Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
“No, leave it on.” I wanted to be able to see her.
Nothing had prepared me for the fear that filled me when she’d screamed. Nothing had prepared me for the moment that I’d realized we’d closed ourselves into her apartment with one of the humans who’d come for her. It was terror on a level that I couldn’t have anticipated.
It was nothing like the moment when I’d realized my mate was under the rubble in a bombed London street. Up until that morning, I’d thought that was the most terrifying experience I’d ever have. It didn’t even come close to when I’d realized that Reese was in danger.
“You’re looking better already,” she murmured, smiling softly.
“I told you we heal fast.”
“I didn’t think you meant within hours.”
“I’m going to feel like shit for a couple of weeks.”
“That’s what you get for scaring the hell out of me,” she said smugly, her worried eyes looking me over.
“I was talking to my brothers—”
“I heard you,” she said, laying her head on her arm. “You want me to move in here.”
“Thoughts?”
Her skin was so soft. Tucking my hand under her shirt, I curved it around the dip in her waist.
“I don’t want to go back there,” she said instantly. “Actually, I’d prefer if we just burned the entire building to the ground, but, you know, other people live there, too.”
“I’ll relocate them,” I joked.
“Nah, let them stay.” She shot me a small smile before dropping her eyes. “Why do you think they killed Kenny?”
“No idea,” I murmured. “My best guess is that he saw them going into your apartment and hassled them about it.”
The man was tortured, probably for information on Reese, but I wasn’t going to mention that if she didn’t ask. Her friend had died horribly in her apartment. That was enough to deal with.
“He was nice,” she whispered. “Really flaky, but nice. I wonder if his parents know yet.”
“Someone will have let them know.”
Reese nodded.
We slept fitfully that night. Reese was incredibly careful not to jostle me, keeping her hands to herself, but I was still in quite a bit of pain. Any time I shifted my position, I woke up with a start, and it took a long time to fall back asleep. By the time the sun began to rise, I was wide awake again, watching her sleep.
She’d cleaned up at some point, but there was still blood in her hair. It wasn’t a lot, but as I ran my fingers through it, I could feel the little dried bits catching on my fingers. If I was a better male, I’d feel guilty that she’d been targeted for being my mate, but I just couldn’t regret the fact that she was mine. Finally, after waiting for so long, the other half of my soul slept beside me. I’d do anything to protect that. Protect her.
Swallowing hard, I looked away from her neck.
My stomach clenched angrily, and I took a deep breath, trying to ignore it.
“Come here,” she murmured, sleepily, lifting her hand to my face. “You need blood.”
“Go back to sleep,” I ordered softly, kissing her palm. “I can wait.”
“Why?” Her thumb brushed over my bottom lip. “Take what you need.”
“Reese,” I groaned.
“You feel it?” she whispered, her drowsy eyes meeting mine. “Heat’s building again.”
“Yes.” I’d felt it for the last two hours.
Leaning forward, I brushed my lips over hers. Her hand slid tentatively around the back of my neck.
I moved slowly, ignoring as my body protested.
She smelled so good. She felt so fucking good. The fact that I could’ve lost this—that we could’ve lost it—was inconceivable. There was no longer a place in this world for me if she wasn’t in it. I belonged by her side.
“You’re hurt,” she protested weakly as I slid my hand down the front of her leggings. She was soft and wet, and I wanted to live just like this. If we never moved from that bed again, it would be too soon.
“My hands are fine,” I argued, running my lips over her jaw as I slid my middle finger inside her slowly.
My heart pounded as she arched off the bed, a small mewl falling from her mouth.
When my mouth reached her neck, she tipped her head back in offering. Relief and arousal rolled over me as I bit down, every muscle in my body clenching, mixing pain and pleasure until I wasn’t sure which was which.
Her cunt pulsed as I added another finger, her orgasm soaking my hand.
It was over too soon.
“Sweet relief,” she joked, her breath catching as I gently pulled my hand away and brushed over her swollen clit. Cupping my face in both hands, she searched my face. “Better?”
I nodded. “The heat?”
“Calm again,” she assured me with a smile. “You should try and sleep a little longer.”
“I feel like I’ve been sleeping for a week,” I argued.