Andres cupped the side of Shane’s head as he kissed tenderly down his jaw and along his neck, but he paused at the edge of Shane’s collar. After a moment of hesitation, he straightened just a little, reaching into his pocket.
“I um, have something to give you,” he said, and Shane swore he wasblushing.
Shane lifted his brow, trying to act nonchalant despite the sudden pounding in his chest. Andres was definitely blushing. Oh god, Shane was probably blushing now too, he could feel the heat spreading across his cheeks. “What is it?”
He could not fathom the answer, even when Andres withdrew a small velvet bag from his pocket. Andres cleared his throat, nearly handing Shane the bag before seeming to think better of it and pulling open the drawstrings on it himself. “Mercer made it to fit into the base of your collar, but you can wear it anywhere.” As he spoke, he drew out a delicate rose gold choker. It caught the light of the windows above them, and its single dangling ruby gleamed. Andres spread it between his fingers. “No one else will know what it means, but I will. And so will you.”
Shane’s already thrumming heart caught, a force like wind and fire rushing beneath his skin. He whispered the words, as though anything stronger would break the magic of the moment. “Put it on me.”
Andres’s fingers slid along Shane’s skin, trailing ever so gently. He wrapped the beautiful piece around Shane’s neck,his gaze fixed on Shane’s like he was taking in perfection. As the lock clicked into place, it sent a shiver along Shane’s skin.
He touched the hanging ruby, the stone still warm from Andres’s skin. “Tell me again,” he asked, “who do I belong to?”
“You, Shane Cowley, aremine.” His vampire growled, his hands gentle around Shane’s neck and his face bright with love and delight. “AndIamyours.”
For more of Shane and Andres, check out the free short story His Glorious Monster for their first meeting and the exclusive post-book bonus scenes only available through my newsletter!
THE STORY CONTINUES…
