Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (historical books to read .txt) 📕

“Dani, you’re always so wet for me,” he growled. “I want to fuck you over this table in front of everyone.”

Her face flushed, but she kept eye contact with him.

“Then fuck me.”

And I’m so screwed.

The challenge in her voice made him so hard, it hurt. He pulled away reluctantly, letting go of her before he stood.

“Come, I’m taking you home.”

Her brow furrowed, but she got up. She downed the rest of her drink and followed him from the bar. He didn’t move to touch her until they reached an alleyway. He grabbed her hand and tugged her down it.

“Hold onto me and don’t let go.”

“What? Why?”

“Trust me.”

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush with his chest. She clutched his back. The shadows folded around them. He felt the familiar rushing sound when he moved through them. Dani trembled, her eyes squeezed shut. It took him three jumps. They were on her balcony when he released her. She blinked, looking around before her eyes fell back on him.

“What was that?” she asked.

“How much do you know about my kind?”

“Only what my tutor taught me.”

“We all have varying abilities. One of mine is travelling through the shadows, although my range is limited in comparison to say, Gav’s. It’s rare.”

“Do you and he share it because you had the same maker?”

He nodded.

“Why did you bring me home? To my home, I mean.”

“We had an agreement and you said you should be back early tonight.”

She let out a long sigh. Turning away, her magic flared out of her hand, unlocking the balcony door. She walked in, he followed her to the door, but didn’t go in after her.

“I need to go,” he said.

“Even if I wish you’d stay.”

“Dani…”

“Not for that. I sleep better when I know you’re there.”

He reached for her arm, turning her around. Her eyes were full of turmoil. He cupped her cheek.

“You do?”

She turned her face into his palm.

“Yes. The nightmares don’t plague me.”

She hadn’t told him she had bad dreams, only that she had trouble sleeping.

“What nightmares?”

She shook her head a little.

“It’s too hard to speak of.”

The hollowness he felt in his chest because Dani suffered was almost unbearable. He pulled her towards him, wrapping her up in his arms. She nuzzled her face in his chest, curling her hands around his back. This thing between them was going to get them into trouble one day. He could feel it.

He kissed the top of her head. She shifted, turning her face up to him. She looked lost and afraid. And so beautiful. Yes, she’s cute and undeniably sexy, but she’s also beautiful to me. I never saw it before.

Cupping her face, he leant down, brushing his nose over hers.

“I don’t want you to suffer.”

In the cool, still night air, Dani was a furnace of heat. Her body moulded to his perfectly.

“I won’t. I’ll think of you and I’ll survive it.”

That made him smile. Dani relied on his friendship and he relied on hers. It was only ever meant to be like this. And not this desperate pull we have to each other. To give into our baser needs. To fuck each other like animals. Jamie didn’t have control when it came to her. None whatsoever.

“I’ll make it better for you.”

He kissed her, hungrily. She clung to him, her mouth hot and wet on his. He wanted to feel it around his cock, which was digging into her stomach. He was just about ready to abandon all pretence that he didn’t want to shove her up against the door and have his way with her. It was only when he registered the creaking sound on the stairs, he moved away from her so fast, she stumbled forward. She put a hand out, catching the door before she fell over.

“Jamie, what are—?”

The sound came again. She turned slowly. A man who looked very much like Dani opened the door to her bedroom and stared at the two of them.

“You must be her vampire friend,” he said.

“And you’re her brother,” Jamie replied.

“Novy, what are you doing up here?” Dani asked.

It was a small mercy he hadn’t stepped into Dani’s room. He was relatively sure Novus wouldn’t approve of her having given him an invitation to their home. Only the person who’d offered it could rescind it. And she won’t do that because she doesn’t want there to be a time where I can’t get to her when she’s in London.

“I wanted to speak to you.”

“Can it wait?”

“By all means, say goodbye, I’m not stopping you.”

Dani’s back went rigid with tension, but he couldn’t see her face.

“I’ll come down and find you.”

There was a moment of silence as a look passed between the siblings. Novus visibly relaxed and sighed.

“Fine.” His eyes found Jamie. “I expect you to take care of my sister when she’s with you. I know she’s a handful and never likes to do as she’s told, but I’ll hold you responsible if anything happens to her.”

Jamie simply nodded. Novus stared at him for a moment longer before disappearing back into the hallway and down the stairs.

“Honestly, does he have to be so over dramatic?” Dani muttered as she turned back to him, annoyance painting her expression.

“I imagine he’s overprotective because you’re his baby sister.”

“I’m not a child any longer.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“Oh, I’m perfectly aware of that.” His eyes roamed down the length of her. “All woman.”

She stepped out, her ice blue eyes heated and her face flushed from his perusal.

She’s still so aroused, I can smell it. And fuck am I done delaying the inevitable. I’m done pretending I have a semblance of restraint.

“We’ve been