Five sets of eyes regarded him expectantly. Only Don didn’t look intrigued at this exchange. His eyes were glued to the IV bag filling with red liquid.
Bones’ lips twitched more. “It’s just that you can expand your wardrobe, luv. Not that I’m advocating it, of course, but then I’m biased. That thing I told you about no knickers making a difference when it came to luring vampires... well. I might have stretched the truth a bit.”
“You what?” My mouth dropped open in incredulity.
Juan gave Bones the most admiring look he’d bestowed on him yet.
“You talked her into going without panties all these years? Madre de Dios, now that’s impressive. I could learn a great deal from you, amigo.”
“You lied to me.”
I ignored Juan’s praise and advanced until I pointed a finger in Bones’ chest, which shook with suppressed laughter.
“Now, Kitten, it wasn’t exactly a lie. Merely an embellishment of the truth. I told you vampires found that right irresistible, and some do. Myself, for one, whenever I’m around you. And do you remember how you were back then? So uptight and prissy, I couldn’t resist needling you. Really, in all fairness, I never intended to let it go on this long—”
My voice trembled with wrath. “You perverted, depraved bastard, how could you!”
“What a mean trick,” Tate agreed instantly.
Bones reached out to me, chuckling, but I slapped his hand.
“Don’t touch me. You’re a dead man.”
“Since before you met me,” he agreed, still grinning. “I love you, Kitten.”
“Don’t try to get out of this. We’ll see if you love me when I pay you back.”
“Even then I will love you,” Bones called out as I stomped away. “Even then.”
I watched with empathy as the tremors ripped through Tate. The white cup that had held half a pint of Bones’ blood fell from his trembling hand. Bones gripped him by the shoulders until the glaze faded from Tate’s eyes, he stopped shaking, and he breathed without sounding like he was choking.
“Let go of me,” Tate snarled as soon as he could talk.
Bones released him. Tate inhaled several deep breaths, and his widened gaze met mine.
“Jesus, Cat. This isn’t like before at the cave. What the hell is in that asshole’s blood?”
I didn’t respond to the insult but only to the question. “Power. The blood you had before was from a weaker, shriveling vampire, so it doesn’t compare. Are you okay now?”
“Everything is so loud, and so clear.” He shook himself like a dog flinging off water. “And the smell! Goddamn, Juan, you stink! Didn’t you shower today?”
“Fuck off,” Juan growled, looking sheepish. “I showered, but I ran out of soap. Didn’t know we were getting sniff tested.”
I knew to suddenly have a vampire’s sense of smell was an incredible thing. It was like being born blind and then later recovering your sight. You couldn’t believe how much you’d missed.
“All right, Juan, you’re next.”
After all three men had been given blood, we proceeded to the training room. It went well, though I’m sure my guys had other views over their treatment at Bones’ hands. Don was nervous, but he visibly relaxed when Bones revived Tate after their bout and sent him on his way with constructive criticism and even praise. Tate took his place by my side and made one statement about the experience.
“Bastard hits harder than a fucking freight train.”
I just smiled. “I know.”
“You’ve schooled them brilliantly, Kitten.”
Cooper had just been perked up with a blood chaser, and Bones glided over to me.
“They are without a doubt the toughest humans I’ve come across,” he said to Don next. “With the additional strength of blood, they’ll be equal to a young vampire.”
Bones kissed me on the forehead as he spoke. That single touch, combined with the past couple of hours of watching his shirtless predatory ballet, made me react in a purely instinctual manner. My loins clenched, greedily demanding attention.
Uh oh. I had to get out of here. Fast. Before the boys picked up on the fragrance of my lust.
“I’m off to clean up; I’m sweaty. I’ll, ah, see you all later,” I said, and practically ran out of the room in my attempt to salvage my dignity.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I heard Tate ask, with an edge to his voice. “Wrong way, Bones. The men’s showers are in the opposite direction.”
“I’ll file that away with all the other information that doesn’t pertain to me” was Bones’ mocking reply.
I ignored them and kept going, reaching my locker room, shutting the door, and stripping off my clothes in a blur. A cold shower, that’s what I needed.
Tate’s voice still reached me through the door. “Got something you’re embarrassed to show us, vampire?” he taunted.
Bones merely laughed. From the sound of it, he was almost at the door.
“Just not stupid. Where would you rather be?”