Page 37 of Fangs & Fur

“Blood.”

It’s the only warning I get before Xander’s entire body explodes with movement. His arms wrap around the back of my neck as he forcefully pulls me against him.

Striking like a snake, red-hot pain rips through my neck, and a broken cry escapes me. My breath catches in my lungs and I freeze, barely able to grip at his shoulders as Xander holds me close.

It’s a smell I’ve never experienced. Like burnt hair and iron, as I feel warmth drip across my collarbone.

Then I feel it. Like a syringe sucking from my flesh and Xander’s cool tongue swiping across my jugular. Oh?

The pain fades until it feels warm like a sunburn, then pins and needles bloom at the tips of my fingers and my stomach swoops as shocks of pleasure zip through my spine. It’s fast, almost too fast that my mind can’t seem to keep up, but my body understands.

I moan.

Xander growls, clutching me tightly as he continues to drink. And more of that pleasure seeps into me until I'm panting and shaking. Every nerve in my body tingles under Xander and my hips pivot against the air, desperately seeking friction.

“Noah…” Xander growls against my skin. His grip tightens, and his once cold body blooms with heat.

“Noah,” he says again.

“Yes, I’m here. It’s okay. Don’t stop.”

As if my voice awakens him from whatever comatose state he’s a victim to, Xander is reeling backwards, my blood dripping from his chin and his eyes glowing eerily white. I blink at him, still feeling the flutter of pleasure through my body, but the look of sheer terror in Xander’s eyes has those feelings dissipating at an alarming rate.

“What’s wrong?” I reach for him, but he flinches back. Doubt creeps into me. “Did I do something wrong?”

For a stunned silence, Xander watches me, his eyes flicking over my body before landing on my neck, and he winces. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Forgive me.”

I tilt my head but wince at the sharp sting at the junction of my neck and shoulder. Like a bruise forming under my skin, Xander’s bite pulses. “Are you okay? You didn’t come back. Nyx dragged you here and the blood… all the blood.” I motion at his stained clothes.

Xander looks down at himself as if becoming aware for the first time of what state he’s in. I catch a glimpse of his stomach, seeing how his skin has knitted back together and is no longer gushing fluid.

That’s a relief, I guess.

I don’t have a second to react as Xander is pulling me against his chest in a vice grip. He shivers and pats my hair. “I thought I had lost you. I thought that creature would get to you.”

“Creature?” I ask. My heart leaps in my chest and my gaze rises over Xander’s shoulder, half expecting to find a rabid beast staring back at us from the gloomy forest.

“What have I done?” Xander’s voice cracks and his shivers turn to shakes. “I bit you. I drank from you. I could have killed you.”

“But you didn’t.” I smile gently and push myself back, wiping away a stream of blood from his cheek. “You didn’t hurt me. I-I liked it.”

Xander watches me closely, his eyes darting over my face. Nyx and Pumpkin wander back inside, both purring loudly with their tails twisted together.

“I need you,” I whisper, pressing my forehead against his. “I was so worried. Make everything feel as if it’s going to be okay. Make me think of nothing but you.”

Xander’s breath fans my lips and his body continues to warm to its familiar burning state. A low, animalistic growl vibrates his chest. “Your blood is an opioid to me, sweetheart. If I have you, I won't stop. Not when you’re begging for relief. You’ll never see another day without me.”

I plant my lips against his, tasting that metallic twang of his blood on my tongue. I want more of it.

“Give it to me. And I'll give you all the drugs you need,” I murmur between kisses.

Xander’s spine stiffens, and his hands grip my waist, pulling me against him. My thighs wrap around his waist and the world blurs around us, the air whooshes from my lungs as my back is pressed up against my closed bedroom door. I can’t even get a giggle out before Xander is devouring me. His hands grip my throat as he slides his tongue into my mouth, his hips grinding against mine.

“Noah, my sweet mate. Let me have more of you, I need to taste every inch.” Xander’s chest rumbles as he growls, his fangs scraping across my bottom lip and his hardening dick has me gasping.

“Yes. Take it. Please.” I scratch at the back of his neck, desperate to pull him closer.

Trailing light kisses across my cheek and under my ear, Xander inhales deeply, sucking in my scent. His chest expands and his hips jut against mine, the hardness of his cock now rock solid against mine.