Chapter Sixteen

The idea of bagged blood appealed more to Sugar than takeout brunettes. It shouldn’t surprise her that these types of businesses existed. If there was money to be made, someone would do it. Humans owned all types of restaurants, why not one for vampires? Daedalus hadn’t visited any while he lived among the Vasi, so she hadn’t needed to think about it until tonight.

“You make it sound like surviving on stored blood would be difficult.” The smooth wood of her cane creaked in her tight grip, and she relaxed before it could snap. Her strength was growing by the minute.

With a quiet chuckle, he turned back to his maps. “It is. Some things are better learned through experience.”

“You won’t fight me on trying?” She watched him close his files carefully and place them within an accordion folder. Very old-fashioned.

“No, if you can manage, then you’re a stronger person than I.” He glanced at her without lifting his head. “I’m just happy you’re willing to drink at all.”

She frowned. “I’m not a fool. I know this is my second chance. I’m just not happy about the way it happened though.” Judging a book by its cover could lead a reader astray, and they could lose the opportunity to find their next favorite story. She would not make the same mistake with the gift she’d been given. She hadn’t asked for eternal life, yet it had been bestowed upon her. The question remained, what would she do with it?

He raised an eyebrow. “Would you have eventually accepted my offer?”

She pressed her lips together and resisted the urge to bop him in the forehead. How did he expect her to answer? “We’ll never know.” She pointed at the files. “What were you searching for?”

“Names. I use them to help me focus my mind as I call out to my people to return.” The ease in which he spoke of such power softened the metal in her spine. He could have used his abilities to change her mind months ago, yet he hadn’t. Being his Prima would take courage that she wasn’t certain she owned. He could break her with his power.

He sat on the edge of the table and held out his arms.

Automatically, she stepped within them. Part of her wanted to shove the stake in her cane in her own chest for craving his comfort, the other part to slide her hands under his shirt and caress the hard edges of his stomach.

His hands settled on her stiff back. “Would hitting me some more make you feel better?”

“No.” She dropped her forehead against his chest and closed her eyes. Striking him hadn’t made a difference so far.

He rested his chin on top of her head. “Would hitting Pallas make you feel better?”

She laughed. He could always find a way to ease some of her heartache. Even when he was the cause of it. In the hospital, a year ago, she’d lain in bed after the doctors explained why she couldn’t move her left side anymore. She’d wanted the universe to swallow her whole, yet he had stayed by her side trying to find small ways to make her smile again, and in return, she’d inflicted pain on him by refusing to openly show her love. “Maybe, but let’s wait until he’s healed so he can have a fighting chance.”

He twirled one of her long curls around his finger until it grew so tight she had to tilt her head back because of the pain. “I love watching you walk.” With a sharp fingernail, he traced a line along her throat. “I’m sorry for not following your wishes, but don’t ask me to apologize for wanting you at my side. Not after what we just shared.” Bending forward, he replaced his fingertips with his fangs.

Her eyelids fluttered shut at the pressure, but he didn’t break skin. “Can you still feed from me?” It had been a pleasure she’d quit indulging in after the attack.

He growled low and deep in his chest. The vibration traveled over her hands. “Yes, but not for nourishment.”

“Who will you feed from now that the Vasi are gone?”

Running his tongue over her skin, he sighed. “Blood in a bag.”

She pressed her hands against his chest so she could look him in the eye. “You don’t like it though.”

“No.”

Gnawing on her bottom lip, she allowed her gaze to wander away from his. She was hurting him again. Not intentionally, but her ideas of right didn’t fit in a vampire’s life. More than her body would have to change. Clementine had gone through this yet still remained one of the gentlest people Sugar knew, and she also admitted to using the feeding service.

Sugar cleared her throat. “Maybe you should order someone.”

The muscles under her hands tensed. “Really?” He tapped his chin. “I wonder if that redhead I liked is still in the business.”

She punched him in the stomach before the action registered in her mind. “Oh shit.”

“You’re getting stronger already.” He grunted between words. “Caught me off-guard too.” Hooking his arm around her neck, he pulled her closer. “I was just teasing. I like them blonde.”

* * *

Hunger burned in Daedalus’s gut now that Sugar had dangled the option of fresh food in front of him. He hated the idea of blood in a bag. Vampire couples could experience a great deal of pleasure sharing a meal. He’d witnessed shifters and humans alike enjoying their food with as much passion as a vampire. Restaurants lined streets in every city, people paid extravagant prices for exotic dishes, and they even had whole television networks on cooking. The only difference was vampires considered blood their food. Some of his people had a more refined palate, some ate only organic, and others, like Pallas, had a taste for…junk food.

“You’re still teasing me. I’m trying to be serious.” Sugar rubbed the spot she’d punched. It didn’t really hurt but he enjoyed the attention. If only he could get her to rub lower. “Stop it.”

“What?”

“You’re thinking about your cock again.”

“I wish you’d think about it more.” He set her hand on his shaft and showed her how to stroke it.

The heat of desire flashed in her eyes, and for a blinding moment, the last year of pain had vanished. He’d sacrifice anything to keep it this way.

She gave his hardening cock a solid squeeze. “Is it so difficult to think without this being involved?”

“With you in the room? Yes.” He cupped her breasts. “I’ve been deprived. We must make up for the lack.”

Just like that, the humor in her eyes disappeared. He could have ripped his tongue out. She brushed her fingertips over his zipper before letting her hands fall at her sides. “Yeah.” The word fell flat between them.

He gave her breast a farewell caress. See ya later, he hoped. An apology emerged in his thoughts, and he quelled it. How many times could he say I’m sorry? It obviously wasn’t working. Probably because deep down inside he wasn’t. He had what he wanted, and now he needed to convince her she wanted it too.

“I’m not sure how this will work between us. I can’t stand the idea of you being with another woman.” A tear spilled along her cheek before she punched him again.

“Okay.” He dragged out the word. “That spot’s going to start tingling soon if you keep this up.” Then what she said finally sank in. “Wait, what? Being with whom?”

“You’ve already mentioned how you’re not fond of feeding from men all the time, and I can’t picture myself pressing against a woman or holding her…” She shrugged. “If I’m going to feed from men, I can’t stop you from feeding from women.”

“What happened to blood in a bag?” He shouted the question. Hell no, she wasn’t getting cozy with any kind of male. Pushing off the table, he rose to his feet and took a deep breath to clear his head.

She paced across the room, cane in hand clicking with her steps. “I’ll try it, I said, but if I can’t, what are my options? I’ll have to find humans who’ll feed me. Shifter females are so possessive. I can’t imagine asking the Vasi for help. Maybe I should talk to Clementine instead. She might have some suggestions as to where—”

He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her to face him before she could wear a hole in his floor. “It’ll be fine, Sugar.” Cradling her in his arms, he pressed her shaking form to him. He couldn’t remember much of being a fledgling. Things were different for him and Pallas. “I’ve been a vampire longer than Clementine and know something about staying fed.”

“I know, but I don’t want to hunt on the streets for bad guys.” Her voice came out muffled against his chest.

He couldn’t stop his grin. “I do that for shit and giggles. I wouldn’t expect you to join me.” There was primeval satisfaction about hunting dangerous prey and feeding until their life drained from them. His clan’s urge to kill was the strongest. It made them fantastic warriors.

Unfortunately the days of wars were long gone. He’d chosen to fight crime in his own way to ease these urges. He would teach Pallas this as well. Hopefully it would be enough for him.

She nodded, her face rubbing on his shirt.

“Let’s start with a date.”

Jerking in his arms, she glared at him. “And do what?”

“Like other couples. I’ll take you to dinner and a movie.” He grimaced. “Unless you want to dance.” After a millennia, he still couldn’t keep rhythm to save his sorry ass.

“That sounds…nice.” A pale blush colored her cheeks. Hope swelled his chest that he could still induce this reaction from her.

“The vampire population is more prominent in this area than in Chicago. Many businesses cater to our needs.” He twirled her around to face the door and gave her a swat on the rear for good measure. She truly owned the nicest heart-shaped butt he’d ever laid eyes on. “The sun will be rising soon. To bed.”

She hesitated at the door. “Shouldn’t I sleep in a coffin like you did at home?”

“Not here. The windows are shuttered during daylight hours. We’re safe.” He offered her a reassuring smile.

It didn’t seem to help. “We could have done that at the brownstone for you.”

He crossed the room until he stood close to her, skimming his fingertips along her jaw. “You would have done it, wouldn’t you?”

She cocked her head. “Of—of course. I’m sorry it never occurred to me.”

Sighing, he traced her rosebud lips. It was this lack of deception, this honest desire to do good for those around her, which drew him to Sugar like a bee to honey. She was an enigma. Or maybe his life had been so filled with darkness that someone with such a generous soul would seem so to him. “I wouldn’t have allowed it. Shuttering the sunlight out wouldn’t have been fair to you or the Vasi.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and whispered, “Besides, how would you have enjoyed your gardens with the windows all covered?”

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