Free Crimson Moon by Carol Lynne Page A

bad.”
    “Why would you risk your life for someone like that?” It didn’t make sense to Gunnar. Sure Neo had faults, but Gunnar rarely questioned his friend’s ethics.
    “Because we’re all tied to him. If keeping Ian alive means all vampires keep their souls, it’s worth it. None of us asked for what we’ve become. Risking my life to ensure his safety is the least I can do for the rest of you.”
    “Do you really believe our souls are tied to him? What if he’s lying?” Gunnar had heard a lot of stories about the Blessed Creatures over the years but that didn’t make them all true.
    “Why would he do that?”
    “Can you think of a better way for him to gain our loyalty?” Still wrapped in Gunnar’s arms, Ramiro went perfectly still. Gunnar knew it wasn’t easy to think of a friend as a liar, especially about something as important as one’s soul.
    “I need to find him,” Ramiro finally said.
    “Do you have any idea where he may have gone?” Gunnar asked.
    “No, but maybe with Spiro and Neo’s permission, there’s a way.”
    “How?”
    “The Royal Donors are tied to Ian. The reason it’s forbidden for any vampire to share a donor with the King is because of those ties. If I feed from one of them I’ll be able to locate him.”
    “So why didn’t you do that earlier when you first found the bodies of those guards?”
    Ramiro began kissing Gunnar’s neck and for a few delightful moments, Gunnar assumed he didn’t plan to answer the question. When Ramiro’s hand travelled down to lower Gunnar’s zipper, Gunnar couldn’t have cared less whether he received an answer or not.
    With his cock free, Gunnar pulled Ramiro on top of him. “Need to feel you,” he moaned, thrusting up against the hard bulge in Ramiro’s suit pants.
    Ramiro reached between them and within moments his bare cock rubbed against Gunnar’s. “That what you needed?”
    “Hell, yes.” When the boulder under him started to scratch as his flesh, Gunnar stilled and allowed Ramiro to rub and grind against him. “You feel so good.”
    “ Mmmm , so do you,” Ramiro said right before he thrust his tongue in Gunnar’s open mouth.
    Because Ramiro hadn’t pushed his pants out of the way, the fine wool material continually rubbed against the underside of Gunnar’s sac. Gunnar grabbed Ramiro’s butt and squeezed. His middle fingers delved into the crack of Ramiro’s ass and brushed the sweet hole he was becoming addicted to.
    When Gunnar pressed the tip of one finger against the hole, Ramiro’s body bucked against him. Breaking the kiss, Ramiro actually whimpered as he shot his seed between them. It was the erotic aroma of his lover’s cum mixed with the forest’s natural scent that pushed Gunnar over the edge. “Fuck!” he ground out.
    After several moments, Ramiro groaned and rolled off Gunnar. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped Gunnar clean before taking care of himself. “I need to talk to Neo before dawn. If I’m going to find Ian, I’ll need to feed at dusk.”
    “Why do you need Neo’s permission to feed?” Gunnar asked.
    “Feeding from Ian’s Royal Donors is punishable by death. If I do this, I’m going to need some kind of protection.”
    Gunnar’s skin broke out in gooseflesh. He’d long ago made the decision to put his life on the line for what he believed, but to hear Ramiro say he’d do the same fuelled a protective instinct in Gunnar like he’d never known. “No. I can’t let you do that.”
    “Yes you can.” Ramiro leant down and placed a quick kiss on Gunnar’s lips. “I’m damn good at my job, and Ian is my responsibility.”
    Gunnar couldn’t argue the necessity of what Ramiro felt he had to do. His protest was completely personal. He simply wasn’t ready to let Ramiro go yet. There were so many things he wanted to know and experience with Ramiro. “Can I go with you when you talk to Neo and Spiro?”
    “Yes. You need to get a few things straight with Neo