Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81375 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81375 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“I think you’re right. It was just bleeding a lot because it was wet. It’s a little nick, but it should heal right up. I can’t find anything in here, but I can call Adam and ask him to bring the first aid kit when he comes.”
She gasps. “Oh my god, first aid?”
“Uh, sorry. We just carry one everywhere. It has disinfectant and bandages. It’s not like you need stitches or anything.”
She turns and looks down, then gasps at the sight of her fingertip welling with blood. “Ugh,” she sighs. “I suck at this so much. It’s not that it’s the blood itself or even the pain. I don’t know. My stomach just bottoms out for no reason. Maybe I’m squeamish. It’s embarrassing.”
“You don’t have to be embarrassed.” I should use the paper towels. It’s right there on the counter. Instead, without even thinking, I raise her hand and bring it to my mouth. I lap gently at the wound before pressing her finger to my lips and sucking it in.
She gasps. Not in pain, but from something else entirely. “What are you doing?” she gasps breathlessly.
Good fucking question. Is surrendering to all my base instincts an acceptable answer? “I read somewhere that saliva has coagulant properties.”
Her eyes clash with mine, the pupils so wide that the normally soft brown is dark as night. “If you have a thing for blood, you could just say so. I won’t judge you.”
“I’ve never wanted to be a vampire.”
“Okay.”
“I’ve never had a thing for blood. I promise. I only… it seemed…”
“Yeah,” she breathes, but her breath turns into a whimper.
She shivers as I fold a piece of fresh paper towel and wrap it around her fingertip. Then, I gently press her other fingers closed around it. “There. If you apply pressure, the bleeding should stop. It’s a deep gouge, but not that deep.”
I’m still holding onto her hand as she watches me from under the thick sweep of her eyelashes. She doesn’t even try to hide the fact that she’s aroused. Her eyes, the flush on her cheeks and neck, her rapid breaths… They all tell a story.
Her gaze drops to my lips, and her breaths shallow out further.
I have no right to want to kiss her, and I have even less right to lean in and angle my face down. I need to let go of her. It’s ridiculous that I’d even entertain the notion of wanting to be in her life and wanting her in mine. You can’t possibly bond with someone after two fucking days, right?
You can want to, though.
Dulcie is the kind of person who sparkles so brightly that she can’t help but draw people to her. She’s magnetic. I don’t know her well, but I’d wager just about everything I have that she’s the kind of woman who lives life noticing all the small details. She has a passion for living that radiates from her. It’s not just because she’s young or beautiful. Her compassion, kindness, intelligence, and that special energy she has make her gorgeous. She’s the kind of person who has a heart that wants to do more than just endure life. She wants to live it, and that alone makes her so alluring. It’s her own special brand of magic.
I’ve already fallen into her orbit.
I want to stay there and gravitate around her and let her teach me how to fall in love with life again.
My hand shifts down hers, my fingers resting against the pulse point in her wrist. It thrums madly beneath my touch. She sucks in a breath and holds it, but it doesn’t change the frantic tempo.
Her lips part, and she leans in. Our faces are just a fraction apart. My lungs refuse to work, and I’m burning up. I don’t have enough oxygen to kiss her, but if this is how I die, then what a sweet death it would be.
She tilts her face up and closes her eyes. I bend down just a little bit further, my breath skating over her skin. Her lips are so enticing, so plush and perfect and delicious.
A flash of blue outside catches my eye.
The rain has let up without either of us noticing, and there’s a car braving the flooded channels of the driveway.
Adam.
I break away, stumbling back guiltily like I was doing something wrong.
Wasn’t I?
Was I?
Dulcie tucks her hand close to her body, cradling it against her chest. “Adam probably got caught in the storm, waited it out, and came back to make sure you were okay.”
“Maybe.”
“Or maybe he was just worried about you. He looked like a rather reluctant chauffeur. Was he super angry at me for what I did?” Her face is pained, shadowed with guilt. She looks so sweet like that, so guileless and honest, that I could stare into her eyes all day long.