Kindled (Book 3 The Kindred Series) by Erica Stevens Page B

tighter against her. She gasped in surprise when he swiftly lifted her and laid her on the bed. For a moment he pulled back, h is eyes questioning and worried even though they blazed with his fiery longing. She managed a small nod and a smile.
       When he came back to her, his kiss was no longer wild with urgency, but so sweet and gentle that it nearly broke her heart. He kissed her for a long time . Cassie savored in the delicious sensations he aroused in her body, losing herself to him completely. Slowly, it began to change as his hunger beat against her. She didn ’ t know how long it had been since he had fed, but she suspected that he had not been doing it as often as he should.
       And that was her fault. He had been so busy worrying and watching over her that he had not been taking care of himself. Guilt tugged at Cassie as she became even more desperate to be the one to ease his torment.
      G rasp ing his head , Cassie kn e w she would have to make the first move here . He would not go forth otherwise. Gently guiding his head down, she turned her head to allow him better access to h er neck. He hesitated for a moment, his mouth hot against her skin. His body stiffened a gainst hers once more. Cassie’s heart thumped loudly in anticipation , each beat pound ed like a drum in her ears.
       She waited breathlessly; scared to move f or fear he would pull away. Then, with a small moan , h e brushed his lips lightly against the tender skin of her neck. Cassie’s hands tightened in his hair as she felt the fluttering brush of his fangs. Another light kiss stroked over her, and then he struck.
       Cassie arched off the bed, a small gasp of pain escaping as her hands clenched upon him. His hand entangled lightly in her hair , pulling her head back as he sank deep er, drinking forcefully in long , greedy gulps . His other arm locked firmly around her waist , pulling her against him. Cassie groaned, falling back upon the bed, turning her head to the side as the pain faded away and pleasure rushed forward to engulf her in waves that left her breathless and limp. Her tight grip eased on him as she became suffused in a world of ecstasy and pleasure .
       It took her a moment to realize that it was his pleasure she was feeling. It surrounded her, wrapping her within a tight cocoon of warmth and need. His love consumed her, swallowing her completely. It was so true, so pure that it robbed all logical thought from her. It pounded against her, over her, through her . It end ed all her doubts , and any lack of self confidence she had ever experienced in his presence.
       She suddenly saw herself through his eyes, and to him she was beautiful, loving; strong. He knew that she was not perfect, and he loved her even more for he r faults, accepting every one of them . However there was nothing about her that he would change, or would even think about changing . Tears burned her eyes as her heart swelled, feeling as if it w ere going to burst with joy.
       She could also feel his hunger. The thirst that was constantly with him, that plagued him at all times. The battle he fought with himself constantly, especially around her , to maintain control of his murderous instincts . The depth of his need and want for her was staggering . It shook her thoroughly. And something she had n ever thought could be possible began to happen, her love for him grew. The control it took for him to be around her was far more than she ever could have imagined , and she loved him even more for his ability , and desire , to do so .
       Cassie tried desperately to relay her own pleasure and love to him, praying fervently that it reached him as easily as his reached her. She held him tighter, cradling him against h er, u naware of the tears of joy and love that slid down her face. “I love you,” she whispered over and over, just in case her thoughts were not reaching him , she wanted her words too.
       Even when he bit deeper, harder, she felt