Page 35 of Bleeding Love

He let out a low, displeased sound, so I settled against his chest with a sigh. He was like a cat that demanded attention when he wanted, the way he wanted. I was pretty sure he and Nym would like each other—unless they killed each other first.

“I thought you were the tether,” I replied. “Which is one of the reasons I tried to kill you. That and because I thought you’d eat me now that you had a taste of my blood.”

“Not because I touched you?” he asked in a low, harsh voice.

“No, Roman,” I sighed, locking my eyes on the ceiling. “I’ve had much worse done to me by men and women.” His fingers dug into my skin and a low growl reverberated through his chest. I cleared my throat, and he instantly loosened his grip. “I hoped that whoever did the spell was just as arrogant as most witches were. They tend to focus their magic above ground, so I figured I could get out if I went under it. But that would have required blowing the house up, probably part of the street too, so I was disinclined to do that unless I had no other options.”

“Because of the humans?” Roman asked, and I gave him a sharp look, trying to keep my heart steady.

“Of course not. I don’t care about humans,” I replied too quickly. He narrowed his eyes. “I wasn’t in a hurry, is all. I had the hunters after me. It was a wasted effort as long as you were amused with me and kept your hands—and fangs—to yourself. But then you put the cuffs on me, so I had to figure out how to get them off and that’s when your…friend showed up.”

Roman was quiet for a while, standing perfectly still. When he spoke again, his voice was raw.

“You were planning to stay? If I didn’t feed on you?”

I looked at him but he was staring at my neck, no doubt seeing painfully clear how the blood coursed through my veins. His eyes didn’t change color, as if he wasn’t tempted at all.

“Yes, it was the best option for me. And I was…curious.” At that, he finally looked up, studying my face. “You reminded me of myself, in a way.” He arched an eyebrow, waiting quietly, but I could almost feel the impatience seeping out of him. “I used to feel empty for the longest time. Nothing to do, nothing to live for, no one to care about. I just…reacted to danger and pleasure, then returned to the numbness that filled me. I suppose it’s bound to happen to anyone who lives for so long. Things get…gray, repetitive, meaningless. But one day I woke up and just…decided I wanted more. More than just existing. More than just dying. More than just being filled with hate and fear and thirst for revenge. So every time I come back, I try to live my life like it would be my last. No matter who hunts me or tries to kill me. No matter what they call me.” My voice shook, and I gasped in surprise, realizing that my vision was blurry. I looked away before Roman noticed the tears, and to my relief, he didn’t stop me.

His hands tightened around me, and he nuzzled his face against my neck.

“When we are done here,” he said against my skin and goosebumps spread all over. “I want you to come with me.”

“Come with you where?” I scoffed, grateful for the change of topic. “What about your Master? I thought you were waiting…”

“My Master doesn’t matter right now,” he said and the sharp tone of his voice made me look at him. He refused to meet my gaze, focusing instead on kissing my neck. “I know a place that nobody knows about, not even my Master. You will be safe there.Wewill be safe there.”

Pulling back, he slid a finger under my chin, nudging it until I was facing him. His eyes were darker than before, hungrier, gleaming with that possessive glint that I was afraid of. Yet his smile was gentle, understanding, if a little somber.

“Roman,” I breathed, and he tore his eyes from my lips to meet my gaze instead. “Don’t fall in love with me.”

His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed, but after a few moments, he nodded.

“Alright,” he whispered before kissing me.

His kiss was slow and curious, like he was memorizing everything about it. He didn’t try to deepen it, and when I started struggling for breath, he set me down on the ground and got up.

“I’m going to hunt,” he announced with his back to me.

I frowned, pushing to my feet. “It’s almost daybreak.”

“I’ll be back before dawn,” he replied, still not looking at me.

“You can drink from me,” I said before I thought better of it.

Roman finally stopped fidgeting with his clothes, turning to face me. The pleased smile on his face had my heart lurching in my chest. He drew closer, running his fingers over my neck as if trying to decide where to sink his teeth in. I held my chin up even though I already regretted opening my mouth.

“As tempting as that is,” he said, leaning in, “you will need your strength.” He pressed his lips against my neck, keeping them there as if marking the spot. “Don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of chances to do that later.”

Before I could think of something to reply, he was gone. The flame fluttered at the movement, and I sighed before returning to my seat on the floor.

Chapter 17

Roman

“Areyouready?”

I looked over my shoulder as Celeste joined me at the edge of the tunnel, her eyes darting to the last rays of sunshine that grew dimmer and dimmer while the sun dipped behind the trees. It wouldn’t be long now, the falling of night. The time of monsters and all things evil.

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