Aries makes a hungry sound from his throat and his hands firmly hold my hips in an attempt to keep me still. But then his tongue dips inside of me and I reflexively arch my back hard against the bed. A soft whimper passes through my parted lips because I can literally feel the wetness of him licking into me and exploring my body.
 
 In this moment, I am… a new kind of creature. Or at least a different one compared with what I’ve always been. My aura is repressed inside of my skin, and my lower half squirms and rocks in rhythm with Aries’s mouth and hands because I need more—this wild and feral desire that I’ve never experienced.
 
 Right now, I’m not like a beige wall. I feel electrified—neon pink and iridescent.
 
 He teases and licks between my cheeks, driving me to the point of madness. Until I’m gasping and moaning in ways that I didn’t know I was capable of. He moves back up, and I instinctively lift my head to see him. He grins roguishly before he takes my shaft into his mouth—the full length of me in one smooth and voracious movement.
 
 His mouth is hot as he envelopes me and my eyes roll back as I drop my head against the comforter. I might pass out from the fire racing up and down my spine and this erotic sensation.
 
 Aries moans and his mouth vibrates around my flesh as he slides his tongue against me, curiously tasting and relishing. He takes my shaft in deeper until I feel myself hitting the back of his throat. His fingers dig into my flesh at my ass and hips, slowly lifting me up.
 
 He pumps in a seductive, slow rhythm. Intentionally, deliberately, he sucks and grips my body in his hands and everything inside of me reaches a delicate precipice—a hot and radiant pleasure. He thrusts me up and into the heat of his mouth, then drags my shaft down across his tongue, licking and pulling until my body can’t take it anymore. Until I gasp, shudder and softly cry out as a bright, tingling sensation flows up my spine, to my brain and all through me.
 
 My nature pulses hard and ravenous within my flesh, begging to be set free and wrap itself around this vampire that it yearns for. But I clear my head and separate the carnal pleasure from my vampiric desire—holding that part of myself inside because I can’t… I refuse to expose him to the seduction of my aura.
 
 Aries keeps his mouth on my cock the entire time. Swallowing with conviction and indulgence. When my body is limp and satiated, he gently lowers my hips and ass back down to the bed, then crawls up to hover over me. My breathing is labored and ragged because my heart, pulse and nature are thumping loudly like a drum.
 
 He’s calm, almost hypnotized as he stares. His eyes are still glowing. I can barely function, but I raise my head just enough to kiss his full lips. I want him naked, too, so I lift my hands to grip the bottom of his sweater.
 
 But he stops me. He wraps one of his palms around my wrist before he whispers.
 
 “I should go.”
 
 Despite my languid state, panic flashes inside my chest and my eyes widen. “What? Why?”
 
 “If someone catches me in here, we—”
 
 “They won’t, Aries. I promise no one comes to my room until morning—and I’ve been dismissed, so I’m in exile right now. You’re safe.”
 
 I don’t want him to leave like this. It shifts the mood of what we’ve just done, as if it’s something dirty or shameful. Something quick and tawdry that we need to cover up. I don’t want him to feel that way, because I certainly don’t.
 
 “Please stay,” I ask. “A little longer?” I hold his face with my free hand. If he really wants to leave, I’ll respect his decision. But I wish with all my heart that he wouldn’t. That we could at least have this night together.
 
 Aries is quiet for a long moment, watching me. When he breathes out, it’s heavy. His jasmine essence puffs against my face. “Okay.”
 
 My body unclenches as I offer a smile. “I held my aura inside. Do you feel alright?” It was uncomfortable, but I managed it. I’ll keep him safe, no matter what.
 
 “I feel fine, darling. Don’t worry.” Aries traces the line of my jaw with his fingers. I close my eyes. “The consequences of my actions are for me to deal with. You are superb, Oliver. And your eyes are enchanting—so pale blue but with flecks of bright silver. Like stardust.”
 
 I smile awkwardly as my face warms. Nobody has ever spoken to me this way.
 
 “You taste like sex and flowers… peonies, specifically.”
 
 My eyes open as I shake my head. I can’t stop grinning. “I don’t know what that means.”
 
 “It means that you are delectable. Sweet perfection.” Aries shifts upright, then grabs the hem of his sweater to pull it over his head. I sit up, too, shamelessly staring as he stands and reveals his finely toned chest and the sexy layer of dark silky hairs there. He unbuttons his pants and removes them, slowly.
 
 My mouth is agape when he’s finally naked and magnificent before me. Tall, gently sculpted and all beautiful, richly bronzed skin. God… I haven’t had much access to movies or television shows, but I have a feeling that what I’ve just witnessed is far better than anything ever made.
 
 As he climbs onto the bed, I shift my robe from my shoulders. Aries pulls the duvet and sheets further down before he lies back against the mattress, making himself comfortable.
 
 I am beside myself. I cannot believe that this handsome vampire is naked and in my bed. How could I be so lucky? I am not lucky, typically, but this is an undeniable turn of fate. Maybe Venus is in retrograde, or some other supernatural occurrence that I can’t possibly rationalize.
 
 Eagerly, I crawl toward him. When I’m close, he lifts a hand and holds my face, then slides his other hand around my waist to pull me down on top of him. Our bodies align and the sensation is perfect—electricity sparking warmly between his skin and mine.
 
 Aries draws his knees up so that I’m nestled comfortably against his groin. I’m swathed in his embrace as we kiss. Over and over—from this angle and that one. Gently, playfully, and then deeper and more intensely. Penetrating and exploring. Any way that two vampires can kiss, we experiment and indulge.
 
 Just as my nature is painfully churning and twisting from the wonderful taste of him in my mouth, he breaks our connection. My eyelids are heavy as I try to focus. “Are we okay?” I ask, breathless. I never want this night to end.