Griffin tows me over to Evan’s couch and guides me to take a seat. He lowers himself much more gracefully to sit right next to me, so our thighs are touching. “How much do you know about vampire feedings?”
“I’ve taken all the species classes. I know fresh blood is necessary for vampires because your cells are constantly replicating faster than your bodies can sustain the process.”
Griffin nods a little. “That’s the science and what our kind has allowed humans to know, but do you know what happens when a vampire takes from a host, directly from the vein?”
I give a half shrug and look away from him. “Ally told me there’s a connection formed. She said that was why Millie was…” I search for the right word, my goal here isn’t to out her very obvious crush on Griffin. “So devoted to you.” I wince, wishing I could have come up with something better.
“She has never bitten me,” he hastily informs me.
“I know. Ally explained that to me too. You give your blood to help vampires go through the transition. She also said if Millie would drink from the vein, the connection would fade, so she’s prolonging it by only drinking bagged blood.”
“Still?” He gives me a dubious expression. “Never mind. That’s not what’s important right now.”
“Whatisimportant?” I prompt when he doesn’t say anything else for a breath.
Griffin lays his hand over my leg and wraps his long fingers around the lower part of my thigh. “A long time ago, someone tried to control me with that connection, so I’ve done everything to avoid drinking from the vein since.” He doesn’t sound angry, in fact, he almost sounds detached when he says it.
I search his eyes. I have so many questions, but I don’t know if I should ask. Who would do that to him? Is that common? Why? To what end? “So that’s why you don’t want my blood,” I surmise, even though I would never try to control him, nor would I have understood that something like that was possible to the degree he’s alluding to.
Griffin drags his free hand over the bottom half of his face. “I do. It’s damn near all I can think about.”
I furrow my brow, thoroughly confused. “But you just said—”
“I said Ididn’twant that, that was before you. Even before I tasted your blood, we were connected.”
I lean forward, place my elbows on my knees, and rest my forehead in my hands. I actually feel kind of stupid. I’ve been making so many assumptions.
“There’s no rush, Quinn,” Griffin assures me, misunderstanding my response or lack thereof.
“It’s not that. I’m just confused. Not long ago, you were offering to bite me so I wouldn’t be a distraction. Then you seemed almost disgusted that you even offered. It’s clear you drink from the bag. I’ve seen it in your fridge. You told me you gave me some of your blood and took some of mine to heal me, but you’ve never once brought it up again. From what you said, I also got the impression it was a rarity and wouldn’t happen again. And just now you made a big deal over a drop of blood. What am I supposed to think?” I turn my head so I can see him.
“That I’m an asshole who isn’t very good at explaining himself,” Griffin replies, cringing.
“Sometimes you make me question which way is up. Every time I think I know what’s going on, you throw me a curve ball. Why are you smiling right now?”
His hand smooths up and down my thigh. “Welcome to my world. I never know what the hell you’re going to say or do.”
I throw myself back against the sofa with a huff. “I’m pretty dang simple, Griffin.”
“Not to me.”
“Is it safe to come out now?” Evan calls from the hall after a few moments of silence pass between Griffin and me.
“I’m pretty sure it always was,” I mutter dryly.
“I don’t know. You do a pretty good angry scowl.” Evan emerges from the hall with a duffle bag hanging over his shoulder.
“Ha ha, very funny.”
“It’s funny you think I’m joking.” He grins.
I look him over, all six plus feet, lingering on his thick thighs and bulging bicep that’s curled up and holding the bag over his shoulder. “Evan Winters, I just don’t believe there is much that scares you, let alone me.”
“She’s adorably oblivious, don’t you think?” He looks at Griffin.
“I wouldn’t call her oblivious, but adorable, yes,” the vampire next to me agrees, proving he’s a least smart if not a little mercurial.
“Suck up.” Evan chuckles. “Are you guys ready or what?”
