“Let me do this,” he said, his rumbling voice just shy of a growl. His hands were free, and he took my chin and held my head unmoving. I caught a glint of tooth, then he was too close to see anything. Not a shimmer of fear struck me as he kissed me again, pushed out by a sudden realization.

He wasn’t after blood. Ivy wanted blood; Kist wanted sex. And the risk that his desire might turn to blood catapulted me past my sensibilities and into a reckless daring.

His lips were soft with a moist warmth. His blond stubble was a striking contrast, adding to my fervor. Heart pounding, I hooked a foot behind his leg and pulled him closer. Feeling it, his breath came and went in a pant. A soft sound of real bliss escaped me. My tongue found the smoothness of his teeth, and his muscles under my hands tensed. I pulled my tongue away, teasing.

Our mouths parted. Heat was in his eyes, black and full of a fervent, unashamed desire. And still there was no fear. “Give this to me….” he breathed. “I won’t break your skin if…” He took a breath. “…you give this to me.”

“Shut up, Kisten,” I whispered, closing my eyes to block what I could of the confusing swirl of rising tensions.

“Yes, Ms. Morgan.”

It was the softest whisper. I wasn’t even sure I had heard it. The need in me swelled, compelling beyond sanity. I knew I shouldn’t, but heart quickening, I ran my nails down his neck to leave red pressure trails. Kisten shuddered, his hands falling to find the small of my back, firm and questing. Liquid fire raced from my neck as he angled his head and found my scar. His breath came in strong surges, sending wave after delicious wave through me from his lips alone.

“I will not—I will not,” he panted, and I realized he was balanced on the brink of something more. A tremor passed through me as he traced a path across my neck with his gentle teeth. A whisper of words unrecognized pattered through my thoughts, pinging my sensibilities. “Say yes…” he urged, a wisp of urgent promise in his low, coaxing voice. “Say it, love. Please…give me this, too.”

My knees trembled as the coolness of his teeth grazed over my skin again, testing, luring. His hands on my shoulders held me firm. Did I want this? Eyes warming with unshed tears, I admitted I didn’t know anymore. Where Ivy couldn’t move me, Kisten did. I prayed Kisten didn’t feel it in my fingers gripping his arms as if he was the only thing keeping me sane at this brink of time.

“You need to hear me say yes?” I breathed, recognizing the passion in my voice. I would rather die here with Kisten then in fear with Piscary.