Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(48)

“No more apologies.” I reached for the Kleenex on my desk and dabbed at my wound, anything to tear my gaze from his. “I have to go. I just … need to think. This has been a hell of a night.”

He nodded, watching silently as I gathered myself. Neither of us attempted another word. I couldn't just walk away and leave him standing there. I wasn't that heartless. In a bold move, I stepped up close to him and threw my arms around his neck. He hesitated for a moment before hugging me tightly.

“You know I adore you, right?” I needed him to know that. Kale was so delicate, so emotionally fragile. I feared becoming another abuser of his heart and soul.

“Of course,” he replied, lifting a hand to stroke the loose tendrils of hair back from my face. “You're a gem, Alexa. Now get out of here before I decide that I don't care whether we're alone or not.”

Chapter Twelve

I didn't think as I drove home. In fact, I did my best to avoid it altogether. Turning the stereo up loud, I let the heavy sound of Avenged Sevenfold soothe me as I cruised down the highway. I was wired. Between Arys and Kale, my night had been downright f**ked up.

The bite on my neck ached, every throb accompanied by a jolt of pleasure to my groin. I was sexually frustrated but partially relieved that Jez had arrived when she did.

I'd been ready to let Kale bend me over my desk and bang my brains out. There was something so screwed up about that.

Shaz' car was parked outside when I got home and the wolf within was delighted.

Who better to bang my brains out than my mate? The one man I knew I could trust. Of course, going inside and having to admit that Arys was the scum that Shaz insisted he was didn't appeal to me.

“Hey, babe!” I called out as I entered. The sound of video games coming from the living room greeted me. I couldn't count how many times I'd had to listen to the various video games on the market. Boys!

Shaz was just as I expected, intent on the TV, his hands busy on the game controller.

I rolled my eyes. In the mood I was in, I had half a mind to tear the thing out of his hands, but I could just imagine the whining he'd do when I destroyed his score.

“What's up, Lex? Where have you been all night?” There was one thing that could always destroy a werewolf's concentration and that was the scent of blood. The moment he caught scent of my wound, his game was forgotten.

Turning it off, he came to me with curiosity on his face, like he wasn't sure if he should be concerned. I reached for him, needing to feel his warmth and to breathe the comforting scent of wolf. I craved him, realizing how badly I missed him and how quickly those vampires stripped away the side of me that was all wolf. It was what I had been for so long. The thought of losing it, of being consumed by the vampire inside, it horrified me.

“What's going on, Alexa?” Shaz was deadly serious, the lighthearted glimmer absent from his jade eyes. “You've been bit. And, you smell like Kale.”

I kissed him with an aggressiveness that welled up from within.

The animal hunger for him was all wolf. I didn't know what to say about Kale. I was ashamed, and I didn't want to relive the events of the night by telling him right now. I just wanted to taste the Were blood that raged through his veins and feel his weight above me as he claimed my body.

There was no resistance as he kissed me back. His lips moved on mine, persistent and commanding. He tasted like heaven, that combination of wolf and pine that I loved so much. He kissed me like he couldn't get enough. When he pulled back, I was breathless.

“Now,” he said, holding me tight and peering deep into my eyes. “Start talking.”

My mind raced but nothing coherent formed. What could I say? “Arys has been with Harley the past two nights. I saw them tonight. At The Wicked Kiss. They were … tag teaming on some girl.” Why I chose to say that, I don't know. I felt stupid the moment the words left my mouth.

Shaz studied me, his eyes on the bite I wore. “So this was payback?” He gestured to the wound but didn't touch it. He sniffed lightly, smelling my blood. I knew he was thinking about tasting it himself though it was unlikely he'd admit it.

“No. It was just an irrational reaction. It hurt so bad to see that. I can't get the image out of my head. It's no excuse though. I know.”

“Whatever you get from Arys, you know you can't replace that with Kale. And, Lord knows that Kale has enough problems. You can't be what he needs, Lex.”

I hadn't expected Shaz' reaction. He wasn't pissed off or judgmental, just matter of fact. Still, I hated hearing it. Everything was so fresh. It all stemmed from that moment that the door had opened and I saw them. I was overcome with the urge to rage my pain. I stifled it by kissing him again, tearing at my clothing as I did so.

“Please,” I murmured against his lips as I unlaced my corset. “I need you to touch me, to fill me. I've got this ache, Shaz. Help me ease it.”

“Don't be crazy. These vampires are making you lose your mind. It makes me want to take you away from it all where there is nothing but you and me. All wolf.” He groaned when I tossed the corset onto the couch and slid out of my skirt. “You smell like prey, but you feel like a predator.”

“I am a predator. I'm also a woman that's been betrayed by someone I was stupid enough to trust. And, the only person who can bring me true comfort is you.”