Lorn Read online

  “No. They wouldn’t celebrate your loss. You’re being dramatic.” He grimaced. “They’re too pissed that we were attacked.”

  “What about Veso? Did he get away? I forgot to ask Lorn. He knew you were up here waiting for us so we didn’t talk much.”

  “No. They must have killed him.”

  It hurt to hear that news. Veso had been a jerk to her but she’d begrudgingly respected him. He shouldn’t have died that way. “I feel guilty. I said some things I didn’t mean about him to those bastards who attacked us. They told me some of their friends were playing with him but I acted like I didn’t care and hoped he’d die. The idiot master thought the clan would believe Veso and I were lovers and had run away together. I’d hoped he’d gotten away though, or killed the Vampires who’d attacked him.”

  “I’m sure he’d have understood. We say things we don’t mean under pressure.”

  Her father didn’t really understand and she didn’t have the heart to tell him everything. Then she’d have to admit what she’d done by biting into the Vampire to survive. “Let’s go find Lorn.”

  She turned away and walked in the direction Lorn had gone, her father staying close. They located him a few hundred yards away, where he waited under a tree. He stepped forward, looking tense and ready to fight.

  “Take care of her,” Davis rasped. “You’ll be hearing from me. Keep your phone charged and check your texts often. I’ll let you know if anyone becomes suspicious.”

  Kira didn’t miss the way Lorn’s eyebrows arched in surprise. She approached him. “Let’s go back inside. It’s dangerous if someone sees me with you.”

  He clasped her hand and led her back to the den. They didn’t speak until he had them locked inside. “I expected your father to protest you staying with me.”

  “We had a little talk. I trust you with my life. That’s what matters most to him.”

  “He didn’t warn you about me?”

  “Of course he did.”

  They studied each other and Lorn frowned. “So why are you here? He isn’t pleased.”

  “This is my decision, not his. I’ve made it. I want to stay with you for as long as it doesn’t put you in danger. He promised to let us know if you are. I’ll leave when that happens.”

  “You’re not going to that other clan.” His voice deepened. “You’ll stay with me until you have total control when you feed from the vein, or you no longer need to.”

  “Okay.”

  “You don’t plan to argue with me?” He seemed stunned.

  “I understand what happens to me when the bloodlust takes over. I’d be really upset if I fed from some stranger and he fucked me while I was out of it.”

  His mouth compressed into a tight line.

  Kira decided to be blunt. She had nothing to lose. “I wouldn’t be upset if that happened between us.”

  Lorn’s eyes widened and he sucked in a sharp breath.

  “I saw how you reacted to me.” Her gaze lowered to the front of his pants, then jerked up to his face. “It’ll be okay with me if you ever lose control and take me.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  “I’m being honest.”

  He took a step closer. “Kira.”

  “Should I lie? I’ve had feelings for you forever, so if you were to touch me that way, at least it’s something I’ve always wanted.”

  “Kira, stop.”

  “I’d prefer that I’m with it all the way if you take me to bed, but I wouldn’t be upset if I came out of the bloodlust to find us in the middle of something.”

  Lorn spun around to give her his back.

  It hurt. She was giving him permission to fuck her and yet he still rejected her. She rapidly blinked back tears. It was the story of her life.

  His hands fisted at his sides.

  “You need to eat, Lorn.” She turned away and took in the kitchen setup. “I’ll make you something.”

  “I ate before you woke. Are you hungry again?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “Come here.”

  She glanced over her shoulder and watched Lorn take a seat. He scooted the chair around to face her. She turned and approached him. “What?”

  “Straddle my lap, facing me. We should work on your control. I’m going to teach you how to bite without causing pain, and how to close wounds while you’re not in bloodlust.”

  “Shouldn’t I face away from you like last time?”

  “I’m not giving you my arm.” He tilted his head, revealing the line of his throat. “You need to learn.”

  Kira hesitantly straddled his lap. It was so intimate. Her hands opened on his chest and she peered into his beautiful eyes. “Okay.”

  “How do you feel?”

  She wasn’t about to admit she wanted to kiss him. “Fine.”

  “Good.” Lorn licked his lips. “Do that.”

  She ran her tongue over her bottom and top lip.

  “A Vamp’s saliva can heal. You want to lick the wound after you bite. It will seal it and rapidly hide the mark. They make certain their fangs don’t tear the skin by just making two small holes. A tear takes longer to heal or leaves scars. Don’t do that. You bite straight down, lock your fangs in place, and only move the bottom of your jaw to suck. It’s how they get away with feeding from unwilling victims without raising suspicion of their existence. “

  She winced. “Okay.”

  “That was a poor choice of words. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s accurate though. I need blood to survive.”

  “For now. My blood is going to fix you. I have faith.”

  She really hoped that was true. “How do I bite into you without causing pain?”

  “It’s about gentleness. You’ll use the tip of your tongue to locate the vein, and your sense of smell. It should come naturally. You’ll carefully touch your fangs against me and slowly press down until the skin gives way. Are you ready to try?”

  “I guess.” She peered at his neck.

  He gripped her ribs and pulled her closer. “Just relax. You can’t damage me, Kira. I’m tough. This is about learning.”

  She’d hate to cause Lorn any pain. She leaned in closer and closed her eyes, inhaling his scent. The hunger that arose had nothing to do with blood. It was more about sex. She was on Lorn’s lap and he held her so close.

  “Lick me,” he demanded.

  It wasn’t his throat she wanted but she followed his instructions, hesitantly parting her lips and finding his skin with her tongue. He tasted a little salty but good. Her gums ached and she felt her fangs slide down. A new awareness of him began to surface. She could hear his heartbeat. It was a little rapid and it grew louder.

  One of his hands slid from her ribs to her back, stroking her spine. “Gently bite.”

  His husky voice did things to her insides. She could now sense his blood just under her tongue. She pressed her fangs against his skin, slightly adjusted to the spot that felt right, and bit down slowly.

  He tensed a little but didn’t growl or jerk away. At the first hint of blood, she moaned, latching on. He tasted incredible.

  Her mouth fastened onto him more securely and Kira felt her fangs and gums tingle. Lorn’s blood was warm, as was his skin where she touched him, and her body responded full force. Her nipples beaded and her pussy throbbed. She wiggled on his lap, getting closer.

  Kira dug her fingers into his flesh, gripping him tighter. His dick hardened. She could feel it trapped between their bodies. The stiff length of his shaft dug into her belly and she rubbed against him shamelessly.

  His breath hitched and his blood pumped faster, filling her throat and stomach. It wasn’t enough. She needed him inside her, touching her. Frustration rose and she stopped feeding, removing her fangs. She remembered to lick the wounds she’d created, running her tongue over the bite marks.

  “More,” he urged.

  Kira refused, and leaned back a little to look at his face. His eyes were closed, his face flushed. H