Page 114 of Vampires of Eden
I reach, taking hold of his chin in my fingertips. I’m expecting resistance, but there is none as he faces me with his incandescent golden eyes.
“Do you want me?” I ask firmly. No evading the question this time.
Alexander takes a breath. For once, he doesn’t look away. “Yes.”
My heart pulses like a drum in my ears. In my temples, chest and throat. Without warning, an uncanny but soft breeze swirls around us, as if God, the universe or whoever is literally pushing us together and entwining me within Alexander’s citrus shimmer and essence.
“And so?” I ask quietly, dropping my hand from his chin and holding my ground, resisting the urge to plunge into his mouth because I want him to do this. I want him to make this move. To show me, unequivocally.
“And so…” He inhales with his lips slightly parted. His eyes flicker down to my mouth, then back up to my eyes. “Would you want to… May I kiss you? Please?”
The tight knot of frustration that’s been living in my chest these past few weeks eases. Just a little. My nature warms in my belly. “You may.”
Cautiously, Alexander leans until our foreheads gently touch and we’re nose to nose. He tilts his head and I can feel him holding his breath as his eyes flutter closed. He presses his lips to mine in a sweet kiss.
I don’t close my eyes, because the hungry and snarling thing inside of me is entranced by this moment. By the heady scent and carefully muffled intensity of his nature. By the leaves on the vines floating all around us underneath this brilliant blue sky. I want to take in and remember every inch and centimeter. Every iota and atom of this scene.
I press back, returning his intention, but all too soon he lifts,opening his eyes. His alighted gaze focuses on me and suddenly, it’s as if I’m the only one that matters in this world. As if there were no other vampires before me, and there could never be another to follow.
His Adam’s apple dips in his throat. “Um… I?—”
I lean forward, not timid nor careful as his lips part to formulate some word that never has a chance to escape. I meet him head on, fusing our mouths together and running my hands up and through the back of his hair. Sealing him to me as a shock of heat races down my spine.
His mouth opens against mine and I dip into him so that I finally taste his tongue. He’s sweeter and even more invigorating than any fantasy I’ve conjured. Alexander’s breath hitches from the initial shock of our connection, but after a moment his jaw slackens and he relaxes. Melting and tasting me back.
We kiss, on our knees in the dirt and underneath the shaded canopy of the vineyard. We kiss but it feels like more than that. Something deeper with complex layers. A Merlot, but with hints of blackberry and cardamom. Luscious but playful. Curious and satisfying.
Promising.
His palms find my waist and wrap possessively around my lower back, pulling me against his body. He opens to me more and I take the kiss even deeper—examining the flavor notes of his citrusy mouth. The texture of his tongue and the feel of his hair between my fingers.
When I breathe, a hungry groan escapes my throat and passes between us because he tastes so fucking good, but it’s still not enough. The more he gives me, the more I want.
Something in the cool, springtime air around us shifts. Within the sphere of our tight closeness and affection, a flash of power and intent summons me. It’s swift, like being gripped by something hot and strong. My body tenses in his embrace from the surprise of it. Before I can decipher the sensation, Alexander snatches away from the kiss and lets me go.
With his eyes still glowing, he stares, breathless and arresting. I’m surprised when he falls backward onto his ass. He shuts his eyes tightly and inhales sharply.
“What’s wrong?” My voice is raspy as it passes between my lips. It’s nostalgic because it hasn’t been this way in a very long time. My voice, but softer from the ravages of physical intimacy. Me in the context of sensuality and tenderness with my lover.
Drawing his knees up, Alexander takes another intentional breath, then blows it out. He doesn’t speak.
I lean, resting my hand atop his knee. “Rabbit?”
He opens one eye, grinning before he closes them again. “Don’t call me that right now. You’re making it worse.”
“Making what worse?” I ask, placing both hands on his knees. “Talk to me, please? What’s happening?”
“Things inside of me were getting out of hand. Swelling, like a balloon filled with fire. Being demanding.”
“Are you manipulating yourself to stop it?”
“Of course I am.”
“Why?”
He opens his eyes, surprised. “Because I have no idea what it would do if I just let it run rampant. I don’t know how it would impact you.”
“Maybe you should let it do as it pleases? Would you let me feel you if it’s what I genuinely want?”
