“Is that your way of saying we may need more of it in the future?” Bennett said, setting the things aside.

“No, it’s my way of saying we could need more of it in the future, but not unless you tell me what happened last night. One minute you’re demanding I leave your apartment, and the next, I’m spending four hours being taken by you in all kinds of ways. I’m not saying I minded, Bennett. Hell, you know I didn’t mind, but seriously…what the fuck went on last night?”

Bennett released a drawn-out breath and motioned toward the sofa. “Have a seat. I just opened a bottle of Syrah. Would you like a glass?”

“Um…yeah. That would be great.”

“Good. Be right back.”

Bennett returned a minute later and handed Ruby a glass. Sitting down, Bennett tucked one leg under her as she looked at Ruby. “Look, as much as this life allows me to be, I’ve always tried to be honest. I realize that what I’m about to say could end what we have, and that’s fine, but I told you I’d be honest with you, and I won’t stop now.”

“Okay?” Ruby said, keeping her eyes on Bennett as she took a sip of her wine.

“It seems someone sabotaged me. The blood supply I had here was well past its expiration date, and I’d been maintaining with it for nearly a month. When I ordered you to leave, it was because I was on the verge of a starve.”

“Do you mean like what you described after Max found you in that dungeon?”

“Exactly. I didn’t know why suddenly I couldn’t control my…um…my instincts, but once I felt them rise to the surface, I knew I had to get you out of here for fear if I didn’t, I’d hurt you.”

Ruby took another taste of her wine and thought about what Bennett had said. “By hurt me, you mean bite me?”

“Yes…or worse. Actually, most likely, it would have been worse.”

“Are you saying all of this to scare me?” Ruby said, eyeballing Bennett. “I mean, so that you can just break this off? Tell me to move on?”

“What? No, of course not. You asked what happened, and I’m telling you. To sugarcoat it would mean to lie, and you are involved with a vampire, so you have the right to know the truth.”

“And afterward? You were so amped up when you got to my place. What the hell happened?”

“What do you think happened? I’ve explained myself enough that you should know—”

“Oh, you fed…and not out of a bag.”

“That’s correct.”

“But how? Where?”

“The where doesn’t matter, and the how was with Lisa’s help.”

“Wait. You demand I leave, and then you call her? Last time I checked, she’s a mortal, too.”