Free Devour by Andrea Heltsley Page A

Cody, however, has other plans.
    My fangs have finally disappeared but my eyes are still bright. I’m not sure what he has planned, other than the fact that he has pulled me into the corner next to the door so we are out of sight from inside.
    I think I like his idea. He gazes at me through molten, amber eyes with need and desire. I almost blush under his scrutiny. He presses me against the stone wall and places his mouth on mine again.
    Cody’ s like a drug. Now that I’ve had him, I need him. I return the kiss with more passion and desire than the last kiss held. I want to melt into him right here. His breathing increases and I let out a moan as he nips at my lip.
    I feel the blood well up, but don’t pull away. He tastes my blood and lets out a strangled noise of desire. I run my fingers through his hair and wait for what he is going to do next. He softly licks the wound closed and plants a slow, tender kiss on my lips.
    When I open my eyes, I see that our eyes are still very much alight and burning with desire for one another. Both of us are breathing heavily and all I can spit out is “wow.”
    “Mm hmm, wow about covers it,” he replies lazily.
    He pulls me towards himself and wraps his arms around me in a gentle embrace. There is silence between us for quite some time before I speak up.
    I whisper against his neck, next to his ear. “So what happens now?”
    I feel his heart speed up and then he leans into my ear until he is touching the rim and making me shiver, in a good way.
    “That’s up to you, princess. If I had it my way, we would be mated tonight, but I don’t want to push you. You’re amazing and I would be the luckiest guy in the world to have you.”
    “I’m pretty sure we have already performed all the prerequisites for the mating ritual tonight with the bloodletting. You are like my drug, Cody. I couldn’t walk away from you now if I tried. I would very much like to be mated with you.”
    Pure happiness spread s across his features as he pulls me up and swings me around in delight. I giggle in response. I want to savor this Moment forever. I have found my meant to be, my true mate.
    However, h appily ever after isn’t quite ours to grasp just yet. We’re very rudely interrupted at that Moment.
    “Put her down , Cody. Come along. I want to introduce you to my parents. I’m sure we can convince them that we deserve to be mated,” Hannah says snidely.
    My face goes red with rage and I want to knock that pretty, little head off her shoulders. I would have, too, if Cody hadn’t held me back and shook his head no. I back down, but remain on alert.
    “ I’m sorry, Hannah, but we won’t be mated together. I’ve already found my mate and it’s Callie.”
    “Nonsense, we’ re perfect for each other. Now, let’s go. I don’t want to keep my parents waiting.”
    “No! I’m not going anywhere with you,” he says more firmly. “I don’t think you’re hearing me. I’m mating with Callie. There’s no you and me. Go find another guy to drag to your parents. There are plenty of them here.”
    Hannah finally gets it and starts to pout. Oh, for heaven’s sake! “But they aren’t you, Cody! I want you!”
    She looks like a two-year- old having a temper tantrum in a pretty dress. I want to laugh, but I’m too angry about her crashing in on my Moment.
    Cody finally ignores her and turns to me. He pulls me forward and kisses my forehead. I grin ear to ear. Then he winds his hand in mine and we make our way around a very unhappy Hannah and back into the ball.
    We vaguely hear her calling after Cody, but we just ignore her.
    “Do you think we should celebrate with a drink?” I ask him.
    He snatches two drinks from a nearby waiter and hands me one. “To new beginnings and happiness for the rest of our lives,” he toasts as we clink the glasses together.
    I’ m so happy. I don’t even need the blood high, but it’s welcomed nonetheless. I swallow the contents of my glass and wait for