Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [49]
He wore a dark green shirt that hugged broad shoulders and went well with his red and green plaid kilt. Even his knee socks were green. She smiled at the dagger hidden beneath his right knee sock. He’d tried to take on a demon with that weapon.
His chest suddenly expanded as if a burst of energy had struck his heart. His hands jerked, and his eyes opened.
“Good morning.” She grinned. “Or rather, evening. It’s confusing—agh!” She gasped when he seized her by the arms and shoved her onto the floor.
“Connor, what are you—” She gasped again when he leaned over her, his eyes glowing red. Good heavens! He’d been awake for only two seconds. Was he already thinking about sex?
His hand slid up to her neck. “Lass, ye should never wake a sleeping vampire.”
“You woke yourself.” She shoved at his chest. “And I don’t care about the Three-Step Rule. I’m not giving you a blow job.”
Chapter Eleven
Connor reeled back. “What the—” Had he actually heard those words come from the mouth of his innocent angel?
He stared at Marielle, so stunned that he forgot for a moment how hungry he was. Or how much the sight of her had instantly incited a hunger for her body as well as her sweet-smelling blood. “Ye dinna— What did ye—?”
“There’s no need to act so surprised. Vanda told me what the glowing red eyes mean.” Marielle scrambled to her feet and gave him an indignant look. “You’re thinking about sex. Again!”
Bloody hell. He jumped to his feet. “And what were ye thinking? Ye never close yerself up with a waking vampire! I could have bitten you!”
She crossed her arms. “I don’t think it was food that was on your mind. I know about the Three-Step Rule now.”
“The what?” His stomach twinged as a hunger pain jabbed at him, demanding blood. “Never mind. I have to eat.” He threw the door open and rushed straight to the fridge.
He shot her an annoyed look as she exited the closet. “Doona ever do that again.” He grabbed a bottle of blood, wrenched the top off, and stuffed the bottle into the microwave. His gums ached with the strain of keeping his fangs from springing out.
“Why are you fussing at me?” she asked. “You were the one with the glowing eyes who shoved me onto the floor.”
He heard a gasp from the couch. Bugger. Now Phil’s sister knew what was happening. He seized the bottle from the microwave and guzzled down some blood.
Relief poured through him. The pain in his gums melted away, and his vision returned to normal.
Marielle stepped closer, peering at him. “Your eyes stopped glowing.”
He groaned inwardly. “Lass, a Vamp’s hunger is verra powerful when he first awakens. It has a way of triggering lust.” And thanks to Vanda’s interference, Marielle now knew that he’d lusted for her last night. There was no point in denying it. “I find you verra tempting and . . . beautiful.”
When she smiled, he gritted his teeth. “ ’Twas no’ meant as a compliment, lass. I’m giving you a serious warning. Ye must stay away from me until I’ve had my first bottle of blood. I could be dangerous.”
Her smile lingered. “I’ve never thought of you as dangerous.”
“Vampire.” He gave her a wry look and drank some more.
She shrugged. “I don’t believe you would harm me. Even in the closet, with all your hunger and lust, you didn’t bite me or demand sex.”
He choked on the last swallow of blood. He glanced toward the couch where he could hear some smothered giggles. Bugger. Had he made a big mistake asking Vanda to bring along a few women so they could give Marielle some female guidance?
He set the bottle in the sink. “What did ye talk about with the ladies?”
“Lots of things,” she replied. “The Three-Step Rule, oral sex—”
“Holy Christ Almighty.” He pressed a hand to his brow. “They were supposed to teach you how to shampoo yer hair, no’ give you instructions on oral sex!” His heart lurched