Page 11 of Prey

Chapter 6

Marko

To say I was addicted to the taste of her wasn’t enough. I was consumed by her sweetness. Crazy to the point of madness, just to her moans. It was one thing to tempt the killer in me, quite another to become the obsession of my monster.

Even as I paced the grate outside the tunnel entrance, I knew it was pointless. I felt trapped in between where I needed to go and where the vampire in me wished to be. Hunter was home. I could feel it in my blood that now resided inside of Tessa. From distraught to somewhat peaceful, she clung to him for stability. The desired effects I’d wanted to get out of the exchange didn’t happen. My meal didn’t bend to me and although I’d heard of it happening before, I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined it happening to me. And from her, of all people. It pissed me off. Made the challenge even greater. To kill her wasn’t enough. There was nothing satisfying in that. I wanted her to love me before I drained her. To…

A frustrated sound had me kicking at the dirt. Women fell in love with me all the time. Maybe I clung to that part of humanity the most. The beast within was the one who twisted the sweet act into something that fit who I’d now become. I’d never once felt bad for the murders I’d committed and I wasn’t about to start now. So, what was I still doing here, pacing around a clearing just outside of the homes that surrounded me? Why did I leave to begin with?

I slowed as pieces began to fit into the puzzle of my mind. For so long, I’d done things my way. Apparently, with the boredom, it wasn’t working anymore. If I tried to be genuine, to show emotion and act as though I truly cared for her, perhaps I could get her to ease to the influence of the bond for it to really snap into effect. Wouldn’t it be the ultimate victory? My head shook while I battled with how stupid that sounded. No. It would be pathetic. I didn’t act out anything for anyone. Especially not a human.

Time passed and I pushed from the curb I’d been sitting on. There was a calmness within. It told me Tessa was probably deep in sleep and I couldn’t stand it. To know I was out here obsessing over her and she was oblivious to it enraged me. I felt myself walking back toward her house before I processed doing so. To question whether I lost my mind was pointless. My actions proved I had.

Lights flickered on as I passed a house and my eyes narrowed. If I kept up this weird stalkerish behavior, someone was bound to call the cops on me. The last thing I needed was to worry about human laws. Especially so close to the big news.

The room I knew to be Hunter’s was illuminated from the inside and I could feel myself being pulled in that direction. The blinds were closed and my jaw tightened in aggravation. I kept walking, making my way to the front door. I adjusted the tie to the new suit I wore and cursed myself for the millionth time for not staying in my room. My hand rose to knock and I almost rolled my eyes as the door swung open. Staring down the barrel of a gun wasn’t amongst my favorite things, but I wasn’t afraid.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Hunter. Is Tessa home?”

Blue eyes glared at me as he pulled the hammer on the back. “It’s almost one in the morning. She’s sleeping. What is your business with her? And why at this hour?”

I put my hands in my pockets, raising my eyebrow. “It’s one in the morning and I’m here to see Tessa. Our business is our own. If you don’t mind, I’ll just wake her up myself.”

The barrel pushed closer to my face. “I don’t think so. She’s not feeling well. Besides, I’ve seen you before. Last night. You were walking by.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I was making sure she made it home safely from choir practice. When she saw you, I decided to let you two have your moment and I left. Now, I’m here to see her again and you’re going to move out of the way and let me do that.”

Confusion and uncertainty pulled at his expression. I knew he was questioning whether I spoke the truth.

Footsteps sounded in the distance and my smile appeared. Her pulse became mine, racing in my chest as she got closer. I closed my eyes, willing it to slow. To calm. I knew it would have the same effect on hers.

“If you don’t mind,” I said, nudging my head to the side. “Tessa would like to see me now. Wouldn’t you, mon chaton?” My voice was just loud enough for her to hear. The footsteps continued and Hunter turned, giving me a view of her in a long white nightgown. Her dark hair was in a mass of frizzy, soft curls around her. Her skin looked radiant in the light and I knew it was because of my blood. A weird tingling erupted in my stomach and I pushed my way past Hunter, no longer noticing he was there. Tessa licking her lips brought me closer. Fear was present, but something else. Something I couldn’t quite figure out, nor cared to. All I wanted was to be back on top of her. Back tasting her mouth as I breathed in her scent.

“I’ve come to apologize for my behavior earlier. I’m sorry. I should have never reacted the way I did. I’m ready to make it up to you. I owe you that much.” My hand outstretched and I knew I wasn’t quite making sense to her, but I didn’t mean to. What I spoke of was for Hunter’s benefit. I wanted him hurt. To be…jealous of something that didn’t truly exist between Tessa and me.

A hand gripped my arm and I felt the strength behind the pull trying to turn me around. It failed. My head cocked to the side and I slowly stepped to face him. “Yes, Hunter?”

Whatever he was going to say didn’t come. More confusion pulled at his features and he lowered the gun. “I don’t think I got your name.”

“Marko Delacroix,” Tessa said, lowly. “It’s okay, Hunter. We’ll just go talk in my room.”

“Who is this guy?” he asked, stepping in closer to her. “You never mentioned him. Is he your—”

“Boyfriend?” I cut in. “Why, yes, I am. I have to admit, I’m a little upset she hadn’t mentioned that part already.”

As my eyes connected with hers, she lowered them instantly. I could see the uncertainty emerge within her. Felt it as she tried to decide the best route to take.

“I didn’t find the right time. I…” Her eyes squinted and she shook her head. “Marko, can we talk in my room?”

“I’d love to.” My attention went to Hunter long enough to throw him a smile. The upset expression only had mine growing. “It was a pleasure meeting you,” I said, turning my back and heading down the hallway. At the smell of Tessa’s room, my cock hardened in anticipation. I continued in and shut the door, locking it. Tears were already pooling in her eyes.

And here I was, facing my biggest challenge concerning prey. A deep breath left me and I lowered to my knees, looking up at her. “Come here. Stand before me.”

“Why did you have to do that?” she rushed out quietly. “Why come back? I begged you.”

“Come,” I said, more forcefully.

In slow steps, she made her way closer. I couldn’t stop from clenching my jaw and jerking her the rest of the way. My face instantly buried in her stomach and I breathed in deeply, letting myself disappear as our heartbeats became one. The act was something I still couldn’t wrap my mind around. It was almost like I’d created something. A new life within someone. I loved it. Basked in the new sensation as it took me over.

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