Page 89 of Always Eros

“You are?”

“I am.” As more of the haze lifts away, I realize how amazing I feel. “Wow. I feel so good. Strong and rested.”

“Yes. That is what happens. The noise is because of your enhanced hearing. It will mellow out soon. You are strong and you always will be.”

“I’m never gonna get sick or old?”

“Never.”

“But I have to drink blood now?” As if on cue, my stomach rumbles loudly, almost painfully.

“Especially in the beginning, but you can feed from me.”

I nod, trying to wrap my head around this concept. “Did we win?”

“Yes. Because of you, actually.”

“What do you mean?”

“When the vampire attacked you…” He pauses, shaking his head. “A blind rage took over me. I ripped through them until Yves calmed me down. We have their leader locked in the basement.”

“Badass.” I cough again. “My throat feels so dry.”

“You’ve been through a lot.” He touches my neck, which feels tender. “You’ll be entirely healed and changed by morning.”

I nod, looking down at my hands. I still look the same. At least from what I can tell.

“No, actually,” Eros says, clearly hearing my thoughts. “You should look in the mirror.”

“How did you do that? Hear my thoughts.”

“Because I am your maker, Justice. Our connection is like no other. You will always be tied to me.” He cards his fingers through my hair. “We are mates, lovers for eternity, and forever connected through our blood.”

That sounds hotter than it probably should. “Okay.”

“Are you frightened? Can I answer anything for you?”

“I’m not scared. I think…” I shrug. “Maybe a part of me wanted this. I knew I wanted to be with you. I figured we had time for the rest of it, but I was impulsive and jumped into the fight. I couldn’t just stand there and watch you struggle. Are you mad at me?”

Eros chuckles. “My darling, my treasure. I could never be mad at you. What you did was brave and so beautiful. You scared the hell out of me though.”

“I’m sorry. I often do things without thinking them through.”

“You and Thorn have something in common then.”

I laugh softly, playing with his fingers. “What happens now?”

“That is up to you.”

“Okay. What do you want to happen?”

“I want to take care of you, Justice. I want to move you into my home and wake up with you every day. I want to smother you with all the love my heart has hoarded for centuries. I want to make love to you until we’re exhausted. I want to feed you. Bathe you. Adore you. I want to stare at your lovely face and taste your delicious kiss. I want everything.”

My stomach flutters, but the telltale warmth I usually feel in my cheeks when I’m overwhelmed is absent. “One thing at a time. What do you want most?”

“You to live here with me. I don’t think I could bear returning you to the safe house. Unless you don’t mind me sitting outside your window all night.”

Smiling, I shake my head. “I wouldn’t want that. But… isn’t it too soon? What if you don’t like me once you get to know me?”

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