Page 79 of Fire in My Blood

I raise my gaze to hers as I shake my head in wonder. “You wielded fire, like me. How is that possible? As far as I know that’s never happened before. When did you find out you could do that?”

Smiling up at me, she tugs one of her hands out of my grip and cups my cheek. “I wasn’t sure I could, actually. But after I had to drink Gerard’s blood and collapsed in pain, I used the fire in the room to get my energy back. I remembered what you could do, and somehow wishing that I could do the same made it happen. So, I figured I might be able to use the fire a bit more directly as well.”

My face splits in a wide grin. “You’re amazing.”

Studying her face, I notice a spatter of red on her chin. The strapless red gown she’s wearing makes her look like a queen, but her bare shoulders will be cold outside.

I quickly pull the T-shirt I’m wearing over my head and hand it to her. “Here, put this on.”

Her eyes widen, and her mouth falls open as she stares at my naked chest.

Happiness surges through me, and a need to claim her to make sure she knows who she belongs to makes my cock twitch. This isn’t the place for that, though.

I grab the T-shirt and pull it unceremoniously over her head. “I’d be happy to let you stare at my body for hours. It’s all yours. But right now, we need to get you out of here.”

I turn her toward the stairs. “Do you want me to carry you?”

She shakes her head. “No, I’m fine.” After kicking off her high heels, she lifts the front of her skirt and starts ascending the stairs.

I keep my ears trained for any sign of someone heading our way as we slowly make our way to the top. My shoulders are stiff with tension. The narrow stairs aren’t the place for a fight, and the slow pace is threatening to drive me insane, but despite my offering we wouldn’t reach the top any faster if I carried her. These stairs aren’t made for my size, let alone someone my size carrying someone else.

When we finally reach the top, I fling Erica into my arms and storm out of the house and into the trees where we are out of sight.

I drop her to her feet and wrap my arms around her, my heart slamming against my ribs with happiness and relief. Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I murmur into her ear. “I’m so sorry I left. I should’ve stayed and told you how I feel about you, but I was so sure you hated me for tying you to me. I never expected you to bite me, but I should’ve warned you what would happen if you did.”

Erica’s arms come around my back, clutching me to her while she leans her forehead against my shoulder. “I thought I’d never see you again. Thank you for coming for me.”

I raise my head and stare into her eyes. “I’ll never let you go again. I hope that doesn’t scare you.”

She chuckles. “Hardly. I guess I just have to get used to having such a gorgeous man around. If it ever seems like I’m ignoring you, it’s most likely because I’m busy fantasizing about you.”

Fuck. I must be the luckiest man alive.

“I’d rather you tell me those fantasies so we can act them out.” My cock starts hardening at the thought, and I bend my head to kiss her.

Chapter 48

Erica

I’m eager for his kiss until I remember what happened not long ago, and then I pull back in horror. “I need to brush my teeth before I kiss you. I just puked my guts out on the floor.”

Lucas laughs and lifts his head. “We can save the kissing for later then. As long as I get to touch you.” The heat in his voice makes my whole body hum with anticipation and eagerness.

His hands are suddenly on my ass lifting me, but the long dress I’m wearing prevents me from wrapping my legs around him. I wriggle to try to hike it up to my thighs.

“If you want me hard for you, you’re doing a good job of it.” Lucas’s voice is rough and sends a pleasurable vibration through my body. “Not that you have to do much at all to make that happen.”

I burst out laughing and wrap my arms around his neck. “I was trying to hike my skirt up.”

“Oh, I can help with that.” He takes ahold of my skirt and yanks it up to my thighs.

“Is that better?” His large hands smooth up my thighs underneath my skirt to squeeze my ass. “I like filling my hands with these.”

Wrapping my legs tightly around his waist, I grind my hips against him. The hard ridge in his jeans rubs deliciously against my center, and I moan when my clit starts pulsing with need. “I wouldn’t mind being filled as well.”

I must be the luckiest woman alive with a mate like Lucas.

He groans and nips my neck while we desperately cling to each other.