Vampire's Companion by Jory Strong Read Free Book Online Page B

Sex and blood so thoroughly entwined that his canine teeth slid downward.
    Israel’s tongue scraped against them. Bled.
    Need turned into savage desire.
    He ended the kiss.
    Israel’s head tilted back on a moan.
    “Do it.” Harsh, husky entreaty.
    Terach struck. Fangs piercing, the penetration throwing Israel into orgasm.
    Jets of heated semen splashed on already sweat-slick skin. Blood poured over Terach’s tongue but the hunger increased rather than decreased.
    He thrust harder, Israel’s second release shattering his control so orgasm ripped through him in wrenching soul-deep claim.
    Terach collapsed, panting.
    Rolled onto his back and allowed himself to drift in contentment.
    “You’re the first in centuries.”
    “The first male lover you’ve had?”
    “Yes.”
    Israel rose onto an elbow, his hair brushing Terach’s chest and hardening a nipple. “Tell me about it?”
    Terach laughed. “Playing bartender?”
    “Or shrink.”
    They kissed.
    “Or maybe just feeding my ego,” Israel said.
    Hardly necessary. But the words got trapped in Terach’s throat. For every visible wound on a slave’s flesh there were a thousand bleeding internal cuts.
    He met Israel’s gaze, held it. “I would have fought to true death to keep you from Diarmid.”
    “Thanks for that.”
    Hours ago he could have denied this aspect of his sexuality, but not now, not ever again. Somehow they’d find a way to make this work.
    He mentally touched the companion bond. The distance between the club and Cia’s apartment was too far to pinpoint her exact location, but she was in the general vicinity of where she lived.
    He didn’t want to wait until tomorrow’s nightfall or give her time to shore up resistance and denial. Sitting, he said, “I’m going to shower.”
    “I’m going to just lie here for a few minutes.”
    Terach stood, gaze roaming Israel, possessiveness riding him, more primal than he’d ever experienced as a human.
    Israel’s cock twitched and his stirred with renewed interest. He laughed and leaned down, risked another kiss before getting in the shower, supremely satisfied.
    His smile lingered until hot water struck his skin and soap washed away the scent of Israel and sex, casting him back to those first days after Gian had made him vampire. With safety had come the intense need to bathe, as if plunging into icy streams or water heated by inn servants could cleanse him of the defilement he’d experienced as a slave. His sire had known, had lingered in the area and altered his own plans so his newest son could hunt and kill those who’d made sport of him, those who’d preyed upon him when he was viewed as less valuable than a horse. But the drain of blood hadn’t been enough. Only time had turned acute memories into duller ones, wrapping them into his psyche with centuries of distance.
    And now he owned a slave. Could he live with that?
    Even if they were equals in his heart, the stigma of it remained. He’d be shunned by some. It would cost him alliances and friendships, perhaps ultimately, his self-respect.
    He scrubbed his hands over his face. Turn Israel?
    And if he refused it?
    Offer to introduce him to Gian’s other sons? To Brann’s sons, in the hope one of them would make Israel their companion?
    The back of his throat burned. His heart thrummed.
    Contend with one uncertainty at a time.
    He reached along the companion bond. Chill engulfed him at finding it taut, thinning, stretched by distance and nearly beyond range of his being able to locate Cia.
    He jerked the shower door open, hurriedly drying himself as he returned to the bedroom. He tossed the towel onto the floor, snagged his jeans and pulled them on.
    Israel was instantly on his feet. “What’s wrong?”
    “Cia. She’s leaving the area.”
    Terach grabbed a shirt. Shoved his feet into shoes then bolted from the room.
    He entered the main area of the club, pushed through the crowded humans, intent on the exit.
    Stop.
    Gian, I need