the side, leaning in the direction of his hand.
Nathaniel caressed her again then, just beneath her ear...just above her vein. He was sending small bolts of electricity through her body each time he made contact, slowly letting her feel the power that existed between them.
She couldn't possibly understand how strong their connection really was. At least not yet.
He knew she would continue to try and convince herself that it was all him. That he was somehow making her do things she wouldn't otherwise do.
She had no idea that she was drawing him in as forcefully as he was drawing her.
A territorial male could not deny the needs of his female—
not even if he wanted to. As long as she felt insecure, he would be compelled to touch her.
"Your condition, angel?"
She took a deep breath. "The condition is that you tell me the truth."
"Of course," he assured her.
"And don't avoid any of my questions."
"I'll do my best...." His words hung in the air like moisture on a rainy night.
She met his gaze for a moment, and the hazel green centers of her eyes immediately softened as she reacted to the waves of reassurance he was sending her.
"I don't even know where to begin," she told him honestly.
83
Blood Destiny
by Tessa Dawn
Nathaniel leaned in closer. "Start with something easy."
"Like?"
"Like what we are," he suggested.
"Vampires." She said it courageously.
"Yes."
She drew back, visibly shocked by his directness. He moved then, from the floor in front of her to the sofa beside her. He placed his hand on the nape of her neck and massaged it gently. It was not meant as an advance or to make her uncomfortable, but simply to make it clear that he intended to face this head-on with her. That he would not retreat from the truth of what he was...or what he wanted with her.
Her next question was surprisingly blunt. "Do you sleep in a coffin?"
He bit his lower lip, suppressing a smile. "No, I sleep in a comfortable king-size bed." He knew his eyes glittered with suggestion, so he briefly looked away.
She ignored the comment. "Can you be out during the day...in the sunlight?"
"Absolutely," he answered, "but we are nocturnal beings, Jocelyn. I prefer to sleep in the day and work at night; although, often it is necessary to conduct business during normal hours."
Jocelyn slowly exhaled. She appeared to be gathering her courage. "Do you...drink blood?"
"Yes."
Her hand went instinctively to her throat. "Please tell me you don't intend to drink mine. Please."
84
Blood Destiny
by Tessa Dawn
The room was silent. And so was he. Unsure of how to respond. He would never use her as prey—just to feed—but the idea of tasting her someday, if and when she was willing to freely offer, was more than just a little erotic. Staring at the soft shade of her caramel-colored skin, the graceful curve of her neck as it rose elegantly above her sternum, he could almost taste her essence now.
After several seconds—when he still didn't answer—she sat forward, shifted nervously in her seat, and asked him more directly, "Are you or are you not planning to drink my blood, Nathaniel?"
His smile was flirtatious. "Not without your permission, Jocelyn." He leaned guardedly into her, gently nuzzled her neck, inhaled her scent...and then groaned.
She jumped back and pushed him away. "What are you doing?"
"Just imagining..." He smiled, a crooked grin, like the proverbial cat that ate the canary.
She squirmed and sank deeper into the sofa. "Quit playing!
I'm trying to ask you a serious question here. At least I think it's pretty damn serious."
He watched her with appreciation, intrigued by her anger.
"I'm sorry. I was distracted. What was your question, love?"
She smirked. "Whether or not you plan to drink my blood—whether or not you want to drink my blood. Like right now, when you just...smelled me, did you feel some overwhelming urge to—"
"No. I was teasing you." He lightly traced the contour of her neck with his fingers. "You are
Tiffanie Didonato, Rennie Dyball