A hint of weakness slipped into my voice. "It's not so much the consent issue as the physical act of drinking blood that abhors me."
Before I met Scotty, I would've had no trouble at all saying such a thing. But now the words felt like a lie. I wanted him so badly, in every way imaginable.
"I see," Scotty said.
His tone implied he didn't believe me. I didn't blame him. My resolve was wavering right before his eyes.
So much for being a noble vampire. I was just as bloodthirsty and hedonistic as the rest of them.
"I guess that's too bad," Scotty said with a shrug. "I was gonna offer you some of mine."
If I wasn't already technically dead, that would've stopped my heart.
"I'm sorry?" I blurted out.
"I mean, humans have a lot of extra blood, right? That's why we can donate it. Well, I'm not allowed to give since I'm anemic, but most people can."
A protective flash seared me at the mere idea of Scotty donating blood, be it to a good cause or to a bad one—AKA, me.
A growl slipped out of my lips as I gripped his hands. "No. You cannot. You need your blood, Scotty."
"But if you need it to live, I can give you a tiny bit—"
"No. I told you, I've survived off blood substitute my entire vampire life. I don'tneedblood. Especially not yours."
Scotty didn't seem to be paying attention. He was regarding the lower half of my face intently.
"Malachi?" he said.
"Yes?"
"You're, um... salivating."
I slapped a hand over my mouth and discovered to my utmost horror that Scotty was right.
Good lord. I was painfully hard, thirsty for blood, and now I was drooling. How much farther could I fall tonight?
I ran to my dresser to retrieve a handkerchief and promptly cleaned my face. Shame flooded me. Scotty was seeing me at my utter worst. How could he still want to be around me?
"I am terribly sorry," I murmured, pocketing the handkerchief. "This isn't indicative of my usual behavior, I assure you."
Scotty chuckled warmly. "It's okay. It's cute to see a vampire act so normal."
Cute? Did he just refer to me, a bloodthirsty monster, ascute?
I muttered, "You are the one who is cute, not I."
That made him laugh more. The sweet sound filled the room, twisting my heart into knots. How was Scotty so perfect?
"Ah, I laughed too hard," Scotty said. He sighed, putting a hand to his head. "Do you mind if I lay down?"
"Please, go ahead. You don't need to ask. Use my room as you see fit."
Scotty nodded slightly before slumping against the mattress. Worried now, I rushed to his side. He looked a tinge pale.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
He breathed hard. "Yeah. I took my pills earlier but I'm feeling a bit woozy. Probably from all the excitement. Just need a break. And maybe a juice box..."
