Chapter 44

S imon retracted his hand, humming in approval as I came down from my orgasm. He lifted his hand, brushing his wet fingers over my lips. I opened my mouth to taste myself on him

I buttoned my jeans, sitting up and resting my elbows on the table when he released me. Simon kissed my shoulder again, taking a triumphant sip of his champagne.

"We could have stayed home if you wanted to do that," I teased breathlessly.

Simon laughed. "I didn't know I wanted to do that when we left." He downed the rest of his champagne and stood, taking my hand. "Come with me."

"Where? It's the middle of the show," I protested.

"I'm not finished with you," he said simply.

"Well, when you put it like that, who am I to resist?"

I finished my glass of champagne and followed him. Simon flashed me a charming smile through the dark as we wound our way through chairs. My heart galloped in my throat as I realized the amount of people in the room. Any one of them could have seen what we did… and yet all their eyes were fixed on the glittering stage.

Instead of dragging me outside like I thought he would, Simon turned toward the stage. My footsteps faltered and my eyes widened, but I continued to follow. He glanced back at me twice as we moved closer and closer to the stage. Simon didn't hesitate to open a door next to the stage, pulling me through it and into a dark hallway. It was immediately quieter back here, but the music pulsed and shook the walls.

"Simon," I whispered, unsure whether I was protesting or not.

We moved deeper backstage. I blinked when we stepped into the light—a hallway bustling with people. People dressed, undressed, sprayed hairspray, laughed, stretched. We moved past every one of them. A few glanced at us, but we mostly went unnoticed. Another turn, and we were in a second, quieter hallway.

I couldn't say another word because Simon's mouth crashed against mine, his tongue sliding past my teeth. I clung to his shirt, sucking softly on his tongue. Simon popped the button on my jeans and pushed them down.

"There are people twenty feet away," I murmured against his mouth.

"And you're going to stay very quiet while I fuck you," he growled.

He paused and met my gaze, searching for my consent. I nodded, pulling him closer so I could kiss him again. Simon pushed my jeans further over my hips, lowering himself to one knee to pull my pants off. I watched the beautiful vampire in front of me as he stood and cupped my face in his hands. Simon nipped at my bottom lip, tugging hard. The jingle of his belt echoed in my ears.

This was the hottest thing I'd ever done.

Simon boosted me up so I could wrap my legs around his waist. His hard length rubbed against me; I rolled my hips against him, moaning as heat coursed through me.

"Quiet, Lucinda," Simon reminded me.

He lifted my hips higher, his tip gliding over me. I shifted my hips, desperate to feel him inside me. Simon's tongue flicked over my top lip, then slid past my teeth as he claimed my mouth in the same instant he thrust into me.

I cried out as he filled me. Simon covered my mouth with his hand. I rolled my hips up into his, my nails digging into his shoulders.

"I want to taste you," Simon breathed.

I nodded feverishly against his mouth. Simon kissed down my face, his tongue gliding over my skin and leaving galaxies in his wake. My head fell against the wall; I was prey to every ounce of pleasure he provided as he caressed the deepest parts of me.

His fangs sank into my throat.

My blood spilled into his mouth. Simon's thrusts never faltered as he drank from me. My fangs extended and black veins rippled over my face as pleasure and bloodlust coursed through me. I wanted Simon's blood as much as I wanted his body—more, maybe.

As if he had read my mind, Simon raised his wrist and pressed it to my mouth. I wasted no time in biting down. My fangs cut through his skin like he was made of butter.

I had him.

Simon's blood tasted like starlight, tingling over my tongue and filling me with the strength of a thousand galaxies. I gulped hungrily. The taste of him enhanced my pleasure, and I couldn't help but moan. Simon pulled away from my throat with a gasp, gripping my hip with his free hand to hold me still as he pounded into me again and again.

"Yes, my darling, take everything you need from me," Simon snarled. "I've got you."

I knew he did. I trusted him.

He was everything.

I'd never felt like that before, for anyone.

I blinked at Simon and released his wrist, my eyes widening considerably. His gaze met mine, and it was like he realized the same thing I did.

Each of his next thrusts came with more intensity than before. I felt them with every ounce of my body and soul.

Simon lowered his bleeding wrist to grip my free hip, boosting me higher. He never broke eye contact. I was glad he didn't.

In his eyes, I saw my future. I saw a lifetime of adventures, pleasure, and companionship. I wanted all of it. All of him.

As he looked back at me, I was so sure I had it.

"Are you ready to come for me?" Simon breathed.

"Yes," I gasped.

He shifted his hips again, and then he was hitting the deepest, most sensitive part of me. My mouth fell open in delight. Simon gripped my chin, keeping me exactly where I was—never letting me look away.

"I love you," Simon blurted.

I couldn't respond. My mind erupted into a million tiny stars as my orgasm crashed through me.

After a few more thrusts, Simon followed me over the edge.

His head fell onto my shoulder and he slumped against me. I clung to him, wrapping both arms around his shoulders as we panted in unison. Simon's tongue dragged over the wound he'd left on my throat as the last of it healed. He growled deeply.

"You taste like fucking heaven," he said.

"I'll take that as a compliment," I teased weakly.

I flicked my tongue over my fangs. Only a couple drops of blood dripped into my mouth, reminding me that I was starving.

"We should go," Simon murmured.

I realized a moment too late that everything seemed a little too quiet. Music no longer pulsed through the building. All I could hear was the distant roar of the crowd talking and mingling during intermission and the cacophony of chatter from the performers in the hallway… and one heartbeat closer to the rest.

A strong voice echoed through the hallway. "You can't be back here."