Page 47 of Bite at First Sight

He shifted so he could raise his other arm to point. “Here.”

She scooted up further on the bed and pressed the leather ball into his bad hand. “Squeeze,” she commanded softly but sternly.

As he complied, she put firm pressure on the knotted muscle in his forearm, working at the tension with a rhythmic motion. Rafe didn’t know what felt more wonderful, her ministrations on his arm or the light brush of her breast against his shoulder.

“Now, release.”

His grip loosened on the ball and a measure of tension in his hand bled away. Cassandra then pressed harder on the knot, deepening the pressure…and the pleasure.

“Squeeze again.”

I could think of something much better to squeeze, he told her silently. As if to torment him, her breast pressed more firmly against his shoulder. Rafe’s fist clenched on the ball as he warred with the urge to roll over and pull her into his arms.

She had him repeat the action four more times. The tightness and pain had nearly vanished.

“Your magic has prevailed again, Querida,” he whispered, eyeing her in the mirror.

“I told you before, it isn’t magic,” Cassandra retorted before she noticed the teasing glint in his eye. Softening her tone, she added, “Besides, even with the cannabis and massage, the pain will return, though I have a few ideas on how to combat it and speed your healing.”

He raised a brow at her determined tone. “Oh, you do?”

“Yes. First off, you need rest. I know you have been busy looking after your people, but I think it would do you more good to allow yourself enough respite to heal.” As if to fortify the temptation of her words, her hands trailed up and down his back in a decadently soothing caress. “Therefore, you will feed from me tonight so that you may stay home.”

Rafe sucked in a breath at the thought of once more tasting her sweet blood. Her heady scent of rose petals and woman made his lust rise to a furious peak. “That sounds tempting… Are your other ideas so pleasant?”

“I’m afraid not,” she said ruefully, continuing to rub his back and shoulders. “I’ve also brought up more laudanum.”

He groaned. “I was afraid you would save the worst for last.”

“Well, as I said, you need to rest,” she said firmly. “The medicine will help you sleep.”

Ah, but sleep was the last thing on his mind. Unfortunately, her logic was more than inarguable. “These are the doctor’s orders then?”

“They are.”

Rafe sighed. “Very well, I suppose I have no choice.”

“Which would you like first?”

You, Rafe said silently. The truth of that word rang loudly in his mind, body, heart, and whatever remained of his blackened soul. He wanted her. Wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in the world. And he was beginning to suspect and hope she wanted him too.

But taking her wouldn’t be right, not when her future was so uncertain and not when he was still a cripple, unable to hold her completely and worship her body in the manner she deserved.

“Rafe?” Her sultry voice brought him back to the present.

“The laudanum,” he rasped. With the magnitude of his arousal, there was no way he’d be able to resist her once his fangs were in her neck, pain or no pain. Being drugged was the only solution.

Cassandra’s welcome warmth left the bed. Rafe rolled on his side and leaned up on his elbow to watch her. She froze as her hand closed over the brown bottle on the end table, green eyes darkening to molten jade as they swept across his bare chest. Her pulse rose along with the scent of feminine arousal. It was all Rafe could do not to lick his lips.

As she poured a spoonful of the vile liquid, he concentrated on the curve of her breasts above her velvet gown. With such a delightful distraction, the medicine was far more palatable than the previous occasion.

Still, Rafe could not conceal his grimace as he swallowed.

“I know it is bitter,” she whispered sympathetically.

He reached up and brushed his knuckles across her cheek, savoring her softness. “Yes, but soon I shall wash it down with something sweet. Turn around so I may help you with your gown before the laudanum takes effect.”

“Yes, that would be most practical.” She complied and gave him a coy glance over her shoulder as he undid the buttons. “I see you are able to use both hands now.”

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