Zombie Romance

Chapter 6

The stranger’s lips brushed over Lexi’s throat. Some tiny bit of sanity told her this wasn’t right. But as quickly as the thought flickered to life, she knocked it aside. Her hands moved to the man’s chest, touching material so smooth and fine it could have been silk, except it wasn’t, she knew that. She recognized the expensive cloth beneath her fingers, having felt it only moments earlier when she had grappled with the man who had attacked Mitchell.
Reality smashed into her like a bucket of snow to the face. But before she could react, or even tense, the feel of lips hovering over her throat was gone, replaced by a pain that jerked her breath from her chest.
Then just as quickly the pain was gone, too. Her mind swirled and her body ached. She shifted in the man’s arms, knowing somehow he was providing the intense feeling of pleasure that surrounded her—knowing, too, through him there was much more to be had.
A moan left her lips and her hands rose. She wanted to touch the man, pull him even closer. Her fingers wove through his hair. Her body arched.
He murmured something and she murmured in return, nonsense words, noises of pleasure and desire.
She hadn’t felt this way, forgotten herself this way for years. Her job and constant struggles to save Tony from himself didn’t allow time for anything personal.
Tony. Her eyes closed and tears pressed against her eyelids. Disassociated as she was, distant as the world seemed right now, his situation felt more desperate, hopeless.
The moan she’d been about to release changed to a sob.
***
Bryce felt her tears on his cheek, inhaled their salty scent.
Lost as he was in the pleasure of feeding on her, the unexpected emotion cut through the fog that surrounded him.
His mouth still pressed against her throat, the truth hit him. He had forgotten his hunt, given in to the most base of vampire desires, fed when he should have been caught in the chase.
He pulled his fangs from her throat, but couldn’t bring himself to let her go.
“Who are you?” he whispered, his lips still pressed against her skin.
***
Lexi’s feet hit the ground slowly, the man loosening his hold, releasing her while still keeping her close. It was the perfect time to jump backwards, proclaim her shock and anger at being taken advantage of and touched when she was at her weakest. But outrage would have been a lie. And Lexi didn’t have it in her.
“Lexi,” she replied. She searched his face, wishing she could see him better in the dark. She needed to see him, to understand how someone she didn’t know could strip away the barriers she’d built around herself so completely.
She could feel his stare, thought for a moment he wouldn’t say any more.
“Bryce.” His voice was rough, gave her the feeling his offering was made grudgingly. But still knowing his name was better, reassured her he was real and not some panic-induced dream.
“Thank you,” she murmured. He’d saved her from her fall; he deserved her thanks.
The other, how she had reacted to him…she dropped her gaze to the ground. She wouldn’t think about that.