his presence would not be an act at all.
I drained the remainder of my water, now wishing I’d added more ice cubes. As I sat back, returning his curious stare, I willed myself to be firm. Resolute.
“So, how do we do this outside of the blood bank?” I rotated my wrist, noting how his eyes went straight to the blood vessels just below my open palm. “Do I just say, here, want some blood?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
At my stunned expression, Laith’s face split into a grin. “Temkra, I’m kidding.” He took the back of my palm and gently drew my arm toward him. “Yes, I would love some blood.”
I braced myself, waiting for his strike, but Laith gently pushed up the sleeve of my cardigan, examining my forearm tattoo with a curious stare. “What is this?” he asked.
“It’s oxytocin. The love chemical.” Before he could comment, I defensively added, “I’m a science nerd and a romantic, okay?”
Laith lifted his eyes to mine, and I was relieved to see that his expression wasn’t mocking or disapproving. “That’s really cool,” he said softly. “So this is what love looks like? Inside your brain or whatever.”
