Page 51 of Bite at First Sight

She looked up at the vampire with concern. Beads of sweat gathered on his upper lip and he was frightfully pale. They had been operating every night for the past week, and it was clearly taking a toll on Anthony. He had a pistol at the ready in case she decided to harm Rafe in his vulnerable state, but Cassandra doubted Anthony would be able to aim the weapon properly. All the same, she had nothing but respect for his loyalty.

Guilt knotted her belly. Despite the cost for Anthony, she knew she wouldn’t do anything to slow her progress on Rafe, not when his complete recovery was nearly within her grasp. “What about you? We really should have given you more time to recover, or at least found another donor.”

Anthony shook his head. “We likely could not have found another donor, especially one we can trust. As for waiting, that is entirely out of the question. Rafe must be healed as soon as possible. He has a bad feeling about the current state of events…and so do I.”

“Do you mean Lenore’s disappearance?”

“Among other things…of which I am not at liberty to speak.” He held up a large syringe full of his blood. “You had best get to work before our master rouses.”

“You’re right.” She took a deep breath and made the incision, exposing the extensor tendons.

The moment the inner workings of Rafe’s arm were revealed, the rest of the world fell away. Time ceased to exist as Cassandra put all of her concentration into her work, cutting, probing, and applying Anthony’s blood.

When the last cut had knit together, she wiped the blood away and exhaled. As always, primal triumph surged through her body. It was done, and God willing, she had been successful.

Rafe stirred, dark lashes lifting to reveal his piercing amber gaze. “Querida,” he whispered in a sultry, decadent voice. “Quiero hacerte el amor.”

Cassandra wobbled on weak knees. “I-I beg your pardon?”

He blinked and rubbed his eyes. “I apologize, Lady Rosslyn. I was dreaming. Are you finished now?”

“Yes.” Unable to help herself, she ran a hand through his hair.

Rafe raised both arms and spread them wide. “Amazing. I can move them equally now.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Although…I can’t yet feel either limb.”

Cassandra’s heart fluttered at his smile. “I suppose we had best get you upstairs now so that Anthony may seek his meal.” If he has the strength, she added silently.

As if he sensed her worry, Anthony gave her a stern look before hauling Rafe up and out of his seat. Unwilling to leave the care of her patient solely to another, Cassandra carefully ducked under Rafe’s shoulder and locked her arm around his waist. Together, she and Anthony led him down the hall and into the bedchamber.

“I’ve never been so coddled,” Rafe murmured as they laid him on the bed.

Anthony chuckled, but Cassandra saw that he was paler than before and his breath came in pants of exertion.

She turned to face him. “I think you need to feed right away. You won’t make it past the street in your state.”

Anthony raised a brow. “Are you offering?”

“You had better not be,” Rafe growled from the bed and struggled to sit up, wincing in pain as the drugs wore off.

She shook her head. “Of course not. I was merely suggesting he feed from Mrs. Smythe. I know you consider it to be bad manners, but this is an emergency and she should not be ill-affected.”

Anthony nodded. “Very well, as I am already tupping her, a little bite shouldn’t be too much more of a breach in propriety.”

Cassandra’s jaw dropped, but before she could respond, the vampire departed from the room, leaving her alone with Rafe…who was still staring at her intently.

“You care for the welfare of my people,” he said softly.

Her mouth went dry at the silken caress of his voice. “Of course I do.” Before she lost herself in his eyes, she changed the subject. “How are you feeling?”

“The medicine has made me quite dizzy, though I’m afraid my muscles are already tightening up.” His stare intensified. “Are you able to attend to my other treatment now?”

Was it her imagination, or was there heated interest in his gaze? Perhaps this was the time to venture further.

Before her courage could abandon her, she answered, “Yes, but first I need assistance with my gown. It was difficult to move and reach the proper angle the last time.”

At the mere mention of the last time, her face heated and she turned her back to him. After the previous surgery she’d massaged him on the bed to better reach the muscles on his shoulder blades. His low sounds of pleasure had driven her mad with desire. Desire that remained unfulfilled when she put him to sleep with the laudanum.

Now she would see if she could tempt him further.

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