This would be different from all other bites. She knew it even before he drove back into her and lowered his neck to her lips.

“Take me,” he demanded.

The vein in his neck pulsed invitingly, the blood beneath his skin rushing through it, whispering encouragements to her. Take me, take me, it repeated over and over again.

When she scraped her fangs against his neck, she felt him shudder. It sent a bolt of electricity into her sex. Then her sharp teeth pierced his skin and the scent of blood intensified. The moment the first drop of it reached her tongue, tremors shook her entire body. Her clit was on fire, and her sex clenched. Then it hit her: like a massive ocean wave she was swept up and crested, pleasure flooding her body without end.

His blood tasted like heaven on earth.

Quinn drove his fangs into Rose’s shoulder, pulling on her vein. She was trembling, her tight channel convulsing around his cock so violently that he couldn’t hold onto his control. Without a thought, he let go and gave himself over to the sensations that rolled over his body.

His orgasm took him and whipped him like a flag in a gale. He didn’t fight it, instead he let himself fall, knowing Rose was there to catch him just as he would catch her. A sense of weightlessness befell him, of floating on a cloud. It was better than on his wedding night. This time he wouldn’t have to leave the next day; this time no uncertain future was waiting. This time he would not leave her behind. If they fought any more battles, they would fight them together.

But most of all, they would lead a life of love together, just like they had promised each other that night in London.

When Rose’s spasms stilled and his own subsided, he withdrew his fangs and felt her retract hers. Then he rolled to the side, cradling her in his arms, planting soft kisses on her eyes and cheeks.

When a sob unexpectedly tore from her chest, panic struck him.

“Did I hurt you? Did you not like my blood?”

If she didn’t, he would be devastated.

Rose shook her head, fighting tears. “No. I did. I loved your blood. I want more of it.”

His heart rejoiced at the same time as his mind continued to wonder why she appeared sad. “Then what is it, my love?”

She looked at him. “I wasted so much time. I deprived us of this for two hundred years.”

“Shh, my love.” He wiped a tear away with his thumb. “Don’t think of it anymore. Think only of the future. Our future. We have eternity now.”

He kissed her tenderly and she responded by pressing him closer. When she severed the kiss, a smile sat on her lips. She opened her mind to him, and for the first time he could hear her thoughts.

Eternity. Just you and me—

A knock sounded at the door. “Uh, Quinn, Rose?”

“. . . and apparently Blake,” Quinn added dryly before raising his voice to respond. “Not now, Blake.”

“It’s just,” Blake continued, “there’s something . . .”

Quinn rolled his eyes and caught Rose’s suppressed grin. “Your grandson has bad timing,” he whispered to her.

“He’s yours too.”

He stole a quick kiss, then turned his head toward the door again. “Why don’t you hang out with Oliver?”

“Like I wanna be bitten again! And besides, that’s what I wanted to tell you: he isn’t here. I think he’s still at the brothel.”

“Oh crap!” Quinn exclaimed and reared up.

Rose pulled him back down to her.

“Blake,” she called out. “Don’t worry about it, Vera will make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble. Why don’t you go and help Wesley pack?”

A grumble came from outside the door, then the sound of footsteps.

“Did you just use mind control on him?”

She shrugged. “Is that a problem?”

He grinned and shook his head. “No problem at all. Saves me from doing it. But Oliver? Are you sure Vera will take care of him for the day? There are an awful lot of humans in that house.”

“Trust me on that.”

“I do.” Quinn sighed contently. “So now that you have me all to yourself, what are your wicked plans?”

She winked at him. “Now that would be telling. I’d rather show you.”

THE END