He leans down and kisses my neck, pulling little bits of skin between his teeth. The friction of his body between my legs combined with his hands on my breasts, his teeth against my skin has me aching.

“I can’t lose you,” I say, astonished at the desperation in my voice.

He lifts his dark head and looks straight into my eyes. “You will never lose me.”

His tone is so commanding and stern, I’m not sure how to respond. He’s saying the one thing I need to hear most of all. It’s the answer to my fears from last night.

What’s happening between us isn’t about the supernatural or the threat of death. We’ve found something special, a deep connection through all of the danger around us. If anything, it’s intensified by those things. It’s enhanced to a level that’s almost overwhelming for the both of us.

My hands are on his scruffy cheeks. My fingers touch the line of his brow. I study his features now, my eyes heavy with need.

“I have to break your skin.” His voice is low. “It might hurt you.”

“I don’t mind. I trust you.” They’re the truest words I know.

He scoops another kiss from my lips. “I wouldn’t ask it, but I think it might give me an advantage.”

“What do you mean?”

“You hear his voice at times.” His lips trace a fiery line of kisses from the center of my neck along my collarbone and back to center. “I want to see if your blood allows me to hear him, helps me find him.”

It’s a brilliant idea. Of course my vampire-hunter boyfriend… can I say that? Of course my vampire-hunter lover would think of it.

“I’ll do anything to help you.”

Our mouths reunite, and I’m lost in him. His demanding tongue plunders my mouth. His hands hold my breasts, squeezing and tweaking my nipples before moving to my ass, which he hauls onto his pelvis in one swift move. Just like that, his thick shaft invades me, deliciously stretching me, claiming my body. I’m on top, riding him, bucking my hips and allowing the friction to build a steady heat on my clit.

“Derek, Derek,” I sigh, leaning forward to place my palms on his chest. My long hair is a dancing curtain around us.

But before we’re too lost he flips me onto my back again. He’s still buried deep inside me, my legs are open and yielding. When I see he’s holding a knife, a thrill of fear splashes low in my stomach.

It’s a small, shiny blade. His hips continue to rock, albeit a little slower as he lifts it behind my ear, just at the base of my hairline. With focused attention, he presses the razor edge against my skin.

“Oh!” I yelp in pain. My insides clutch him, and steel-blue eyes flicker to mine. The pain stops, and he leans into my hair. His mouth covers the spot, his warm breath dancing over my shoulders, and I feel his tongue massaging the wound.

My core tenses, flexing around his massive cock as he begins to drink. My back arches, and my eyes roll closed. I hear the noise of my heart beating faster. I hear the noise of his heart thudding strong. My breasts are pressed against him, and our hearts beat in time.

He’s dominating me, taking my blood. My hips rock with his, and I’m lost in a whirl of sensation. He groans against my skin, and like a trigger, my insides begin to clench as sizzling heat flares out, snaking down my legs, centered in my core.

He’s pulling more, and my clit begins to pulse with every suck, spasms of pleasure with each pull. “Oh,” I gasp every time. “Oh, Oh…”

Just at the moment when I’m afraid I can’t take anymore he breaks away, groaning into my hair and pulsing hard between my legs. His head lifts, and he’s on his elbows above me, looking straight into my eyes.

The ends of his dark hair hang toward his face, his blue eyes are clouded, and his lips are stained with blood. It’s the most erotic sight I’ve ever seen, and I have to clasp my eyes shut to keep from devouring him.

“Melissa,” he groans hoarsely. “My Melissa.” His words send shimmering tingles through my body.

“Yes,” I moan as my insides quake. The circle between us is complete.

When at last the waves subside, I turn into his arms, cupping his cheeks with my hands. Our eyes are drawn together, and his seem to glow.

“Do you feel different?” I’m not sure why I’m whispering, but the moment feels sacred.

“It’s different from when I take shifter blood.” He looks to the side, almost as if he’s listening, waiting to see what the change is like. “It doesn’t hurt.”

I want to say it’s because he belongs to me. I want to say it’s because we’re one, but I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t know how any of this works.

“What will you do now?”

My question draws his attention back to me. A large hand rises to smooth my hair back, pausing at my ear. His thumb traces a line across my cheek.

“I’m late to meet Stuart.”

Lifting my head, I check the clock. Noon. “I’m sorry,” I say, but I’m not sorry he waited for me to wake up, especially after what we just did. “Will you confront him today?”

“I have to find him first. Our source says a new, strong one entered the city two nights ago. It has to be him.”

At the mention of his presence, fear grips my heart. My hands still on Derek’s cheeks, and I gently press my palms to his skin. “Please be careful.”

Warmth fills his eyes, and he leans up to cover my mouth with his once more. “I’ll be back in your arms tonight.”

Our lips chase each other’s briefly before he rises to dress. “Stay close to Elaine. I’ll need both the shifters with me today.”

I watch with a heavy heart as he slips into his slacks and sweater. His shoes are on and his blazer is over one arm, but before he leaves, he leans over the bed one last time to press his lips to mine. “I’ll be back tonight. Don’t worry.”

Easy for him to say. I watch as he leaves, then I lie back on the bed holding the little heart at the base of my neck. His heart. He carries my blood in his veins. I carry his.

With a shudder, I realize mixed into mine, he also carries my maker’s. It’s an ominous thought that fills me with sudden dread. I want to call him back. Am I allowed to pray anymore?

I don’t know the status of such things now that I’m a killer. Just in case, I close my eyes, sending silent prayers. Please come back to me, my love…

Derek

Leaving Melissa is becoming more and more difficult. Holding her in my arms, loving her, has changed everything. Before, I was obsessed with revenge. I still intend to settle that score, but now, walking back to my hotel, I see planters hanging with ferns and flowers. I see the street vendors and the children tap-dancing for tips. I hear music in the air.

The idea of taking her blood came to me this morning as I watched her sleep. She lay so still beside me, yet her slim brow was still troubled. I thought about her words. She hears his voice in her head. It’s an experiment. She’s only a hybrid, but I had to try. My one regret is not being able to alert Stuart and Patrick beforehand in case there are… unintended consequences.

Pulling my phone out to text my partner, I turn on Bienville Street heading for Bourbon when out of nowhere, BAM!

I’m hit so hard, I almost drop my phone.

Falling back against the wall, I try to catch my breath, looking around for what it was. Nothing… I see nothing around me but tourists.

For a moment, I’m confused. Am I hallucinating?

It happens again—BAM!

An invisible weight slams into my chest. My throat tightens, and my vision clouds as if a fog rolls in around me.

I can’t see anything. Fighting panic, I grip the stucco wall at my back to hold me steady. Hissing fills my ears, and a surge of jealousy slams into my stomach like a fist. I stagger, still trying to hold myself up.

It’s him. I don’t know if he’s here on the street or if I’ve only tapped into his psyche, but he’s here.