Sweet Ruin (Immortals After Dark 16)

Immortal? “How old are you?”

“Seven millennia.”

Holy shit! Would she live to be that old? Her mind couldn’t wrap around that number.

“You must be old as well to be this strong.” Nope. “Strange you don’t have a vampire’s scent.”

“What do you think vampires smell like?”

“Aggression and blood.” He leaned his forehead to hers. “Were you very hungry, or did you enjoy my taste?” His tone was gruff, almost vulnerable. “How do I . . . how does my blood compare to others?”

“It’s amazing.”

The corners of his lips curled into that cocky, slanted grin. “What we just did is wicked. Loreans would consider it a taboo.”

Loreans? “Okay. Whatever.”

“Whatever,” he repeated in a rasp. “You not only don’t give a shit, you’re looking at my neck like you want seconds.”

“And thirds and fourths.”

His brows drew together suspiciously. “Have you drunk another of my kind?”

“No, never.”

“Then why did you do it? I warned you I was poisonous.”

She shrugged. “You smelled . . . right.”

“Right?” He said the word as though he were testing it, trying it on. “If you prick me with those fangs again, I’ll penetrate you with this.” He thrust, rubbing his dick over her mound. “Just so we understand each other.”

“Ah! S-seems fair.” She wasn’t the only one who likened her bite to sex.

His sigh-worthy grin deepened. “Tell me your name.”

In a breathless tone, she said, “Josephine.” She’d just given him her name? Her real name.

“The pleasure’s mine, Josephine.” He ripped her panties clean off her body. Then he pocketed them.

Something to remember her by? Because he was going to nail and bail her? As with those other females, he still hadn’t taken off his bow. Ooh, wouldn’t he still have nymph funk on him? And she didn’t have protection. Not that she could get pregnant—no periods—but still . . .

“Now it’s your turn to come,” he informed her. “I’m going to demonstrate that I’ve got more than hints of game. In fact, I believe I promised you I’d make you see stars.”

“I like stars,” she murmured.

He leaned in. To kiss her? “My bag of tricks just got far more extensive. I’m eager to explore this with you.”

Explore. That sounded less nail-and-bail-y. Maybe give him a shot. She eased closer to meet him—

Giggling sounded from the courtyard gate. Rune drew back.

Two women in skimpy party dresses whistled at them. A blonde and a redhead. Like the four she’d seen earlier, this pair appeared too flawless to be human.

“Ah, water nymphs,” he said.

“We heard you across town, Rune!” the blonde said. “It sounded like you lost your ever-loving mind.”

His wide jaw clenched. Well, he didn’t like that comment at all. In a nonchalant tone, he said, “When it’s good, it’s good.”

Good? Dick, please. Her ears were still ringing from his yells.

The redhead added, “If you’re in such a desirous mood, we can tag out with her.”

Hello? He was obviously taken. Clue one: she was panties-less, with her legs wrapped around him. Not a chance, freaks.

“Of course, doves. Later.”

He did not just say “later.”

“We’ll find you after some trysts,” the redhead called. “We’ve got something we know you’ll like.”

“Come back at sunrise,” he told them.

Four nymphs at sunset. One vampire at midnight. A couple more nymphs at dawn?

They blew him kisses and sashayed away.

He returned his attention to Jo. “Nymphs: can’t live with them . . .”

She’d just gotten this guy off—his dick was still wedged between them—and he was making a date with other women! With . . . with nymphs! Asshole!

Why would he do that? He’d reacted to her far more strongly than he had to those others.

Even more confusing? His expression toward Jo was tender. She could almost pretend he was seeing her. Except for the fact that he was planning to see others.

“Now, where were we?”

“You were just arranging a couple of hookups for later.” Her claws sharpened.

He cast her a disappointed look. “Jealousy? You’re already possessive of me.” He too was coming out of a lust haze, seeming to wake up. “I don’t do jealousy. Great gods, vampire, I’ve known you for a total of fifteen minutes.” He dragged his hips back, then all but dropped her. “I haven’t even swived you yet.” He yanked up his pants, dressing so fast his movements were a blur.

She swatted her skirt down. “Possessive? As if I’d want you for my own.” I’d kind of wanted you for my own. I want someone for my own! “You’re just a blood bag in a big-dicked package. Who didn’t last long enough to get me off.” Story of her life! Her lips drew back from her fangs.

With a growl, he pressed her against the wall again. “You’re baring your fangs at me? Defying me again? You have no idea what I could do to you!”

“Do to me? Other than leave me hanging?”

“I fed you, did I not?” He trailed his fingers over her bite mark, and a look of realization dawned on his face. “You bit me, drinking my blood straight from my flesh. Something I have never had to worry about. Blood-taking has consequences, female. Which you well know.”