Page 88 of Taste of Forever
Laith looked surprised and then pleased. “I would love that. But are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I’m hungry enough to eat a horse, but I feel great besides that.” I raised my arms and did a little spin on the balls of my feet. “See? Balance is back and I’ve been standing on my own for a whole minute.”
“You sure have.” Laith’s grin widened after I completed my twirl. “We should go dancing again when you’re feeling a hundred percent.”
Joy sparked in me like fireworks. “That would be amazing. I can’t wait.”
“Soon enough, Science Barbie.” He rose from bed and started to get dressed.
“Speaking of hunger,” I said, my pulse elevating slightly. “How are you doing? Do you need to feed from me?”
Laith’s gaze immediately went to my neck while he secured his jeans with a belt. The raw want in his eyes made my heart beat faster. It would be different from now on. We no longer hadto fight any urges. When the desire came, we could just let those feelings take over us. I couldn’t wait to feel him drink from me with no reservations.
“Not yet.” Laith jerked his gaze away, searching for a T-shirt. “You should eat another meal. Maybe have another day of rest to be safe. I know you feel fine, but I don’t want to cause your body any undue stress.”
“Are you sure?” I moved closer, taking advantage of his temporary blindness as he pulled a T-shirt over his head. “Maybe just a little taste?”
His smile grew vicious, fangs raking over his bottom lip as he drew me against his chest. “As if I could stop at just a little taste of you.” He kissed me, sharp enough for his fangs to poke me without piercing. “When I have you, I’m taking my fill. So I need my blood mate in prime health.” He swatted my ass. “Now, let me feed you and introduce you to the assholes I live with.”
The apartment outside his bedroom was modest and simple. It was mostly an open living area with couches and a small table. A TV took over nearly one entire wall with gaming consoles and controllers set neatly in the cubbies of the TV stand. The kitchenette was little more than a small refrigerator, a counter and a sink.
“You didn’t make that soup in here, did you?”
“Nah, I don’t think that fridge is even plugged in.” Laith grabbed my hand, leading me toward the front door. “The main kitchen upstairs is a shared space. Only Tavia and Bea actually use it to make food. We mostly use the island for meetings.”
There was that name again, Tavia. Where had I heard it before?
Outside Laith’s front door was a industrial-looking hallway with concrete floors and a tall ceiling stretching at least two stories up. More doors lined the hall, with some hanging framedphotos and console tables lining the walls between doors. The air was cool and dry, reminding me of a wine cellar.
“Are those other apartments?” I nodded at the doors. “For your clan members?”
“Yeah, everyone’s got their own place. Mated couples live together, obviously.”
“How many couples are there?”
“Aside from you and me?” He kissed my temple. “One. Cyan and Tavia live there.” He pointed at one door, then led me toward the end of the hall, where a metal staircase rose up to meet a set of two carved wooden doors. “The greatroom is up there. Where everyone gathers.”
“Are we underground?” I asked as we started to climb.
“The apartments are, yes. It’s an instinctual thing for vampires. We’re better able to rest the further away from sunlight we are. That tends to be below the surface.”
“Makes sense.”
We reached the top landing and Laith pushed open one of the doors to reveal an open, brightly lit space. A luxurious kitchen with marbled counters and a massive center island took up nearly half the space. The other half looked to be a living area with couches arranged around a…
“Is that a stripper pole?” I blurted out.
“Sure is,” answered a vampire lounging on one of the couches with his legs dangling over the arm. “You should see your mate turning tricks on it.”
“Oh, really?” I looked at Laith behind me.
“I’m out of practice but I know you’ve been putting in work, Des. Did you win your bet with Irina?”
“Ugh, no.” The other vampire’s head flopped back in disappointment. “Couldn’t get the leg squeeze right. Just about landed on my face and had to buy drinks for all the dancers.”
“Well, maybe don’t quit your night job.” Laith cupped my nape and massaged. “Des, this is Heather. Heather, Des.”
“Hi.” I waved, which Des returned.
