Page 68 of Stone Cold Alien

“They were small.”

“They were normal-sized sandwiches.”

“Perhaps for a human.”

“I’m not eating another dinner so that you can feel less guilty about biting me.”

He came closer and gently removed the bandage from my wrist. Only two faint red marks remained.

“I do not feel guilty about wanting your blood,” he said. “I feel guilty because you have to give it to me.”

“Hopefully the IA will solve that. Until then, we deal with it.”

His rough thumb moved across my wrist. “You asked me to question you again once we were warm and alone. We are no longer at the lodge, but I still need to know whether your answer has changed.”

“It hasn’t. I want you to complete the bond.”

“And you understand that it will not cure the petrification?”

“I know. Tomorrow morning I’m still going to work, you’re still staying here, and in three days we’re still meeting Pam to find a proper solution. None of that changes what I want tonight.”

He studied my face before lifting my wrist to his lips. Instead of biting, he kissed the fading marks.

“Then show me where you want the mating mark.”

I pulled the neck of my jumper aside and touched the top of my shoulder. My scrub top would cover most of it, although I might have to explain the bruising if anyone saw me changing.

“Here.”

Sten’s nostrils flared. “Your scent has changed.”

“You know exactly why.”

“I do.”

He kissed me.

His mouth was firm but unhurried, his rough tongue sliding against mine as his hands settled on my hips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on to one horn while he lifted me against him.

The kiss deepened. One fang caught lightly against my lower lip, followed by his tongue. His tail slid beneath my jumper and moved across my back.

I pulled away long enough to drag the jumper over my head. “Still not fertile?”

“Nothing has changed in the last few hours.”

“Good.”

Sten carried me to the bed and laid me down. His wings opened above us, brushing both walls.

“You’re going to need a bigger bedroom,” he said.

“I’ve managed perfectly well with this one until now.”

“You did not have me.”

“I’ve had you for two days. I’m not moving house yet.”

His mouth covered mine before I could say anything else. He removed my bra and kissed his way down my neck. His fangs grazed my skin without piercing it, making me think about what would happen when they did.