Page 56 of Henrikk’s Secret

“Come on,” Asher half-sang, sitting back so he leant on his palms, a move that made his forearms tense beautifully. “I promise I won’t bite.”

Henrikk felt molten desire coil within him at the thought of Asher’s fangs piercing his neck. They hadn’t fed in forever. Only on small animals that they found on the island, but that was hardly enough to keep their strength at an acceptable level. It meant they were constantly hungry, and for Henrikk’s part at least, he’d been craving other things these past few days.

But that was not what he wanted to tell Asher.

It was a deeper truth that played out in his mind. He wanted to tell Asher the greatest secret of all, even though he’d admitted it once before.

That he loved Asher with all of his heart.

He’d never gotten to express it properly, and the time Asher was poisoned wasn’t nearly good enough.

The only question was, did Asher want him to say it? Because the friendship they’d struck up on the island was everything. Henrikk cherished it, fearing that it might be a fragile thing, and too afraid to test it in case it was.

Trying to be casual about it, he shuffled closer to Asher and leant close to whisper in his ear. “I love you.”

Asher stopped breathing.

“And I’d love other things…” Henrikk continued. He nuzzled Asher’s throat, feeling pleased when he shivered in response.

“What things?” Asher breathed.

“Bad things.”

“Like what?”

Henrikk licked his lips. Did he dare? “Look at me,” he whispered.

When Asher turned his head, Henrikk slowly leant in and kissed him.

Their lips met, a light press that became a firm one, deliberate and still, Asher’s lips velvety soft against his. Henrikk felt fire and chills all at once, pleasant shivers cascading through him.

Asher’s hand slipped into his hair, the brush of his fingertips igniting a flurry of hot sparks. As the kiss deepened, Asher coaxed his mouth open with steady, exploratory movements.

Henrikk lost himself in the tantalising rhythm, somehow finding himself seated on Asher’s lap with his hands around his neck.

Suddenly, Asher’s tongue delved inside his mouth, and the sensual intrusion shot through Henrikk like a bolt of lightning.

“You all right?” Asher asked as Henrikk drew back, panting.

“More,” he demanded, and Asher gave him one of those roguish smiles that was to die for. “Much more.”

Asher drew him close, brushing his lips with a suggestive kiss. “You shall have it.”

Asher went in for a kiss, but Henrikk ducked lower, planting open-mouthed kisses along the side of his neck. He trailed his fangs against the sensitive skin there, promising something else later.

Asher sighed softly, his head tilting back. “That feels so good.”

Henrikk did not stop at Asher’s neck. He moved lower, tracing his hands over the vampire’s broad chest.

Henrikk knelt between Asher’s legs, his lips trailing down his abdomen, fingers beginning to unlace his trousers.

Asher tensed, his abdominal muscles contracting beautifully. “What are you doing?”

Henrikk glanced up and met his gaze. “Do you want me to stop?”

Slowly, Asher shook his head, his nervous swallow sending a thrill through Henrikk. This was something that they both wanted, but it was new territory. The act of making himself subservient by kneeling before Asher for the sole purpose of bringing him pleasure had been unthinkable once. The dragon had not allowed any form of submission, or showing any trace of vulnerability. Only acts steeped in trickery and tyranny were permitted.

There were no such restrictions on Henrikk’s thoughts anymore, and enough time had passed that he could separate his own wants from what Dargotika’s had been.