When he finally spoke, I was almost startled by the sound. “Why are you different, Storm? If their blood is so irresistible, why didn’t you react while sitting right across from them at dinner? Thinking of it, didn’t you say fledgling vampires have a hard time not draining their food source?” He shuddered and immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, ‘food source’ seems like such a horrible way to describe a human being. Especially if the only person you’ve ever fed on is your twin sister.”
“No, don’t apologize.” I never wanted him to feel badly for being honest with me. “You’re absolutely correct. I hate the term for that exact reason. And although I’m no longer a human being, I still think and feel like one. I don’t know why, but I’ve never lost my basic humanity or my conscience, if I’m making any sense.”
“Could be. Or, maybe you were pretty stubborn before your change, which translated into some hardcore control afterward?” He sounded amused, yet completely serious at the same time.
I started to get up, then changed my mind when my head started to spin. I tried to play it off by changing the subject. “So, other than reading my books, what authors do you enjoy?”
Darcy wasn’t distracted easily, and he definitely hadn’t missed my aborted movement. “Are you okay, Storm? Wait… If you’ve been using so much of your strength to get Muriel here to safety—while also reserving your blood supply, I’d assume—was the one cup of blood you had at dinner enough to replenish your energy?”
I shrugged, not wanting to admit how hungry I was feeling all of a sudden and make him nervous. It was on the tip of my tongue to say I simply needed to get some rest when Darcy surprised me again.
“Storm? Would it help if I let you feed on me?”
5
Darcy
I couldn’t believe I’d offered. Hours ago, I’d been ready to kill him on my doorstep. And now I was offering to feed the man? But dammit, it felt like the right thing to do. Not because I was a fanboy who would do anything for their hero. We’d passed fanboying at this point. Hearing him open up and so honestly share his sad story had done funny things to my heart. In my gut, I knew I could trust Storm not to drain me.
Storm gave his head a quick shake, his shiny brown hair reflecting the moonlight as it moved. “No, I can’t let you.” He paused, staring at me. “My God, Darcy. You told me your father was drained by a vampire, and yet you would offer to feed me?”
“Absolutely. I don’t believe you to be anything like the beast who killed my dad. Your actions speak volumes as to the kind of person you are. You put yourself at risk to save your sister’s life rather than leave her to die. You’re a decent man who was changed without consent and yet somehow managed to retain your humanity.”
I turned my head, staring off into the shadows while I gathered my thoughts.
“Storm… I don’t know how to explain this, but I’ll try. Yes, I love your books. Fanboy is too light a descriptor, if I’m being honest. But after spending an evening with you, I’m a much bigger fan of you as a person. A person I know I could be friends with, if not more. I mean, the date’s not over, so the jury’s still out on the more part. I’ll get back to you. But yeah, I would freely offer myself to fuel your body. I trust you to stop when you’ve had enough. Especially when I’m sure you’ll take the donation and visit your sister before bed so you can give her a few drops.”
Storm rubbed a hand over his face. “How can you read me so well after such a short acquaintance? Yes, it was my plan to visit Muriel before I turn in. She hasn’t had any of my blood in a few days, and I didn’t like the way she was wheezing earlier. Juan made it clear I needed to keep blood therapy—his words, not mine—on a regular schedule so it stays in the patient’s system until their body is fully recovered.”
Feeling braver than I ever had in my life, I got onto my knees and crawled forward until I was shoulder to shoulder with him. “Then take it, Storm. Take my blood. Do it for Muriel, if not for yourself.” I still halfway wondered if I was crazy, but at the same time, the idea of his fangs penetrating my flesh almost turned me on.
Nope. Don’t want to use words like penetrating.
Storm leaned closer, breathing in, then exhaling softly in my face. As the warm air fanned over my lips, I shivered. “Are you sure you want this, Darcy? The rumors about a vampire’s thrall are true. Primarily because it’s an erotic experience you won’t want to end. Have no fear—I will stop it. But you’ll beg me not to.”
He gazed into my eyes, then brushed his fingers over my cheek. “You want this, don’t you? Not only to feed me, but to give life to this connection we share.”
I shivered again. “Is that the thrall talking? Because I’m totally liking it.”
Storm chuckled, the low sound making a damn near sinful vibration. My dick shot from half-mast into a full-blown erection. As he slipped a hand between my legs and pressed it against my crotch, his lips curled knowingly. “I haven’t put you in a thrall yet—this is just us reacting to the moment. If you’d like to stretch an arm out, you’ll find I’m equally hard.”
I don’t know what came over me, but I scooted back barely enough to swing a leg over his hips and crawled onto his lap. Capturing his face between my hands, I thrust my hips forward to rub against him while I whispered, “Would you kiss me first?”
“You didn’t even have to ask, cutie. I was already planning on it.” He winked and jerked forward so fast our noses bumped against each other. Laughing softly, Storm tilted his face before pressing his lips against mine with a feather-light touch.
Goosebumps broke out as a shudder ran down my spine when he pressed harder and kissed me like I was something special.
I melted against him, my arms finding their way around his neck as I brought my hands up to touch his hair. Moaning, Storm licked along the seam of my lips until I parted them to welcome him in. His tongue felt like velvet sliding against mine, and I forgot to think for the next several minutes while we kissed.
It wasn’t until I felt air on my dick I even realized he’d opened my pants and pulled my cock out—along with his own. Pulling away and breaking the kiss, I breathlessly stared at him. “How did you do that without me noticing? I mean, I’m not complaining but… wow. Pretty good trick.”
Storm smiled and brushed a soft kiss over my mouth before answering. “Vampire speed comes in handy sometimes. I try to hold it back. As a rule, I don’t like to remind everyone around me of what I am. But yes… I do have the ability to move fast when I want.”
I sucked in a breath, picturing what I wanted in my mind. Since he’d pulled both our dicks out, I figured we were on the same page. “Will you drink from my neck while you jerk us together?”
His eyes were molten silver in the moonlight. “It would be my pleasure. And I mean my words in every possible way.”
Snickering, I ran my hands over his shoulders. “Then what are you waiting for… a final consent? Consider it given.”
Chuckling softly, Storm tilted my head to the side with his chin and nuzzled my neck, kissing the vein where my pulse beat the strongest. I closed my eyes, breathing in the moment as his hand closed around both of our lengths and began to stroke. Liquid fire spread through my veins the moment his fangs pierced my skin.