“Now you’re just being a dick.” He didn’t release me. “Think about it.”
I’d kissed Thea, that was all. I’d thought about doing more to her. I’d even fantasized about someday watching her enjoy the true perk of being a vampire’s lover. I hadn’t intentionally fed her my venom. I wouldn’t.
But I hadn’t been thinking very clearly either.
My fangs had been out since we’d arrived. Venom was a natural byproduct of that, so when I’d kissed her...
“Fuck,” I muttered when I realized what I’d done. “Let me go.”
“You sure?” he asked. “I don’t feel like getting my head ripped off. It’s been a long night.”
“Yeah,” I said grimly.
Bellamy’s hold loosened on me. By the time I was on my feet, dusting myself off, he was on the other side of the roof. So much for trusting my word. Not that I blamed him. Blood-lust was a fickle thing.
He shouted over, “She’s going to need–”
“I know,” I cut him off. This wasn’t how I wanted this to happen. But I’d left myself no choice. I was going to have to revisit the question of whether I could maintain my self-control around her after this.
Bellamy lingered in the background as I made my way to Thea. He wouldn’t get in the way, but he cared enough to make sure I did the right thing. I owed him. Big time.
Thea had curled into a ball, her knees tucked to her chin and her skirt fanned open around her. She looked up at me with round eyes. Her voice was so small that the night nearly carried it away as she asked, “What’s wrong with me?”
I hated myself as I tried to find the easiest answer. I’d left her here to face this alone.
“When I kissed you, you got a taste of my venom,” I explained, taking a seat beside her. I paused for a moment, wondering if I had any right to touch her before I leaned over her body. She could make that decision.
Thea reached up for me, and I didn’t hesitate. Scooping her into my arms, I cradled her shivering body against me. We stayed like that for a moment before she asked, “Did you poison me?”
“No,” I said with a humorless laugh. “Venom doesn’t work like that. I’ll explain it later, but right now I need to help you get this out of your system.”
Holding her close, I stood and moved toward the door. Bellamy raced ahead and opened the door.
“When did you become a gentleman?” I asked as I passed him.
“Time changes people.” It was a lesson we both knew too well.
“I owe you a drink. Thank you,” I said, nodding in acknowledgment.
“It was no–”
“No, really,” I interrupted him. “I better see to her.”
He chuckled softly, shooting me a knowing look. “Enjoy.”
I forced a grim smile.
I made my way to the bedroom my mother insisted on keeping for me and hoped I wouldn’t have to scare off any occupied guests. I carried Thea down the hall, past dozens of framed oil paintings by Picasso and Rembrandt and Vermeer. I took the paintings as a sign of welcome, a gesture meant to make me feel at home. She knew how I loved art. But by the time they’d built this house, I already had residences of my own. I had never lived here. I couldn’t even recall spending a night save for a handful of times I was here for a party and usually then, I was too caught in the haze of whatever recreational substance was on offer to remember much. I’d had my own place in the city since the earthquake.
“Where are we going?” Thea murmured as we stepped into the darkened room. I was relieved to find it empty.
“I’m taking care of you,” I said in a strained voice. I shut the door with my foot behind us. Thinking better of leaving it like that, I turned to lock it.
As the bolt clicked into place, she lifted her head and looked around. Her eyes widened when she realized I’d taken her into a bedroom. “Are we…I mean…?”
“Relax,” I said, shushing her. I needed to explain but I wouldn’t allow her to suffer any longer. Carrying her to one side of the bed, I laid her on it softly.
Thea writhed on the bed, her arms reaching out for me. The venom left unspent in her system had reached fever levels. Curls of hair stuck to her forehead and neck. A slight sheen of sweat glistened on her neck and collarbone.
Every impulse I possessed wanted to hike her skirt to her waist and take her. But that was the blood-lust talking. I should have known in the limo to keep her away from this place. Now I’d put her in a dangerous situation–entirely of my own making. Thea was laid out like dessert on a platter. I looked away, but it did nothing to distract me from my desire. Slipping off my jacket, I tossed it onto a bench at the foot of the bed. My shirt followed, and when I turned to look at her, she watched me with hooded eyes.
“Earlier you wanted me to touch you, pet,” I murmured, lowering my body over hers. Her legs coiled instinctively around my waist as she bucked her hips, seeking satisfaction. Her hands reached for the buckle of my pants. I grabbed her wrists and brought them over her head, but she continued to grind against me. Pressing my hips firmly against her movements, I pinned her body to the mattress. “Not so fast.”
“Julian.” My name was honey on her lips as she breathed an invitation, “I want you.”
Fuck. How was I supposed to resist that? My lips traced along her jawline. “That’s the venom. It makes you want me.”
She needed to know the truth.
“I wanted you before,” she whispered, twisting her face to bring her lips to mine. “Now, I need you.”
Need? That was definitely the venom talking. But it didn’t matter. Neither of us had a choice, and even if we did, it was clear we wouldn’t choose differently. I wished we’d stayed in the limousine long enough for me to deliver her first tastes of pleasure.
“Please?” Her soft petition sealed our fate.
My mouth covered hers, and I let my lips answer her. Thea relaxed into the kiss. Her body ceased to fight as her tongue licked across my teeth, gathering any lingering venom there. That wasn’t going to help my fuck-up. I reared up, breaking the kiss but keeping control of her body.
“I’m going to undress you, pet,” I explained before I released her. “Do you trust me?”
