Page 37 of Bound By Blood
Blinking againstthe influx of light and noise, it took Caro a second to realizethey’d entered the arcade. The dinging of balls, clatter ofbasketballs bouncing off hoops, firing of guns, and laughter andgroans of the humans were nearly overwhelming.
The potent aromasof food, sweat, and humans cloistered close together filled theair. More than a few of them could use a shower and some deodorant.They didn’t smell as bad as a Savage, but they definitely weren’tappealing.
By the time sheadjusted to this sudden assault on her senses, Saber had steeredher halfway through the arcade. They strode past the car racinggames, fake motorcycles where the kids tilted to the side, and ashooting game where a tall girl had gathered a crowd to cheer heron.
She scrambled toget out of the way as a pack of kids raced by her. Pink and bluestreamers flew behind them as they dashed around the claw machinebefore vanishing. Games lit up when someone won, cheers filled theair, and some machines spit out tickets for the kids to scoopup.
Caronevercame this far into the arcade. While it was a fun, happy place, theflashing lights and bombardment of sounds had always bothered her.She couldn’t escape them now as she was entrenched in this placeand couldn’t turn back.
Saber tried toshut out the barrage of stimuli surrounding him as he glanced backto ensure the Savages had followed. If he could somehow lose themin this place, they could backtrack out the front, steal a car, andget out of town before the Savages realized they’d left.
The man enteredthe arcade as a different woman with bright orange hair trailedhim. She must have been the other Savage in the vehicle. Not farbehind her came the other woman.
Their stenchwasn’t as rotten as those who couldn’t walk in the sun, but hedetected the faint aroma of rot over the many scents filling thisstrange, human place. He had no idea how they could stand to beinside this place for even thirty seconds, but they all looked asif they had no intention of leaving any time soon.
He spotted acurtain ahead; he didn’t know what it was for but maybe what laybeyond offered a reprieve from all the chaos and a place to hide.Steering Caro toward it, he pulled the curtain open and steppedback as Caro entered what he now realized was a small booth.
The Savages werestill back there but not watching him as he ducked into the smallmachine and settled the curtain back into place. It was a littlequieter here, but the curtain didn’t do much to muffle the noise.It did shut out most of the lights, which was a welcome relief tohis burning eyes.
With a bit of areprieve, he took in the small machine. He frowned at the screen tohis right and the seat to his left before spotting the smile signand post informing them how to take a picture.
He was stillprocessing the fact they were in a photo booth when he becameacutely aware of the woman standing close to him. With the scentsof the humans and Savages muted by the curtain, her refreshing,enticing aroma filled the small space.
CHAPTER 27
Fuck.Hefisted his hands as he stared at the wall, refusing to look ather.
Caro hadn’trealized how small a photo booth was until she crammed inside onewithhim. The giant oaf’s large frame took up too muchspace, leaving her withnoroom to get further away fromhim.
The warmthemanating from his body was almost overwhelming, and his scentblocked the many human ones. Unable to stop herself, she inhaleddeeply and nearly groaned when his delicious aroma made her forgetthe ones the Savages and humans emanated.
You’re actinglike an idiot,she scolded herself.
She didn’t likethis guy; he was overbearing, an asshole, and plainrude. Sowhy was she digging her nails into her palms to keep from graspinghis arms? And why did the bad-mannered prick have to be soalluring?
With no otherchoice, becauseheinsisted on taking upallthespace, Caro glared at his chest. His leather jacket showed off howbroad and enticing it was.Stop that!
She’d been doingher best to shut out the noise of the arcade; now, she focused onit. The loud ringing, dings, and clatters hurt her sensitivehearing, but every wince helped to keep her from focusing onhim….
Sort of. Okay, notat all, as he shifted a little closer. When he did, every one ofher senses pinpointed on him. The noises outside the photo boothcontinued, and people’s voices drifted in and out as they movedpast the curtain, but they faded to a dull murmur.
Don’t touchhim. Don’t touch him.Buteverypart of her longed toplace her hands on his chest, lean closer, and lift her lips tohis. She didn’t think he would turn her away.
Her heart hammeredas her mouth went dry at the possibility of kissing him. It wouldbefantastic. She did not doubt it.
Saber glanced downat Caro as she resolutely stared at his chest. She was so closethat one small step forward would put them in contact with eachother.
Those ripe, lushbreasts would press against his chest. His cock stirred at thepossibility.
The Savageshunting them, constant hum of conversation, and the overwhelminghumanness of it all faded as he gazed at her stubborn chin,delicate face, and beautiful eyes. Was there anyone as beautiful asher? He didn’t think so, and he’d encounteredmanywomenover the years.
His brain stoppedworking, and instinct took over as he cupped her cheek. Startled bythe contact, her eyes flew up to his, and her heart became a wildbird as she gazed at him with parted lips.
She didn’t breatheas he ran his thumb across her full bottom lip. It was as soft assilk, just as smooth, and so kissable. It would also feel fantasticwrapped around his shaft.
He shifted whenhis jeans became uncomfortable against his growing erection. Hisfangs tingled as his pulse met the rapid beat of hers.
Since he’d neverbeen one to deny himself a woman, he leaned down until his lipsbrushed her forehead. Her skin was warm and pliant against hislips.
