Page 68 of The Vampire's Vow

“Try me.”

“You can choose to bond with me,” he says slowly, hardly daring to meet my eyes as heat rushes to my face.

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

Luci doesn’t respond, which only has my cheeks burning with even more intensity.

“Blood it is,” I say, forcing myself back onto my feet as I step closer to Luci.

“Are you sure? I can’t promise what will happen.”

“I’m sure,” I answer, raising my wrist toward his mouth.

“No, not like that. I don’t want to risk draining you.”

“Absolutely not,” I say shaking my head.

“I’m not asking to drink your period blood, Evi,” Luci says with a strangled laugh that turns to a cough. “I may be a vampire, but even I know that’s a bit too far. I need fresh blood; would you allow me to cut you?”

I never thought I’d be relieved for someone to ask to cut me, but when the alternative is far nastier, I can honestly say I am.

“Okay.”

Luci nods toward his left hand, and I raise my own wrist to it. He gives me one last look before slicing his nail across my skin.

I’m almost shocked by how easy my skin breaks. At first nothing happens, and then blood begins to bead before trickling down my wrist.

“Smear it across my lips,” Luci commands before pressing his mouth shut tight.

I do as he says, my blood staining his mouth a deep red before I quickly step back.

Luci licks his lips, and almost instantly I see a shift in his demeanor. His eyes brighten, flashing hungrily, and his sallow skin almost seems to warm with life once again.

“Do you need more?”

“Yes.” His voice comes out in a low rumble, and I step closer, holding my wrist out to him. “No, Evi! Step back!”

I freeze.

“You said you needed more.”

Luci’s body suddenly trembles, and he throws his head back, his muscles tensing as they strain against the chains. He lets out an ear-shattering roar, and I scramble back, tripping over myself to get away, as he throws his entire weight against his bonds.

The metal whines, slowly bending to his will, but it’s still not enough. Luci’s chest heaves as he drops back onto his heels to rest, sweat beading across his skin.

“Okay, now, before the beast surfaces again,” Luci says, his tone urgent. He presses his lips together, shutting his eyes as I hurry to obey.

I brush my wrist across his lips, just barely managing to yank my hand back before he tries to sink his teeth into it. Again, he licks the blood from his lips, and this time, it’s enough.

His expression tenses, his muscles rippling with power as his whole body seems to take on a whole new level of strength. Luci bares his teeth in a snarl before throwing himself against the chains.

They’re torn from the walls, the heavy metal links clattering to the floor as Luci’s is thrown forward onto his hands and knees.

It’s only now that I realize this might be my last moment on earth, as I watch Luci’s back move as he breathes. Slowly, he raises his head to look up at me, a slow grin pulling at the corner of his mouth.

My mouth goes dry as I wait to see what his next move will be.

Pushing himself up off the floor, Luci stands completely naked as he towers over me. The next second, he’s closed the distance between us, pulling me flat against him as his hand cradles the side of my head.

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