One. Small. Lick.

Ethan's [POV]

"So…" Alex grinned over his cup of coffee. "How was your evening?"

"It's too early," I growled. My body was still on fire. Sleep had been hell or maybe heaven? Vampires still needed sleep, regardless of what silly books and movies said, and I'd gotten absolutely none.

Every breath she took I took with her, soaking her in, feeling her body move against mine. It was pure torture.

The human moaned.

She moaned! In her sleep! And clung to me like I was her lifeline. I hadn't felt that complete in a long time and didn't realize how hungry I was for that sort of affection until she freely gave it. Then again, she had been sleeping while I watched her.

"Your eyes are glowing," Alex mused.

"Why are you up? Didn't you take a woman home last night?" I desperately needed a subject change if I was going to make it through the rest of the morning with Genesis, teaching her, rubbing against her, smelling her. I nearly broke the mug in my hand just thinking about it.

"Kicked her out of bed after I was finished." Alex shrugged and examined his fingernails. "I bore easily."

"She wasn't entertaining enough?"

Alex let out a long snort. "It was only too easy. I asked her to strip she stripped. I asked her to lie down on the bed she lay down on the bed. Hell, I even asked the woman to purr"

"Enough." I held up my hand.

"What?" Alex reached for his coffee and took another sip. "Boring. All of them. I need a challenge. Now Genesis"

I hissed.

"Easy." He grinned. "I was only joking."

"Joke elsewhere."

Stephanie and Mason walked into the room, both of them wearing knowing smiles. Did everyone know of my hellish night?

"Ask him how he slept." Alex winked.

I threw a fork at his face. He moved his head out of the way, and the fork impaled itself into the wall.

"He's gotten quicker in his old age," Mason mused.

"It's all the women who throw things at him," Stephanie agreed. "Makes him quick."

"Oh please." Alex rolled his eyes. "They throw their bodies at me, would probably sell their souls if they could, and" He coughed. "Hey, Genesis, you look well-rested. Happy. Content. Beautiful"

"Alex." I stood, almost slicing my fingers through the table at his amused expression.

Genesis did look good.

Too good.

Gorgeous.

Flushed cheeks, red lips, gold hair.

I let out a groan, gaining everyone's attention, hers included. "Er, sorry… coffee got caught in my throat."

"You weren't drinking coffee," Alex pointed out.

"So…" Stephanie held out her hands to Genesis. "The jeans fit? I'm so glad. We'll go shopping later this week for more clothes, so you don't have to keep borrowing my stuff."

She looked perfect.

In jeans and a T-shirt.

My mouth watered the longer I stared.

Mason coughed.

I continued staring.

"Hungry?" Mason moved around the kitchen; pots started banging together. Genesis's eyes locked onto mine.

I smiled.

She blushed harder.

One. Small. Lick.

I moved closer, only to be intercepted by Mason. "Let her at least eat before you… do anything."

I shook myself out of my stupor and gave a firm nod. "Food, right? Eggs?"

Genesis flashed me a smile and then turned her attention to Mason. "Eggs would be great, but I can cook."

"Nope." Mason shook his head fiercely. "A woman's place is not the kitchen."

"Really?" Genesis looked dumbfounded.

"Course not," Alex joined in cheerfully. "It's the bedroom."

I groaned.

Genesis let out a small laugh and shook her head. At least she could pick up on when they were joking and didn't stomp back up the stairs in frustration at our backward ways.

Mason cooked while Alex stole every single ounce of Genesis's attention. Stephanie shared a pitiful look with me. Right, something's wrong in the world when a female siren feels sorry for a vampire.

I cleared my throat.

Genesis looked up.

"Would you like to take a tour of the house while Mason finishes up?"

"Sure."

I held out my hand.

"Careful." Alex stood and placed his hands on her shoulders. "If he gets you alone, you may not get breakfast…"

"Hilarious." I rolled my eyes.

"If he's hungry, I don't mind feeding him." Genesis's smoldering gaze met mine.

I swayed a bit on my feet as my fangs dug into my lower lip. I could feel my blood soar from my chest out to my fingertips as I anticipated her taste. Hell, I was in deep. My hands started to shake.

"Careful with your promises, human." Alex's lips curved into a smile. "He may just take you up on it."

Genesis took my hand, ignoring Alex, thank God, and squeezed.

We made it as far as the hallway.

I'd like to think I had enough self-control to make it further than that. I was old, controlled — but I'd never had her before.

And she made all the difference.

My fingers dug into the skin on her wrist as I tried to think of a sentence any sentence that would make sense, that I could say.

All I had was "Look, a hallway."

It was Genesis, the meek, brave little human, who stopped, lifted her head, and said, "I don't mind."

Three words.

I don't mind.

Three words. They weren't romantic. They held no lust, no desire, nothing — but to me it was trust. It was her trying.

So I gently pushed her against the wall and took her mouth with all the slowness she deserved.

Blood soared through her veins.

I'd only taken small amounts, enough to satisfy, enough to taste, enough to complete the bond.

I'd only planned on taking another few drops.

But she turned her head, causing my fangs to graze down her neck.

Blood dripped.

So I licked, savoring the feel of her warmth on my tongue.

And when I accidentally grazed her again…

I bit.