Sychar. Her focus should be on Sychar. Not the feckless, dark-haired temptation sitting next to her. She bit her bottom lip. But the annoying man had a point. She should take care of her blood needs before they set out. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Could she take the chance and take some of his rich blood? Maybe what she needed was someone who could spot her and warn her if she went too far.
BoD, you awake?
As if now would be the time to sleep.
Her cheeks heated, but there was no avoiding it. I need to take some blood before we leave. If I take Zamush up on his offer, can you keep an eye out and make sure I don’t go too far?
A mental grunt. I don’t even want to know why you think you’d go too far. But I’ll be happy to watch over you. You can’t be left behind when this is the first action I’ve seen in thousands of millennia.
So, you’ll do it? Her breath caught as she gazed into Zamush’s warm eyes. Could she do this? When she’d taken his blood before, she hadn’t paid attention to the man himself. She’d been so caught up in the taste of his rich blend, savoring the intoxicating mixture of light and full-bodied nourishment. Even taking Abiditan’s Akurn blood hadn’t been as fulfilling. She searched Zamush’s expression, looking for acceptance.
His face relaxed and a sensual smile creased his full lips. “Yes, after the meeting, we’ll go somewhere private.” He answered her unasked question.
She nodded.
BoD interrupted. Let’s just get this over with so we can get on with the good stuff.
Jelena didn’t know which was harder. Keeping her eyes open or listening to the same boring argument over and over.
The meeting droned on as they went back and forth about the best way to direct the diversion to free Sychar.
Enough. Her stomach cramped. It would be better to act now before she lost her nerve. With a nod to Zamush, she rose. She mumbled to Qhasheik sitting next to her that she and Zamush would be back.
The bright-red eyes of the Ibbin brightened as his eyebrows swept up. He gave a tight nod with a knowing smirk.
Ignoring his insinuating expression, she lifted her chin.
Zamush followed close behind.
A dark doorway down the hall looked as good a place as any to stop. She glanced behind to make sure Zamush was still with her. He was.
“Will this do?” She swept her hand to the open, darkened doorway.
“Of course.”
When they entered, the dim lighting brightened.
She whirled around to face him. “You don’t have to do this, you know. I’ll be just fine...”
He brought himself flush against her chest. His large hands framed her face as his dual-colored eyes softened when his gaze bore into hers. “Jelena.” His gravelly voice whispered. “You’ve nothing to fear from me. My only concern is for you. Don’t be afraid to take what you need.”
He was wrong. That was what she was afraid of. Taking what she needed. She fixated on the pulsating vein on the side of his neck. Her mouth watered at the temptation.
He leaned ever closer.
She inhaled, absorbing the inviting scent that was all Zamush. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Taking a step back, her eyes snapped open.
“No. I’d rather take from there.” She lifted his arm and turned his hand over to expose his wrist.
Zamush frowned. After a single heartbeat, he gave a nod of consent.
Once she checked his tolerant expression, she brought his fragrant skin to her mouth. Concentrating on the bounty before her, she licked the pulsating area over his wrist. The mild numbing agent in her saliva was all she could offer, since she couldn’t enthrall him to lessen the pain she’d cause.
Widening her mouth, she struck quick. She barely noticed it when the tension between her shoulders relaxed. Warm satisfaction from each draw made her shiver. Her gaze flew to him. His warm breath caressed the side of her cheek. Seductive masculine lips were mere inches from her neck.
With a gasp, she jerked her sharp fangs from his skin.
He moaned and his broad frame trembled. His lids rested at half-mast.