“Hey.” Considine pointed to an entry on the list. “We’re not going to Queen’s Court Café again. He doesn’t need anymore—you already got him five varieties.”
“Mmhmm,” I said, barely registering his words.
Love. Just say it. L-O-V-E! Come on! Why is this more of a struggle than freeing Iris from House Tellier?!
Considine stood up so he could saunter around the couch and seat himself next to me. “That was a passive aggressive refusal if I’ve ever heard one. Jade, you need to stop second guessing yourself. Orrin is going to feel plenty welcomed.” He draped his arm over my shoulders, placing himself in the sunlight with me.
The red jewel of his gold ring sparkled in the light as he slid his free hand under my chin to direct my face toward his. He studied me, his red eyes intent.
I gulped and fish mouthed a few times.
Maybe this is punishment, that I didn’t believe him when he was so genuine. Yeah, this feels like a punishment.
A blush burned on my cheeks as Considine continued to observe me. “H-hi,” I stammered.
“Hello.” He smiled and tipped his head forward until our foreheads touched.
I braced myself on the couch and my adrenaline was starting to kick in like it did in any major battle I faced.
No, no, no! I’ve learned my lesson on delaying to wait for the ‘perfect moment.’ Confess! Do it! Do it now!
I took a big gulp of air, which somehow brought me closer to him. “I, I said we should discuss you drinking my blood later,” I blurted out. “It’s later.”
I immediately paused in confusion.I meant to tell him I loved him. Not talk about blood. Oh well—at least I got the conversation started. That’s better than I’ve done so far. Now I just have to follow through.
Considine pulled back just enough to eye me with interest. “Really?”
I nodded.
Considine leaned in closer so our sides pressed together. He didn’t leave an inch of space between us, even our legs were pushed together, and our closeness made the air feel electric.
Focus. FOCUS!
“So, I’ve been thinking about what you s-said,” I started. “About why you want to try drinking my blood.”
Considine shifted his arm from my shoulders, sliding it down my back so he could scoop me closer to him. “Because I would be able to extend your life,” he said. “That’s the important part, Jade. Despite all my pet names for you, I wouldn’t drink from you for the entertainment and nutritional aspect of it.”
“Yes.” I nodded and stared at my knees—if I looked into his eyes I wasn’t sure I’d be able speak. “So. I’m willing to do it.”
Considine’s slight smile dropped off his lips, and he stared at me with surprise. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
A chuckle escaped him, and he somehow seemed relieved as his entire body relaxed. “I thought I’d have to work hard to convince you.”
“You have no idea,” I glumly said.
Considine ignored me and laughed again. “I almost can’t believe it…you have no idea what this means to me, Jade.”
He moved in, his red eyes intensely focused on my lips.
Ground rules! I gotta cover the ground rules for safety. AndthenI’ll tell him I love him!
“Wait!” I planted my hand over his mouth and pushed him back. “I’m willing to do it,ifwe start slow. I don’t want you risking your life by drinking too much of my blood, so you must prove that you can survive it without any adverse effects.”
