Page 9 of Accidental Blood Lust
Lochlan’s pupils are blown, and as his pink tongue darts out to wet his lips, it’s all I can do not to lunge forward and taste his mouth.
“What’s happening right now, Roman?”
“I don’t… I don’t know.”
“You feel it too though, right?”
I nod. “I feel it, but…” Closing my eyes for a moment, I exhale slowly. “We can’t. Not us.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Not us. I’m in love with Jareth.”
“Right. Jareth.” Swallowing hard, I scoot back, putting distance between us, and a wolfish growl escapes my lips.
Lochlan’s eyes widen, but instead of fearful, he looks excited. “This is fucked up.”
“Yeah.” Blowing out a breath, I rub my forehead. “Um, let me see if I can get Cassius.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” I echo, trying to ground myself. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“Can I come with you? I don’t want to be alone right now.”
I twist my lips. Auri won’t like it and Cassius might tell me to fuck off when he hears the request, but for some reason I’m powerless to say no. Lochlan is better looking than I remembered, all firm muscles and pale skin dotted with faint freckles, highlighted by the black tank top he’s wearing. His hair is a deep copper color, with lighter bits scattered throughout, and it rests against his neck, just brushing the tops of his shoulders. He has just a bit of stubble on his jawline, framing his mouth perfectly. Yeah, he’s a looker, that’s for sure.
If it weren’t for the connection to Jareth, I’d gladly take him to my bed and feast on his body for a few nights. But he’s in love with the one who got away from me. If I care about Jareth, and I do, I have to do what I can to help. Lochlan is right—Jareth is the cut-off-his-nose-to-spite-his-face type when he digs in his heels on something. I can at least see this through. If I can’t love Jareth, maybe I can help him be with someone who does.
“Okay, I’ll take you with me but stay close and don’t talk until I tell you to. We don’t bring strangers home often.”
His face lights up. “I’ll be good. I promise.”
“I can’t say for sure Cassius will want to help, but if he doesn’t, he might know someone who can.”
“I’m willing to try. I almost died this morning. Or, maybe not die. Whatever happens to vampires when they don’t eat.”
“You didn’t eat?”
“I have a hard time with that. Didn’t think that one through before I turned.”
“What happened?”
“Turns out the sun burns like hell when you’re starving. I went to Jareth and he fed me, which helped me heal.”
I pull my head back. “He fed you?”
“I know. I’m sure it bothered him, but he helped even though he’s really mad at me.”
That says a lot. Maybe more than Lochlan realizes. “We should get going.”
“How do we get there?”
“You hold on to me. It’s a bumpy ride, but you’ll be okay.”
“I’m not scared.” We stand and Lochlan wraps his arms around my waist, bringing our faces uncomfortably close.
