Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“I can shield you completely or distance you from the taking and receiving of blood at first so you can slowly get used to it.” Petru made the offer as gently as possible.
A hint of amusement lit up her eyes, turning the jade into a mysterious shade of emerald. Her dark lashes swept down, showing the incredible length and curl, and then she was looking at him solemnly. “I think it best if I know what is going on. I’m quite unexpectedly attracted to you. If I were unaware of what I was doing and I found this practice . . . um . . . erotic, it is possible I could take advantage of you.”
Her lashes swept down and back up again, two thick fans giving the impression of innocent demureness when she was teasing him.
Another first for him. He liked that she was willing to try with him. Even admit she was attracted to him physically.
He did his best to appear stoic and yet give her the impression of amusement, so she knew he was entering into their game together. “I can see how that would be a problem, especially since you are scandalously without proper attire now, and I am equally if not more attracted to you.”
“It’s good to know I’m not alone. It’s unfamiliar territory for me,” she admitted. “I haven’t been exactly wild when it comes to men.”
He caught a note in her voice that gave him pause. She was conveying something important to him, something that she worried and feared he wouldn’t like about her.
“I would be disappointed if you were wild about other men. I have never been wild about other women. In fact, Ku Tappa Kulyak, I have never noticed other women. My oath to you is carved into my back. When our soul is one, I will show it to you.”
Again, her smile came slow, but when it reached her eyes, it changed the jade into that beautiful jeweled color that sent heat pounding through him. A strange roaring, like the heavy rush of the tide, rolled in his ears.
“I think it best if we get on with it,” he murmured, finally, finally, giving in to the temptation to slide his lips just once over her silky hair.
He had long since dried her to make her more comfortable. Safia hadn’t appeared to notice. The pads of her fingers stroking on his jaw were driving him beyond the brink of all rational thought. He was growing desperate for her and had to do something before his brain completely short-circuited.
CHAPTER
9
Petru shifted Safia in his arms, allowing the blanket to pool at her waist. Without material covering her feminine form, the firm muscles played beneath the satin skin, showing the definition easily.
I had no idea a woman could be so beautiful. I noticed your beauty before, when I held you after the vampire had attacked you.
She shook her head, her eyes on his. I was a horrible mess.
You were beautiful then and you are now.
He ran his palm down her arm again and then locked his fingers with hers to bring her hand to his mouth. I do not think I have ever felt anything softer than your skin. Carpathians do not dream, yet I dreamt of you.
Speaking telepathically with Safia was shockingly intimate. That was unexpected as well. He’d been communicating that way with his brethren for hundreds of years and never once had it felt anything but normal and mundane. Being so close to Safia, breathing in her scent, touching her skin, was dangerous to both of them.
Her fingers smoothed back his hair. What did you dream?
My dreams are not fit for your ears, sívamet. Not yet. I will tell them to you when we are bound together properly.
Faint color stole up her neck and into her cheeks. Her jeweled gaze drifted slowly over his face as if committing every detail to memory.
Ku Tappa Kulyak, you must stop looking at me like that.
His thumb of its own accord slid over her tempting lower lip. A knot the size of his fist suddenly developed low in his belly, and his blood began to run very hot, rushing to pool wickedly in his groin.
How am I looking at you?
Her tone was sultry, brushing over his skin like the touch of her fingers on his jaw, producing that same butterfly effect. The knot in his belly grew larger, pushing deeper. She was lethal. Dangerously lethal.
That I belong to you, and you like what you see.
That little smile of hers caused the intriguing dimple to appear on the side of her mouth, a sensual enticement that drew him like a magnet. He bent his head to hers and traced the little indentation with his tongue. A shiver went through her body and goose bumps broke out.
If you are claiming me and the lifemate thing is real, then you do belong to me. I already told you, I very much like what I see.