“Do you want to talk about your stalker?”
Finn shook his head again. “No. I want to stay like this and finish this damn ridiculous movie with you. Because I haven’t felt at peace like I do right now in ages.”
“Same.” I was pretty sure I hadn’t been this calm ever since my life had ended and my existence had begun.
So I put my arms around Finn, pulled him closer, and inhaled deeply, taking in his heady scent. His blood was calling to me, steadily pumping through his veins, enticing me to take a bite.
But I refrained.
Instead, I closed my eyes, let his scent wash over me, and just… existed.
With my mate in my arms, my existence didn’t look so bad anymore.
Finn was quietly snoring at my side, his head lolling on my shoulder, his body lax against me. His deep, even breaths and slow, steady heart rate told me he was dead asleep.
Completely relaxed.
The movie had finished ages ago, but I didn’t mind being used as a pillow. Not if Finn was the one doing it. I used the opportunity to snap a couple of pics of him, all relaxed and cuddled against me, of us cuddling on his threadbare couch.
Checking out the photos, I marveled at my own expression. I barely recognized myself in the pictures, but it wasn’t a bad look for me at all. I was… happy. Content.
Finn sighed, shifting his weight, and I carefully moved to the side, grabbed a pillow, and gently placed it under his head. I brushed a couple of strands of hair out of his face and watched for any signs of him waking up, but there were none. No hitch in breathing, no elevated pulse.
He really was out for the night.
I got up quietly and grabbed his comforter from his bed, then gently tucked him in. He let out a happy sigh and snuggled deeper into it.
I should probably leave.
Hell, it was almost midnight. It was definitely time for me to go.
But I was reluctant to.
I caressed his cheeks and petted his head.
The vein in his neck sang to me, drawing me in. It’d be so fucking easy to take a bite. He’d never know.
My conscience said no, but my whole body screamed yes.
He was what I really wanted. Had always wanted. His blood, not some random guy’s.
Usually, I didn’t think twice about taking a little sip from an unsuspecting human, but it was different with Finn.
Consent was important.
I chuckled quietly. Bennie would have a lot to say about consent being important, while I basically stalked Finn, which was crossing all sorts of boundaries.
But that was different.
Watching over him was important. I was doing it for Finn, to keep him safe.
Drinking from him wouldn’t be for him. It’d be forme. Selfish. He needed all the blood he had until his iron levels increased.
But maybe…
I bit my lip, piercing the delicate skin in the process because my fangs had come out.
Maybe I could make just a little prick.
