CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I awoke to the feeling of a light caress on my brow. I scrunched my nose at the tickling sensation, hearing a deep and sensual chuckle in response. My eyes fluttered open slowly, trying to adjust to the bright light.

"Good morning, beautiful." Rory's hand moved to trace up and down my arm as I lay facing him.

"Good morning," I responded with a smile, stretching my aching limbs. I didn't realize that having sex three times in one day could make someone that sore.

"Would you like some blood?" Rory asked, concerned.

"I took quite a bit yesterday. I think you need a break." I responded, this time allowing my hand to trace along his soft and masculine jaw. His face felt so warm and smooth, where Bastion's was rough and firm.

Bastion! I jumped, turning to my left. He was gone.

"He said that he wanted to go running, so I sent him to our private gym. He will meet us at breakfast."

How did I sleep through all of this?

"Oh." I winced, a subtle pain between my legs triggering as I adjusted beneath the covers.

"Why don't you try some human blood? It may not heal as well as mine, but it will give you back your strength." His hand slid under the covers, drawing circles on my stomach beneath Bastion's shirt.

"I don't really want to bite a human," I confessed.

He laughed. "No, love. I have bags for that. I don't care for biting them either. It seems cruel to deliver an aphrodisiac and not have sex with them."

My eyes widened. "You mean, most vampires—"

"Fuck their meals? Yes. This is Vegas, love. There is no shortage of people who want one-night stands."

Woah. That is some twisted stuff. It did make me admire Rory's abstinence even more, though. Sex seemed to be a huge part of their culture, but he saved himself for me. I snaked my arms around his neck, and he pulled me up to straddle him with his head on his pillow. "I love you."

His eyes twinkled at my affection. "I love you, Aria." He leaned forward to give me a chaste kiss on the lips. "Come, I'll get you blood." He stood, carrying me the entire way to the quartz countertop with ease, thankfully not using his super speed. I didn't want to throw up.

Once seated, he moved to the stainless steel refrigerator and took out a glass decanter full of deep red blood. Then, he retrieved a wine glass from the cupboard and set it before me, filling it halfway.

"Bon Appetit."

I eyed the glass with restraint. It didn't smell special. Was it classy blood? Where did he get it? I picked up the glass and swirled it, watching as the viscous liquid left trails of red along the rim.

"Here goes nothing. Down the hatch," I mumbled before lifting it to my lips.

Blegh. It wasn't gross or anything, but it wasn't good either. I knew I was only spoiled by my mate and royal, but they were Michelin 5-star chefs' blood and this was week-old McDonald's blood.

Rory laughed at my unimpressed expression, leaning over the counter. "Not up to par?"

"I've had better," I replied, pushing the empty glass back to him. I could already feel the strength returning to my body, just as he said it would.

"I've been wondering. What does my blood taste like to you?" He asked, crossing to the sink to rinse out the flute.

I thought for a moment. "It tastes like... the best hickory-smoked bacon money could buy. But even better than that! If that makes sense..."

He scrunched his nose. "Really? It tastes like greasy pig meat?"

"Hey, don't insult bacon, Rory. That's serious treachery in my kingdom," I joked, glaring at him.

He laughed. "I suppose as long as you like it..."

"Like it? I love it. It's delicious!"

He cocked his head, his blonde waves brushing his bare shoulder. "Do you like it more than Bastion's?"

I considered his question honestly. "No. But I don't like his more, either. They taste completely different. His tastes almost like apple cobbler. So, in a way, his is dessert while yours is the main course. They do different things to my taste buds."

He seemed to accept my answer.

"How about mine?" I asked, suddenly extremely curious.

"You taste like warm peaches, love. It's utterly delightful."

Peaches? "Weird. I didn't expect to taste so sweet."

He rounded the counter, standing between my slightly spread thighs and wrapping his long arms around my shoulders. His blue eyes locked mine into place. "I'm not surprised at all. You are sweet, through and through." His lips brushed my forehead, making me shiver. "Fuck, don't do that. Breakfast is in ten, and we will miss it if you keep that up."

He smiled against my hair, tracing my spine with his fingers. I blushed at his words.

"Last night... was it... enjoyable for you?" I couldn't for the life of me comprehend why he wanted to watch another man dominate me in the first place. Sure, he was satisfied in the end, but that was because Bastion thought it would be a good idea to include him. My tongue tingled remembering the delicious taste of his cock in my mouth.

"Quite. I wanted to see how we were different as lovers."

"And?"

"And, I found that he is much rougher than I am. He seems to value orgasms purely by penetration where I take a more intimate approach. It was an incredibly arousing display. Raw and violent. Passionate. He wants to overpower you in every way."

Everything he said was spot on. They were totally different lovers, totally different people. I moaned when I felt Rory's lips on my neck.

"Rory..."

"Talking about it is getting me hot, love. I want to devour your pussy again. I miss you screaming my name."

Holy shit. Who taught those two how to talk dirty? They said just the right things to get my motor running. I blinked away my red eyes.

"I want you, too, but we have to get ready for breakfast. Next time I'll make love with you instead." I bargained, because I really did miss Rory between my legs.

"Why not both of us?"

Did he just suggest...?

"At... the same time?" I whispered, as if I were afraid someone might hear us.

He hummed against my artery. "Mhm. You have two holes, love."

I squeaked, pulling back from him on reflex. He looked amused by my apprehension.

"You really are kinky," I accused, straightening my back to appear less flustered.

He grinned darkly back at me. "Yes, Aria. If we have to share you, we might as well do it properly. I promise, it would be pleasurable for you. I would make sure that you loved every. Single. Second." His breath fanned down my chest as his teeth grazed over the t-shirt deliciously.

How could I say no to him? What he was suggesting was so unbelievably awkward and in no way normal, but he made a point. Besides, we basically had a threesome last night, and that was enjoyable. But in my rear? Wouldn't that hurt? Or would Rory be able to pull the same trick he did during our first time?

His hands slid under Bastion's shirt, loosely gripping and massaging my ass, all while his mouth was teasing my nipple through the fabric.

"Oh hell, Rory..." I groaned, holding onto his head and pushing it harder into my chest. He latched onto my nipple, making me cry out. Then, as suddenly as he came on, he retreated. I growled at his new loss of contact as he released me, stepping back and converting his eyes to normal.

"How the hell are you able to just stop?" I asked, annoyed.

He smirked back at me, making me forgive his transgressions. "I've mastered sexual control, love. We really must get going. Trust me, I'll happily continue this later."

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile. He gave my ass a tap as I walked past him to head to the bathroom.

"Think about it, Aria."

"I will."