Page 51 of Fire in My Blood
“What makes you think it’s not just a single rogue vamp with a crush?”
I wish.I blow out a breath. “Markus. He wants Erica specifically, and he wants her terrified. He told her that her fear turns him on, and he’s prepared to use her family to make sure she’s scared of him. It’s possible he’s just a lone pervert, but what if it’s more than that? It’s worth investigating at least.”
After pausing a couple of seconds, I ask a question I already know the answer to. “Have you told Lyn her maker is still alive?”
Lyn wouldn’t be here checking up on me if she knew her maker was still alive. She would be hunting him down without rest.
Several seconds go by before Markus says anything. “No, and don’t tell her. I’ll be there right after sundown. Do you have any leads on the vamp’s location?”
“No specifics, but I’m sure he’s staying somewhere close to Erica’s apartment. I’ve made a drawing based on her description and sent it to Ron. He’s running a search as we speak. If there’s any footage or pictures of the vamp to be found, Ron will find them.”
“Good. What’s going on with you and this woman, Lucas? Have you fucked her?”
Anger boils through my veins. Markus’s words and tone reduce everything Erica and I have done together to something cold and empty. But my feelings for Erica are far from cold.
I swallow hard. My feelings are a lot warmer than they should be. The mere thought of walking away from her makes me shudder. I can’t even think about it. “Her name is Erica, and right now my only focus is to catch the vamp who raped her.”
“We’ll talk when I get there.” Markus ends the call.
Closing my eyes, I rake my hands through my hair. The image of Erica’s face as she comes takes over my mind. She’s stunning with her eyes unfocused and her mouth slack from the pleasure shaking her body. The sounds she made earlier accompany the image, and my cock hardens.
“Fuck!” My shaft never fully softened after our rushed and desperate fuck in the corridor. I’ve never been this horny for anyone. Not a minute goes by that I don’t want to touch her and hold her.
I can’t believe I let her persuade me to fuck her in the corridor. But after seeing the devastation on her face when I admitted to pulling her mind to me, I was practically euphoric with relief when she decided to forgive me. Taking the time to bring her back to my bedroom before pushing into her tight, wet body just wasn’t an option. And it seemed to be the same for her.
I clench my teeth at the thought of someone walking up and witnessing her pleasure. It’s a good thing it didn’t happen, because my reaction wouldn’t have been pleasant for whoever it was. The thought alone is enough to soften my erection, which is a good thing.
After getting to my feet, I walk out of my room and in the direction of the office.
The vampire. I have to focus on the fucking vampire that’s out there somewhere. If there’s a group of them, they should be easier to find, but they will be harder to take down.
Grinding my molars in frustration, I stride through the mansion. I have to be patient until I know more. As much as I’d like to find and kill the asshole immediately, rushing into this without knowing whether he’s alone or not could turn ugly fast. At least Erica will be safe staying here while I deal with this with the help of Lyn and Markus.
I walk into the office where Erica is still sitting staring at the computer screen. She looks up and gives me a loving smile.
The sight hits me right in the chest, seizing my lungs and causing my breathing to hitch.
Erica must have noticed, because her brows wrinkle with concern. “Are you all right?” She shoots up from her chair and hurries toward me.
This woman is so beautiful, but her appearance is far from the only thing I admire about her. Her compassion and her strength, both of mind and body, leaves me breathless, and the feeling I got when I was talking to Markus comes back tenfold.
My heart slams against my ribs as a sense of dread settles in my gut. I’m never going to be able to leave her. I need her by my side. Without her I can’t even imagine taking another breath.
I close my eyes when I realize what this means, and I suddenly understand the real reason why my brothers and I were urged to vow never to have sex with a human.
I love Erica, and losing her will break me, because that’s what losing your mate will do to an elemental. It’s one of only a handful of things that can kill someone like me.
“Lucas!” Erica’s hand smacks my chest hard, and I realize she has been talking to me and shaking me for several seconds to get my attention.
“Sorry, I’m fine.” I force my lips to form a smile, but it feels more like an ugly grimace. Putting my arms around her, I pull her into a tight hug. “I’ve just got a lot of my mind, beautiful, trying to figure out the best way to catch this vampire. I’ll make sure you’ll never see him again. You will always be safe, I promise.”
It’s the truth but not all of it. I can’t tell her how I feel about her. At least not yet. It’s too soon. She’s human and needs more time to get to know me.
If I told her now, I might end up pushing her into something she doesn’t want. So, I have to bide my time, and hopefully, she’ll come to love me the way I already love her.
Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with her unique scent. I have no idea how I’m going to explain this to Markus and my brothers, but I’ll deal with that after this vampire is caught and killed.
Erica’s stomach makes a loud noise, and my lips widen in a genuine smile. “Sounds like it’s time for lunch. Let’s go find you something to eat, shall we?” I let go of her.