Free Vampire's Thirst (The Awakening Series) by Cynthia Garner Page A

that.” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “So what’s to keep those obligations from making you leave me again?”
    His expression softened. “I’ve explained my…situation to the rulers, and they have accepted it. If I leave the human realm to return to the fey, you will go with me.”
    She blinked. And frowned. “I can’t just up and go to the fey realm.”
    “Why not?” He glanced around her apartment. “This is nice, but you live among vampires, surrounded by zombies. Once the zombie threat is eliminated, why would you continue to live here? We could still come back to visit your friends, if that’s what’s worrying you.” His dark brows drew down. “Unless it’s Atticus? That’s it, isn’t it? I saw the way you exchanged looks with him. What does he mean to you?”
    She almost told a fib, that she and Atticus were lovers, just to see how he’d react, but it would be done only out of pure cussed meanness, and she wasn’t going to sink that low. “We’re friends, like you and Kimber.”
    “I think he’d like to be more than that.”
    She shrugged. “Maybe.” She knew she had to tell him the rest. Even if she and Atticus had never had sex, sharing her blood with him lent an intimacy to their relationship she knew Aodhán didn’t have with Kimber. “I’m his personal donor.”
    Aodhán’s eyes darkened. “You give him your blood?”
    Natalie nodded. “There’s nothing sexual about it,” she hastened to add.
    “He lets you feel the pain of the bite, then?” He moved closer. His hands in fists at his sides, he asked, “Or does he allow his vampire glamour to turn the pain into sensual pleasure?”
    She heaved a sigh. “Okay, okay. He does that, but I don’t…” Her cheeks flared with heat and she had a feeling she was as red as a boiled lobster. “I’ve never, you know, come from it.” She scowled. “And, anyway, you weren’t here, weren’t even planning on coming back, so it’s really none of your business anyway.”
    This was not the sort of conversation she’d ever expected to have with Aodhán. Damn it. How embarrassing.
    He leaned back on his heels. “Well, at least he doesn’t give you an orgasm while he feeds.” His scowl matched hers. “I don’t like the thought of him touching you in any way.” He reached out and slowly drew her back into his arms. “Just give me another chance, mo chroí. That’s all I ask.”
    She rested her cheek against the hard muscles of his chest. She was so afraid he’d walk away from her again, and she wasn’t sure how she’d get through it a third time. He’d asked her to give him another chance. How could she?
    How could she not? If he left, she’d be heartbroken, but at least she would have tried. One thing the apocalypse had shown her about herself was that she wasn’t a coward. She refused to start acting like a scaredy-cat now.
    So she’d give him another chance. And if he hurt her, maybe she’d just bust his balls before she let him walk away from her again.

Chapter Six
    I think we can all agree that the situation is worse than we ever dreamed it could be,” Jason said. He sat beside Maggie, the fingers of one hand twined with hers, his other hand covering hers comfortingly.
    Kimber stared at him, then looked down at her own hands, fingers twisting in her lap. She was acutely aware of Leon standing several paces behind them, close enough to hear their conversation even if they whispered but not close enough to be touched. The fey woman Brigid perched on the edge of a folding chair situated between the sofa and the armchair upon which Kimber was seated. As of yet, she hadn’t contributed to the conversation. If anything, she’d seemed completely disinterested in the discussion up to this point.
    Kimber focused on the ongoing conversation. “Yes, if the fey realm has been affected, and I have no reason to doubt what Aodhán has told me, then we’re SOL.”
    “It is as he said,” Brigid murmured, her voice