Page 56 of Blood Owed (Blood Mafia 1)
“You survived.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask again.
He shifts closer. I push into the bed, trying to distance myself from him. Something about him is inherently more threatening than Colt and Grayson.
Mateo stops. “Are you scared of me, Demi?”
“You’re avoiding the question, Mateo.”
“Hmm, so are you.”
I’m too tired to control my mouth. “At least I’m not afraid to show my face to a human. You must be one ugly mother fucker to hide in the dark.”
Only a soft whoosh of air indicates his rapid movement. By the time I turn my head, he’s looming over me. He’s had me in more vulnerable positions and hasn’t acted on it, so I’m a little alarmed. He’s welcomed me into the Blood Mafia, given me this fancy apartment, and now he’s lurking in my room.
“Are you scared of me, Mateo?”
The vampire places his knees on the bed, slams his hands on either side of my face, and leans over so his nose is barely touching mine. The light is scarce, but there’s enough to cast a dim glow over his face. I can’t make out distinct features, but now I know he’s not missing half of his face or something weird.
“Little birds who taunt the cat get eaten.”
A shiver races down my spine, and my lips curl.
I lift a hand and trace over his cheek with one finger, dragging it slowly across his full lips.
“If you’re offering me oral, you’ll have to say please.”
God, I’m a fucking psycho.
He doesn’t answer for a few seconds, then a soft huff of laughter blows over my skin. “You want me to beg to lick your pussy?”
This time there’s no ignoring the way my body reacts. Mateo inhales and groans deep in his chest. He twirls a strand of my dark hair around his finger and tugs slightly.
I bite back a moan, remembering I am pissed at this vampire. He hasn’t even had the balls to show me his face.
“Turn the light on.”
Mateo goes preternaturally still at my command.
My heartbeat begins to race. Now I’m scared because I sense his slow simmering rage, and it’s fully focused on me.
“You should be more careful with your words. Vampires have been killed for less.”
I swallow, my throat suddenly thick with fear, and I despise how he was able to make me want him and fear him all within the span of a minute.
He tugs on my hair again, then climbs off the bed and leaves the room. Only after he closes the door do the waves of anger subside.
I wakein the morning grumpy and exhausted. I’d fallen into a fitful sleep after berating myself for a few hours. I’d been flirting with enemy number one.
Sitting and stretching my arms overhead, I work the tightness from my body. The rich, bitter aroma of coffee fills my nostrils and takes over my thoughts. Fuck Mateo, I need coffee.
I head into the living room in my soft sleep shorts and tank top. Evelyn is sitting with her ass on my countertop, kicking her legs back and forth as she watches me walk down the hall.
“Good morning, Demetria, I brought you the juice of the Gods.”
I grumble at her and snatch the grande cup from her hands. The coffee is at the perfect temperature for guzzling, so I drink most of it in a few large sips. Evelyn whistles and taps the lid of the other cup.
“I brought backup.”
