He took me into his arms. “You’re alive. That’s all that matters.”
I stared up at him in horror. “But, do I have to drink human blood to survive now?”
He nodded. “You have to, but I guarantee, it will be much more enjoyable than you think.”
I stepped away from him and shook my head. “No, I can’t. There’s no way I can do that.”
He sighed. “You have to, or you’ll die.”
I started to cry. “No…”
“Nikki, it’s not that bad. Once you feed, you’ll be stronger and feel more alive than you’ve ever felt in your life. I swear to you.”
“There is no way,” I cried, “that I’m going to drink someone’s blood.”
He looked at me incredulously. “Would you rather die?”
“Maybe,” I sobbed.
He frowned and pulled me into his arms. “I won’t ever let that happen. I love you.”
I tried to pull away but he held me firm.
“Please,” I begged. “Just leave me alone.”
“Never,” he said huskily, tightening his hold.
“Ethan,” I pleaded, trying to pull away. I couldn’t deal with this news now. It was bad enough that my brother and mom were missing. “Ethan, please leave me alone.”
He ignored me and sought out my mouth instead. As his lips captured mine, I moaned in protest. “Stop,” I breathed, as his mouth moved towards my neck. “Please.”
“You’ll be so much stronger,” he whispered. “You can help save your family. We’ll do it together.”
My heart ached as images of my mother flashed through my head, along with Faye’s cold, cruel stare. I closed my eyes as my body began to betray me and eventually, I gave in and met his kisses with my own.
“Ethan,” I breathed against his lips, pulling him closer to me. I just wanted to forget everything but the taste and smell of his mouth and tongue mixing with mine. Quickly my kisses became more demanding, almost savage, surprising the both of us.
He groaned against my mouth and then pulled his lips away to stare into my eyes.
“Please,” I whimpered, pulling him back towards me. He’d started a fire so hot I just couldn’t seem to get enough of him. Every cell in my body screamed for his touch.
“Wait,” he whispered, pulling back. When he bit his thumb and blood began to flow, I stared at it in wonder, unable to pull my gaze away.
“Drink from me,” he whispered. “Live.”
As I watched the red stream begin to slowly trickle down his hand, it seemed to call out to me, like an old friend. I licked my lips in anticipation of catching it on my tongue.
He kissed me again, but this time, all I could concentrate on was the smell of his blood. It was intoxicating and sweet.
“Butterscotch,” I whispered as he pulled away and raised his hand to my lips.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said.
“Ethan,” I moaned, feeling the heat build between my legs as the smell of his blood consumed me.
He rubbed his finger over my lips and sucked in his breath as I took it into my mouth.
“Oh…” I breathed, reveling in the sweet coppery taste. My legs began to tremble and the hunger inside of the pit of my stomach screamed for more.
“That’s it,” smiled Ethan as I began to suck greedily on his thumb. But it wasn’t nearly enough and he knew it. The next thing I knew he held me down on the bed and placed his wrist over my mouth. “Do it,” he demanded. “Break the skin. I’ll be fine.”
I closed my eyes and gave in to the ravenous hunger he’d created. Opening my mouth, I sunk my teeth into his skin until the blood began to spill, covering my lips and tongue. I lapped at the warm fluid and felt it go down my throat. I moaned against his wrist as a new kind of heat began to spread, from my face all the way down to the tips of my toes. With it grew a pleasure so intense, I wrapped my legs around him and pressed into his lap, this time wanting more than just blood.
“Nikki,” he groaned, removing his wrist. He then tore my shirt away, exposing my naked body. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, staring down at my nudity.
“Your wrist,” I whispered, as he began to lower his mouth to my breasts. “It’s flowing much too freely.”
He reached over and tore off a piece of the abandoned shirt and then wrapped it around the wound, stopping the blood.
“Now, it’s your turn to be devoured,” he said, his eyes full of flames.
I licked my lips, traces of his blood still lingering there. I wanted more, God did I want more of his blood, but I also wanted to feel his mouth all over my body again, like the other night.
As if he could read my thoughts, he began to touch me everywhere.
“Yes,” I whimpered, as he cupped my breasts and began licking my nipples with his tongue, making me squirm.
“Say my name,” he whispered, moving his fingers between my legs.
“Ethan…”