A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City #2)(53)

Zack stared at him morosely, then released a hard huff. “I know.”

The thought of Zack’s attempting a rescue attempt on his own terrified her. But Jason was a good, calm influence. And Zack did need to learn how to fight, if only to protect himself.

Zack glanced at her again. “How soon are you leaving?”

“I’m not sure. Arturo’s getting a bite to eat . . .”

Jason snorted.

Zack eyed her with concern. “Be careful, sis.”

She gave into the urge and kissed him on the cheek. “I will. You, too.” Then she headed back to the room where Arturo fed, needing to know the vampire was going to be okay.

She only had to cool her heels in the hallway for a few minutes before the door opened, and Micah stepped out, the girl at his side, smiling, the two fang wounds on her neck barely visible and already healing.

“What kind of dance?” Micah asked kindly, meeting Quinn’s gaze with a knowing look before turning back to the girl.

“Jazz mostly, but I take one ballet class a week, and I’ve been thinking about trying hip-hop.”

As the two disappeared down the hall, Quinn stepped into the doorway. Arturo sat on the bed, his head in his hands.

“Better?” she asked quietly.

“Come in, cara mia.” He lowered his hands and looked up at her wearily. His eyes were back to normal, but he still looked tired and beaten. Maybe it would just take time for him to recover.

She sat beside him and took his cold hand in hers, then gave in to the urge and leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

She felt his mouth buss her hair.

“That feeding didn’t help you, either, did it? You’re so cold. I’ve never felt you so cold.”

“It is not blood that I still require. Nor fear.”

Her brows drawing together, she straightened and looked at him. His eyes were normal, his fangs not elongated. “What do you need?”

He stared at her, his own brows lowered as he reached up to caress her cheek. “It makes no sense, bella, but there is one thing and one thing alone that I crave. That I must have.”

“What?”

“You. Your sunshine. Your warmth.” The thumb that slid softly across her bottom lip trembled subtly. “Your kiss.” The depth of need in his voice, in his eyes, caught at something deep inside of her.

With shaking hands, he framed her face, his need not quite hunger. Nor quite passion. But there was no denying it existed. Her breath turned shallow as he stared at her, as he stroked that unsteady thumb across her lips.

“I must kiss you, cara. Do not deny me this.”

“I won’t.” She reached for him.

He dipped his head, slowly this time, his mouth covering hers, his cold, closed lips pressing against hers, just that. But with that simple touch, she felt the tension go out of him as if his body sighed. His hands on her face gentled even more, a featherlight caress. And she shuddered, a longing deep inside her stirring, making her eyes sting. She’d been so worried the wolves would kill him.

Lifting her arms, she slid her hands to the back of his neck, then he was pulling her tight against him, one hand in her hair, the other around her waist as he swept his tongue into her mouth, claiming her, drinking of her as if she were the only thing he needed to survive. Her body softened, heating, as affection for this difficult, dangerous male surged within her.

And still he drank of her kiss. His lips began to warm. Beneath her hands, his flesh warmed, too. And still he kissed her, making no move to do more. The door was still open, but somehow she doubted that would stop him if he wanted to coax her beneath him.

Instead, he pulled away, his lips pressing a kiss to her cheekbone, her eyebrow, her temple. Breathing hard, he pulled her against him, pressing her head to his shoulder as he held her close. Just that.

“I failed you,” he said softly, his tone devastated. “Again.”

“No.”

“I did not protect you.”

Quinn pulled back, lifting her hand to his face, to his warm flesh. “You were battling a pack of wolves and a sorceress’s magic at the same time. You may be fast, and strong, but you’re not Superman.” She stroked his cheek. “The only way you’ve ever failed me was in betraying my trust and handing me over to Cristoff. You didn’t betray me this time, Arturo. I know you tried to reach me.” Stroking his cheek again, she smiled. “You’re warm. And you look better.”

He didn’t return her smile. Instead, as his hands caressed her hips, he watched her with a bemused expression. “I needed your sunshine.”

She frowned. “You really did, didn’t you? How can that be?”

“I do not know. You feed me in a way I do not understand. The girl’s fear left me cold.”

“Literally.”

“Yes.” He stroked her cheek. “You are becoming important to me in ways I would not have thought possible. I do not want to take you with me, tesoro.”

I do not want to. Not I won’t. They were making progress. “We’re out of time, you know that.”

“It is a terrible risk, cara.”

“Isn’t everything in this world? Vintry can’t die before he helps me, you know that. We can’t let that happen.”

“Because of Zack.”