Page 70 of Claimed By Blood

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy surrendering control to a demanding lover as much as the next woman. But there’s something unexpectedly addictive about being in control of a strong, smart, sexy man.

Especially when he’s tied up.

My mind flashes back to the memory of when we consummated our bond for the first time. When Silas tied him up for me to feed on…

Nope. I’ve got to stop thinking about that. Noha is right there…

I draw back with a lick and a kiss to my puncture marks, and let myself slide back down his chest until I’m curled up on his lap.

He hasn’t eaten yet, and I frown.

“I’ll be back,” I murmur, slipping from his arms. “Do you want anything specific for breakfast?”

Finn shrugs. “Whatever’s got plenty of protein, and iced coffee, if they’ve got it.”

Nodding, I head over to the fridge. It takes an embarrassingly long time to identify what half of the food is—in my defence, I’ve been on a diet of blood for centuries—but I eventually return with the promised coffee and a pre-made bacon and potato omelette that heats up quickly in the small oven.

“Thanks,” Finn smiles, pressing a kiss to my cheeks as I sit back down with his prize.

Immy has returned in my absence, sipping her blood carefully from a mug.

“So you’re not bonded to Samuel?” she asks Noha curiously.

The other woman shakes her head. “I didn’t want it. To me, marriage before God is a deeper commitment, and I value my independence too much to have my husband sitting in on my thoughts.” She laughs. “What if he annoyed me? I wouldn’t even be able to call him names in my head without him knowing!”

Finn leans down to me. “It’s not so bad… but then again, Evie’s never called me bad names in her head.”

“You don’t hear thoughts so much as feel each other’s emotions,” I murmur. “And most of the time they’re background noise—something you can ignore unless they’re particularly strong. But it’s not for everyone.”

If I’m honest, without Cain forcing my six current bonds on me, I likely never would’ve bonded anyone again. Especially after feeling the bond to Frost break.

So yes, I understand her hesitation more than I want to admit.

I’m just glad that—although my sire definitely didn’t intend it to be this way—my thralls are decent men.

I glance at Finn, who’s raising his eyebrow at me, no doubt reading my feelings on the situation.

Okay, maybe he’s more than decent.

“You two are so sweet together it’s rotting my teeth,” Immy complains. “I can feel how much you care. It’s adorable.”

Noha looks up from the organiser she was studying. “Is that your gift?” she asks. “Samuel said all the first-generations have extra powers, but I always thought he was joking with me.”

“Yeah, we have gifts.” Immy grimaces. “Mine is more of a headache, though. I feel what other people feel. Evie has supercharged healing blood. Morwen can track anyone—which is how we found you guys.”

“That’s so interesting.” Noha’s eyes glimmer with unasked questions, but she doesn’t press us, which I appreciate.

I’m still not used to my gift being talked about so openly.

“I was going to make a run into the city after this,” Noha repeats for Finn and Immy’s benefit. “It’s mostly to pick up blood, but I wanted to check out one of the new bars which opened recently. Would you all like to come with me? Your other friends are invited too, of course.”

“Girls and omegas only,” Finn protests. “The others are all buzz kills.”

“You should bring them all,” Noha insists. “It will be good for them to see the city and leave the base for a while.”

I understand that she’s being nice, but too big a group could draw the wrong kind of attention. I don’t say it, but I have a feeling the others are thinking the same thing, because Immy quickly agrees with Finn.

“I think we’ll have more fun with just us four. No offence, Evie, but some of your men are total buzz-kills.”

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