Page 22 of Accidental Blood Lust
“Oh. Right. Um, what do I do?”
“I’d suggest seduction until you learn how to harness your thrall. This is a notoriously queer space, so there shouldn’t be any pushback. Flirt. Invite him to the bathroom or the alley or some dark corner. Then eat.”
My stomach rumbles with need and my mouth actively waters. “What if I go too far?”
“You won’t. I’ll be with you.”
Okay, that helps a lot. I won’t hurt the man if Cassius is there to help.
“So, I just walk up and flirt?”
“Yes. Go on before you lose him.”
Squaring my shoulders, I cross the bar and approach the handsome man. He turns his head toward me and smiles warmly. Encouraging. I lean on the bar next to him, taking in his face and trying not to bare my fangs.
I’ve never felt this way before. My cock swells slightly even though I don’t want sex. Hunger must cause arousal in other areas too. I guess I was blocking my senses or something, because I don’t think I could avoid feeding right now even if I wanted to.
“Come here often?”
The man’s face falls and mine follows.
“Sorry, that was terrible. I’m out of practice.”
“Do you want to hookup?” he asks, getting right to the point.
My dick flags at the thought of sex with this man. I only want Jareth, but he doesn’t know this isn’t about sex at all.
“Yes. Let’s go somewhere.”
“The alley behind the bar.” He takes my hand. “Come on.”
A shiver of anticipation moves through me as I take his hand and follow him out.
I’m with you.
Cassius. Knowing he’s close settles my nerves a bit.
Outside, the handsome stranger presses me against the building and immediately goes to unbutton my pants. I run my hand over his smooth bald head, summoning the courage to do what I need to do.
“Hold on,” I say.
“I don’t kiss,” he rumbles, still holding on to my waistband.
“That’s okay. I just want to smell your neck.”
He raises an eyebrow as amusement spreads over his features. “Kinky. Go ahead.”
I dive into the crease where his neck and shoulder meet, rubbing my nose against his skin. It’s rougher than I expected but his scent is divine. My fangs descend and I get ready to take what I need. With my eyes closed, I tell myself I can do this. I have to if I want to survive.
With that, I pierce his skin and he yells, gripping my shoulders to push me away.
“What the fuck, man?!”
As soon as his warm blood hits my tongue, I gag, unlatching and backing away as I double over, heaving. It tastes bitter and metallic and not at all like the sweet relief of Jareth’s blood. Every time I feed—or try to, more accurately—it’s like this, and I can’t. I should just walk into the sunrise. This is awful.
The man takes a swing at me, but I easily block it by grabbing his fist. “Sorry. Sorry. I know that was bad.”
“What?” he yells, his eyes filled with fear and anger. His scent has soured too, and I just want to get away from him.
