Page 17 of The Vampire's Thirst
“Just try it. Put me down, fangmouth.”
“Is that your version of asshole? If so, I’m offended.”
Once he reached the porch, he climbed the three steps to fling open the screen. Her head hit the doorjamb.
“Ouch. Watch it.”
Dax’s heart throbbed as red drops pooled around a wound on her forehead. “Sorry.” Surprisingly, he meant it.
When he threw her onto the bed, she scrambled backward on all fours, planting her spine against the headboard. For all the good it would do her. “I saved your life. Is this my payment?”
He was mesmerized by the rise and fall of her chest with each deep breath.
Dax stared into her vivid orchid eyes. “Beautiful,” he whispered. “I won’t hurt you. I must heal. Which means I need to feed.”
“I was healing you.”
“Not fast enough.”
“I don’t want to die.”
“Die?” He brushed his tangled hair away from his face, knowing he must look like a nightmare. She was a blood virgin, not like the females he usually tapped.Be gentle.“Nobody said anything about killing. I’ll just take a little. If I don’t do it now, I could lose control later. It’s for the best.”
When she flipped a hand up, he grabbed it, brushing a kiss onto her wrist before he bound it along with the other to the bedpost, using the discarded rope on the floor.
She jerked at the bindings, her luscious mouth open. “Does it hurt?”
“No. I can make it pleasant.”
“Untie me then. I’ll let you bite.”
A hollow laugh escaped Dax’s throat. “I know you’ll let me. You don’t have a choice.” He licked a fang, his gut clenching from hunger.
“But you’ll like it more if I let you.” She glanced at her hands.
“Not necessarily. I appreciate a little fight.”
“If it’s fight you want, vampire, bring it on.” Her legs scissored as her arms twisted, her wrists chafing from the movement.
“Stop it, kid. You’re hurting yourself.”
She flinched when Dax threw himself onto the bed, grabbing her ankle. His hand began a slow glide under her skirt and along her thigh. She stilled, her breath hitching.
Straddling her, he dropped his head to capture her lips with a soft, warm kiss. Electricity sparked through every nerve in his body.
Chiara froze, mute, stunned, but scenting of arousal.
Just feed. No reason to kiss.
Unable to stop himself, he seized her mouth again. Her lips parted in invitation.
Heavenly.
With an urgency he chose not to examine, he plunged his tongue deep as Chiara responded, tangling with him, stroking, sucking. He fisted her shoulders, drawing her near as he thrust in and out, his rhythm slow, seductive.
When Dax withdrew from the welcomed kiss, he nibbled along her chin, not breaking skin. At her neck, he licked the pulsing vein, drawing her flesh into his mouth until it plumped, turning cherry red. “Sweet.”
He jerked away, unable to bite. Why was he acting the gentleman vampire? Not his style. He took what he wanted, what he needed. Or, more likely, he paid for it. “I must.” His damn eyes pleaded with her.
