Addictive (Hellish Mates #1)

Chapter 14

Though it was the first time Rina had seen a pixie, the idea of having to kill it overwhelmed any and all curiosities. But for the first time in a long time, she felt the air entering her lungs. She could see with bright-eyed clarity, and the weight bearing down on her shoulders was gone.

All because of Zachariah. The moment he reassured her of her worries, of her doubts, all the scattered puzzle pieces came back together in unity.

Then, out of the blue, he asked for her blood.

Rina couldn't help but laugh from surprise and answer, "Sure!"

Zachariah smiled. It was both tender and ravenous, and reminded her of just why she gave him the first 'yes' when he asked for a drop from her.

As she prepared to roll up her sleeve to give him her wrist, he placed a hand on her arm. "No."

"No?"

His hand rose, and he brushed the hair at her neck over her shoulder. With two fingers, he pressed her thrumming pulse.

"Here."

Rina swallowed. Zachariah's eyes flashed at the sight of the movement, and she saw the tip of his tongue peek through his lips.

"Yes?" he questioned. "...Or no?"

The pads of his fingertips pressed against her skin, seeming to touch nerves that left her weak in the knees and aching for more. But Rina wasn't that careless—regardless of what her history may prove otherwise.

"How much are you planning to take?" she cautioned.

"As much as I've missed. As much as I've craved."

She pursed her lips and tilted her head. "Not exactly an estimate, Zachy."

He blinked, as if he were caught off guard. "Zachy?"

"You like it?"

A strange light ignited in his eyes as he gazed down at her. He acted like he had never been given a nickname before.

"You..." Zachariah drawled, "...are quite adorable, aren't you?"

Rina grinned and continued to tease him. "I can say the same about you, baby."

He placed a hand beneath her chin, his eyelids becoming heavy. "You are the baby, little halfling."

A tiny tingle danced up her spine, and she bit her bottom lip. He must've noticed what sort of effect he was having on her, because the next moment, Zachariah's face was mere inches away from hers, their breaths touching and swirling in the tight space between them. His scent always had a tinge of blood to it—not surprising, as he was a vampire—but he also emitted the pheromones of a male that seemed to hit Rina in all the right places.

Before she could even think of what she was doing, Rina leaned forward. Zachariah understood what she wanted. He could've moved away, denoting that their exchange was to remain strictly for the intents and purposes of fulfilling his thirst. And yet, he didn't. He remained still, curious about the feel of her lips, the taste of her tongue, the skill of her mouth.

His curiosity was sated.

From the moment they made contact, Rina wasted no time in parting her lips and licking him with the tip of her tongue. However, she did not force an entry. No, she coaxed him into matching her movements, teasing and demonstrating what she wanted from him. It was as adorable as it was arousing, and Zachariah couldn't help but give her exactly what she asked for.

His lips molded to hers, opening to welcome her exploration. Her movements were bold yet controlled, hinting at her capabilities as well as her desires. When her tongue made contact with his elongating fangs, Rina gasped, surprised at the miniscule movement. But she didn't retreat. Instead, she lapped at the right tooth, starting near the tip and ending at his gums, flicking his upper lip from the inside.