Page 23 of 20% Blood 80%
What was C trying to teach me about Earthers with this choice? I hadn’t the faintest clue. Did I have to get Silver into a state where he wanted to punch me before he’d kiss me like that?
Silver’s spoon clinked against his bowl when he dropped it. His ears and neck flooded with blood, flushing his skin to an enticing pink. “Fuck.”
On screen, the soldier stripped the florist of his clothes, petals scattering all over the counter under them. My skin heated, and without thought Iopened the buttons along my collar, unfolding the uniform to expose my chest and get some relief. When I glanced at Silver, his eyes were glued to my fingers as they unhooked another button. “Silver?”
His gaze jumped to mine, hot and wanting.
The couple on the screen moaned in the background.
On instinct, I ran my fingers over my chest, drawing him in. “Any room up there for me?”
He licked his lips, following my every move.
Two naked males, dotted with flower petals, writhed on the projector.
“Uh-huh.” Voice hoarse, he nodded and shifted deeper into the sleeping pod.
Fire raced up my spine. A wave of doubt had me slowing my fingers as I unlaced my boots and toed them off, but I persisted despite the nagging reservations. I had next to no experience, and zero at initiating.
I knelt on the mattress, crawling toward where he lay, legs out in front of him, so close I could smell the fragrant mantu porridge on his breath and the rich scent of his blood beneath.Goddess, give me the strength to keep my fangs to myself.“I want to kiss you, Sterling. Can I?”
He visibly shivered at my words. “Yeah.”
His raspy voice twisted my stomach in knots. Heart racing, I slowly lowered my head until our noses met. Hot breath met hot breath, and my tongue dropped free of the fang it had been dancing over to lick up the bead of sweat trailing down his temple.
Silver groaned. “Now.” He pulled me down, resting my body on his, then punched his hips up into mine, grinding his erection against my thigh, seeking relief. “Kiss me now.”
The ring around my d’ink tightened, instantly rock hard at his reaction. Hovering over him, I loosened the tie from his hair, groaning against hislips while I threaded my fingers through its damp lengths. With his feather-soft hair cradled in one hand, I dusted my lips over his before dragging my tongue over the plump flesh.
In a flash, he flipped us. Our teeth clicked together as he ate at my mouth, biting and licking and groping my sides. It lit a flame in me that burned so hot that the venom meant to numb whoever I bit leaked from my fangs. I had to slow us down or I would take what he hadn’t offered. That was something I could never let happen again.
He licked at the venom, testing the extent of my control. “Damn, that tastes good. Like apple pie and sunny days and…sex,” he groaned.
“Silver…” I sucked the pulse beating on his throat, rubbing my teeth over it, but I wouldn’t ask. I palmed his chest, smoothing a thumb over the hard muscle, pausing at his covered nipple. “You’re so strong.”
He stiffened above me, his eyes snapping open.
“And beautiful.” I wrapped his hair around my wrist and let it uncoil before startling backward at the closed-off expression on his face.
The florist was nuzzling into the soldier’s neck as they lay under the covers together, morning sunlight streaming over them.
Silver sat back on his heels and turned off the movie. Though the air on level thirty-one was stifling, an icy tension filled the air. What had I done wrong? I should’ve waited for him to initiate.
“Anything else?” Silver asked, his voice as cold as I’d ever heard it.
I reached for him, and he backed away. “What’s wrong?”
“Tell me what else you like about me. What you want from me.” Silver pulled up his coveralls where his shoulder strap had fallen free.
Backed into a corner, I had no idea what would appease him. A rush of even more extravagant compliments was all that came to mind. “Silver, I think you’re incredible. You’re great at everything you do,except maybe cleaning.” I cast a tentative glance at him, but his frown only deepened. “That doesn’t mean I want anything from you.”Except your heart.
Sola’s blaze! It came to me. What in hellfire had me thinking it was okay to compliment him? He’d shut down and walked away when I’d offered any sort of praise this past month.
“Uh-huh.” His jaw tightened as he crawled around me, climbed out of his bed and started washing dishes in his small sink. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. I’m going to clean up and hit the sack.”
My heart plummeted at the dismissal. I still hadn’t told him I couldn’t go without blood for much longer. After scurrying out of his bed and buttoning my uniform, I quietly placed the extra containers of food I’d prepped along with the pie into his tiny cooler.
Defeated, I muttered to his back, “I’m going hunting tomorrow.” Ashamed, though I wished I weren’t, I lowered my voice even more. “The full moon’s coming, and I need blood. Fresh meat should help.” Then, empty basket in hand, I headed toward his open door. Stealing a glance over my shoulder, I stared at his back, hoping for some reaction.
