Page 71 of Last Shot at Love

He wasn’t wrong about that. I might not have known his last name, but I’d already figured out how to drive him wild with just a touch.

“And you arranged for my beautiful ring to be created.” Cerulean held up his hand to admire his wedding band. Then his heated eyes locked with mine. “And you let me put my rings where I wanted them. You let me mark your body as mine.”

I blushed, remembering how it had felt to be bound and bred… and wondering when we could do it again.

Cerulean stroked my cheek. “Beryl, I left the sea to find someone who wouldn’t care what my family name was or the name of my company. I wanted someone to want me for me, not for my money or social standing. I never have to wonder what you wanted, because you claimed me as yours before you knew any of that.”

I hooked my thigh over his hip, loving the feel of skin pressed against bare skin. “I love you.”

Cerulean caught his breath. “I thought you said that out on the sea, but you were on the verge of passing out and I thought maybe you hadn’t meant it or maybe I misheard.”

“When I thought I was dying, it was my biggest regret that I hadn’t told you. I don’t want to waste any more time.” I pressed a hand to either side of his face and pulled his lips to mine. “I love you, Cerulean.”

“I love you, Beryl. I’ve loved you since the moment you opened those beautiful green eyes that very first night.”

Our lips met in a kiss that had my blood and body burning with a different hunger. I wanted his body…

I’m yours. Take what you want, Cerulean’s husky words brushed through my mind.

Curiosity temporarily distracted me from my lust. I’d wanted to ask him when we’d been in the ocean how the mind thing worked, but I’d been too exhausted.

“How can I hear your thoughts in my head?” I asked between placing kisses along his jawline.

“Octopus shifters have telepathic abilities that allow us to communicate underwater. We have to exchange blood, usually by cutting a tentacle and pressing them together, and the link isn’t permanent.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I didn’t expect it to work with you, since it has never worked outside our species before.”

“So exactly how long have you been able to hear my thoughts?” I asked, memories of his random coughs and barks of laughter flashing through my mind.

“Since you first tasted my blood. Your thoughts are adorable and made me feel closer to you, but I know I should have told you sooner.” Cer’s eyes looked everywhere but at me. “Only some things slip through, so I haven’t heard everything. And with time, I can teach you how to control what I can hear.”

I should have been upset, but he couldn’t control what he overheard. Maybe it was good he’d been able to pick up some of my inner thoughts since I’d struggled to open up to him about my feelings.

Which reminded me…

“Cer? Since we’re confessing things… there is something I need to tell you.” I blurted out everything I’d suspected and had confirmed by the therapist.

“I’m not sure if you already know this, but vampires don’t have fated mates—at least not by the traditional shifter standards. And by that, I mean there isn’t one single fated soulmate out there that we need to find, and if we don’t find them, we miss out on love.”

Cerulean nodded, but his brow was creased as he tried to figure out where I was going with this.

“A vampire can claim anyone they want as a mate, but we also have a type of mate called a bloodmate. Sometimes, if a vampire shares blood with a partner, the blood will decide the match is good, and the vampire’s instincts will be driven to complete the bond. When a vampire finds a bloodmate, they can choose to claim the mate, or they can fight their instincts and walk away. If a vampire walks away, it is possible they will find another bloodmate in the future.”

“I’ve never heard of that. It’s very interesting, but I’m not sure I understand what this has to do with us?”

“From what I understand, even though there may be two or three suitable bloodmates for every vampire, it is rare to actually find a bloodmate. It’s almost unheard of to find a bloodmate outside the vampire species.” Pushing him onto his back, I tossed my leg over his hips, straddling him.

“Cerulean.” I rocked along his length.

“Hm?” he groaned.

“You’re my bloodmate.”

His eyes flashed open to lock with mine. “What?”

“I couldn’t understand the odd hunger that you stirred in me. And frankly, my inability to be away from you was worrying me. So I spoke with an expert on vampiric nature and instincts today. She confirmed what I already suspected.” Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Not only are you my claimed mate, but you’re my bloodmate. It gives us a unique connection. I think that’s why your telepathy ability works with me.”

“I was a perfect match for you?” Cerulean’s voice was thick with emotion.

“Yes.” I ground my hips against his length, causing us to moan in unison.

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