She whispered, “I don’t think you’ll enjoy that like you think.”
Trailing soft kisses along her neck, the curve of her jaw, he groaned, “I don’t plan on tasting you the way you think.”
She really didn’t know. And he wasn’t about to explain what he needed. He’d been seconds away from killing Blayk, even knowing he held the answers he needed. Most of the feedings before were a blur, but he knew he’d sucked a few dry and crushed a few more as he took what he needed. Not that he regretted killing the ones that changed him, but he wouldn’t risk her.
Her pulse skipped a beat and accelerated. Lips turned up in a devious grin, he stole one last kiss behind her ear, savoring the taste of her skin in an entirely non-bloodthirsty, and purely aroused desire, then pulled away and downed the last drop from his mug.
The spark left her eyes as she watched him feign strength, but she could tell this dose of blood left him less satisfied than the last, as if the blood was nothing more than a Band-Aid attempting to cover a gunshot wound. Saying nothing, she scowled and reached for his empty mug. He shook his head. “You don’t have to wait on me. I got it.”
Sliding his legs out of bed, he held the sheet over the goods and glanced around for pants.
She reached for the mug again. “I’m not waiting on you, I’m not ready for a show quite yet.”
A wicked grin teasing at his lips, he pounced on her word choice. “Yet? So maybe later? Like, in a few minutes or a few days?”
“Nice try. We’re landing soon. Get dressed.”
An extra swing to her hips, she closed the door behind her. His center of gravity shifted with the hum of the engine as they began the landing sequence.
Adair had no idea what was going on in his body. He could feel it getting worse with each passing hour. The vampire was ready to take over, but the demon hunter was refusing to let go.
Chapter7
Night thick on the air, the wintry breeze was welcome. Her reason for being here? Not so welcome. Or not so refreshing anyway.
Stepping onto the concrete floor of the hangar, Adair looked back. As he exited the jet, Bennett rubbed a hand over his face, wiping a sheen of sweat from his brow. He’d just fed; he should look better.
Behind him, Ryan’s voice was laced with gravel. “Let’s move.”
Bennett sniped back, “Fuck off.”
Softer, Ryan asked, “Whoa, sorry man. Seriously, Bennett, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said, sneering.
Astrid followed behind while Bodie locked up behind them. As Bennett stepped onto the concrete, his foot stumbled beneath him. Adair reached him in a flash, wrapping her arm around his middle to steady him.
Grumbling, he righted himself and shook off the assist. Stalking toward the SUV, he dropped into the seat and leaned against the window with his hand over his face.
Astrid caught up to Adair and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I guess I don’t know much about the change. Is this normal?”
“No,” Adair whispered. “I don’t know much about the change either. My own is a big blur. Lots of blood and sleep, then I remember coming around with a desperate thirst, but there was this strength, a power coursing through me that seems to wane in Bennett when it should grow stronger.”
Expression grim, Astrid nodded. “Maybe this is why demon hunters can’t be changed.”
Bodie caught up to them and linked hands with Astrid. “If this guy was so sure he could change Bennett… I’m not one for prophecies, but if this is supposed to be some prophecy unfolding… We’re missing something.”
They were running out of time. Or maybe Calloway was wrong.
The drive along the dark coastal road was interminable. Even when they had first met, Bennett was a mountain. Tough, sweet, and had charmed her with an effortless grin.
But it seemed the more he weakened, the more he pushed her away. She didn’t know what to make of him. Weak, pasty, and exhausted when he should be high on the intensity of his new abilities. As they turned down the long drive, the ocean glowing softly in the moonlight beyond, Bennett stirred.
“We’re here,” she whispered, grazing her fingertips over his temple, brushing his hair out of his face. He was burning up. Cringing, he pulled away.
Adair’s stomach churned as they pulled into the driveway, seeing Quinn waiting on the front step, a baby monitor hooked to her belt. Apparently, Ryan was with Quinn and they had a newborn. When had that happened? Last she’d heard, Bennett and Quinn were on track to get married, set to live the life he always wanted.
As they parked, Quinn came rushing to them. She caught Bennett as he stumbled out of the car. “Oh god Bennett, I’m so sorry. Come on.”
