Page 47 of The Vampire's Thirst
“No, darlin’. I think you’re mine.” His words were muffled as he kissed along her spine. “And you feel really good.”
She reached behind her head to stroke his hair. “Wolf, you have no idea what you do to me. Now tell me the interesting story about why I can’t resist you. And why I think you belong to me.”
****
IfDax squeezed the steering wheel any tighter, it would crack.
“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been in a foul mood all morning.” In the passenger seat as they drove toward Missoula, Chiara twisted her hands in her lap.
Rather than answer, Dax pounded a fist on the dashboard. He twisted toward her, his sharp fangs exposed. Kudos to her, she didn’t cringe.
“Is it me? Did I do something?”
He spit out his concerns. If he didn’t, he worried he might explode. And when vampires exploded, bad shit happened. “Exactly how many knobs have you polished?”
“What?” Her voice rose so high it was squeaky. “Speak English.”
“How many males have you blown? Sucked? Tromboned?” He fixed his gaze on the road again. “Wait. Don’t answer. I don’t care.” He stroked a hand through his hair.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes. No. You have a way of making me stupid.”
“You’re my first. How’d I do?”
Dax white-knuckled the wheel, gritting his teeth, mumbling, “Great.”
“Online porn is very instructional. I Googled the best recipe for Denver omelets, herbs to relieve headaches, and how to give a blowjob. Do you have any special requests?”
For whatever crazy reason he didn’t feel like exploring, her answer soothed his anger. He returned to a silent sulk.
Obviously, Chiara couldn’t stand the quiet because she chattered again. “You don’t understand. After you saved me from the car, you were my hero. For years, I drew on an image of you to make me brave. You helped me survive when I was alone.”
Dax rubbed a hand over his stubbled goatee. “Not me, Chiara. Some fantasy you created. I see how you look at me. Dreamy-eyed. I’m not anyone’s hero. I’ve done bad things. You need to get over me because I’m an asshole.”
“Yes, but you’re my asshole.”
“Never. I belong to no one. Never will. When we get to Scath, you need to forget about me. Plenty of heroes pass through the stronghold. I’m not one of them.”
Chiara cocked her head to the side, her gaze a warning. “I’m pretty tough, vampire, but if you push me away long enough and hard enough, you could lose me.”
Dax swallowed hard at the thought but pushed it away. “Best thing for you. Stay far away from me because you’re a good human.”
“You know nothing about me. I wish I were good.” She wrung her fingers together in her lap. “I may not go around giving random guys blowjobs, but…”
When Dax opened his mouth as if to stop her, Chiara held up a hand. “But I’m not good either. I’ve killed.”
****
Roarkgot his wish. Karth took him to the Arisen Dawn garrison. Now, he eyed the next challenger, a wiry ylve with lean muscle. Though inches shorter and pounds lighter, the breed could be dangerous.
While the guy circled around on the mat, he chattered. “So, you’re a shifter. What sort? I can’t tell from your aura. Nobody here can.”
“Yeah? Sorry.” Roark pivoted, always facing his opponent.
“You’re not sharing? What region in Scath you from? North Shelters?”
“My biz.” Roark made a grab for the ylve’s legs.Yep. He was slippery, easily jumping out of the way.
