Page 75 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
He sighs. The oakish-jasmine scent of him wafts against my face. I close my eyes. “For this reason, I might taste unpleasant to you. It’s possible that my blood isn’t strong enough to satisfy your palate and biological needs. Especially considering that you’re accustomed to ancient purebred blood. Feeding from me could weaken your vampiric energy, or create health defects.”
“No.” I shake my head, resolute. “It won’t.”
He chuckles. “You’re certain?”
Slowly, I open my still alighted irises and look at him, because I want to be clear.
“I am.” Cautiously, I open my mouth. We maintain eye contact as he slides the tip of his thumb between my lips. I meet him with my tongue.
“Just a taste,” he says, allowing it to slide further inside. “You have consent.”
My heart pounds twice as hard but I don’t hesitate. Smoothly, I take hold of his wrist to keep him steady, tilt my head and pierce his skin with my teeth. The smallest drop of his blood hits my palate and I suck his thumb. I close my eyes, exhaling and concentrating. Tasting and memorizing.
His essence is warm and buttery as it slips down my throat. Bright, but lively—like something spiced. Ginger or sweetened pepper.
I want more. To drown in him and have his flavor overwhelm my senses. If I had more, I could taste deeper and truly dissect. I could know and savor his undertones.
But I can’t have him that way.
Not now. Not yet.
Opening my eyes, I slip his thumb from between my lips, breathing. Stifling the painful hunger inside.
“Am I unpalatable?” he asks, watching me vigilantly. “Perhaps I taste watered down?”
I sit still, considering for a moment. “You taste like liquid gold. Like life-giving energy. Honey, light and ginger. Like love.” As we stare at each other, my fangs slowly retract. We’re swathed in a silence that feels like soft cotton. Warm and protective. Enclosed.
Aries takes a breath and the trance is broken. “You’ve made it so painfully clear that you desire me, but what am I supposed to do, Oliver? What would you have me do?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. Thank you for trusting me. I’m grateful to you, Aries. I really am.”
He turns, looking out the window and noting how far the sun has climbed over the horizon.
“You need to go,” I tell him. “Camille will be here soon.”
When he whips his head back toward me, there’s uncertainty in his eyes. Hesitation. Lifting my hands, I hold his face. “I’m okay.”
“You are not.”
“But I will be, I promise. You’ve shown me so much. How can I ever be the same? How can I blindly go along with their plans anymore? I can’t. I won’t.”
“What will you do? If you try to escape, I can help you.”
“No.” Lowering my hands, I find his between us and clasp his palms. “I want to do this. To stand up for myself and carve my own path, but… maybe we’ll meet again? If I’m able to become free of my circumstance, somehow, would you be willing to see me? I don’t need a promise or anything, I’d just really love to—”
I gasp, breathless. My words are cut off because Aries bends, takes hold of my head with both palms and kisses me, hard. Quickly, I shut my eyes, exhale and try to meet his rhythm. The intensity of his affection leaves me spent. Liquefied and molten.
When he raises his head, his face is flush. “Yes,” he says. “Because I would giveanythingto meet you again—free from this place and circumstance.” Smiling, he brushes his nose into mine. “And yes, it’s a promise.”
Relief sweeps through me. Effervescence, love and warmth flood my body as I lift my arms and pull him into a secure embrace. “I’ll miss you this week,” I whisper.
He kisses the tip of my nose, then looks me in the eyes. “I’ll miss you, too, my sweet coconut prince.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
It takes Aries several minutes, but he picks his clothes up from the floor, re-dresses, kisses me at least four more times in between, then finally leaves my bedroom.
I’m soothed and contented in his wake. The most wonderful tropical storm has swept through my bedroom—across my body, my bedsheets and even within me. I feel ravaged but delightful. Exhausted but fulfilled. Liberated.
