Had he ruined her for other blood?

“Suck it,” he commanded her.

When she drew his thumb into her mouth, his lids went heavy. “So damned beautiful. I don’t know how this is possible, female. But the plans I have for you . . . I’m going to eat you alive.”

Earlier, she’d considered him somewhat attractive. Now that she knew what he tasted like, his craggy features took on a whole new aspect. Not to mention that he was supernaturally strong and fast.

Like me.

Plus, he was digging her hard. She admitted to herself she was digging him back. Understandable, since his big dick was still in her panties and he was gazing down at her with an enthralled look.

After the wedding night she’d spent with the romantic groom, she’d had no interest in casual hookups. Now she felt changed again.

She couldn’t live without the connection she’d just experienced with Rune. There was no going back for her.

“Did you pick my pocket to lure me here? So you could feed?”

She released his thumb. “No, I hadn’t planned this. I just wanted something of yours.”

“Why?”

“I guess to know you.” She’d known him in unforeseen ways. Her gaze flitted from his eyes to her bite mark.

His hand rubbed along her outer thigh. She shivered when his fingers traced the back of her thong. “You took my forbidden blood, and you drank it down. Instead of dying in pain, you’re blooming. Did you use some kind of spell?”

She’d known his blood was poisonous but not lethal. At least to others. Just as she’d suspected—rules didn’t apply to Jo. “Don’t know any spells. I survived probably because I’m wicked strong and all.”

“That you are.” He tilted his head, and a black lock tumbled forward.

She wanted to fist his hair and kiss him till their lips hurt. “Nobody’s ever bitten you before?”

“No other vampire would dare.”

Other vampire. More existed. I’m one of them.

How had she become one? Did all ghosts become vampires? She was parting her lips to question him when he said, “I still can’t believe this happened, and little should surprise an immortal my age.”

Immortal? “How old are you?”

“Seven millennia.”

Holy shit! Would she live to be that old? Her mind couldn’t wrap around that number.

“You must be old as well to be this strong.” Nope. “Strange you don’t have a vampire’s scent.”

“What do you think vampires smell like?”

“Aggression and blood.” He leaned his forehead to hers. “Were you very hungry, or did you enjoy my taste?” His tone was gruff, almost vulnerable. “How do I . . . how does my blood compare to others?”

“It’s amazing.”

The corners of his lips curled into that cocky, slanted grin. “What we just did is wicked. Loreans would consider it a taboo.”

Loreans? “Okay. Whatever.”

“Whatever,” he repeated in a rasp. “You not only don’t give a shit, you’re looking at my neck like you want seconds.”

“And thirds and fourths.”

His brows drew together suspiciously. “Have you drunk another of my kind?”

“No, never.”

“Then why did you do it? I warned you I was poisonous.”

She shrugged. “You smelled . . . right.”

“Right?” He said the word as though he were testing it, trying it on. “If you prick me with those fangs again, I’ll penetrate you with this.” He thrust, rubbing his dick over her mound. “Just so we understand each other.”

“Ah! S-seems fair.” She wasn’t the only one who likened her bite to sex.

His sigh-worthy grin deepened. “Tell me your name.”

In a breathless tone, she said, “Josephine.” She’d just given him her name? Her real name.

“The pleasure’s mine, Josephine.” He ripped her panties clean off her body. Then he pocketed them.

Something to remember her by? Because he was going to nail and bail her? As with those other females, he still hadn’t taken off his bow. Ooh, wouldn’t he still have nymph funk on him? And she didn’t have protection. Not that she could get pregnant—no periods—but still . . .

“Now it’s your turn to come,” he informed her. “I’m going to demonstrate that I’ve got more than hints of game. In fact, I believe I promised you I’d make you see stars.”

“I like stars,” she murmured.

He leaned in. To kiss her? “My bag of tricks just got far more extensive. I’m eager to explore this with you.”

Explore. That sounded less nail-and-bail-y. Maybe give him a shot. She eased closer to meet him—

Giggling sounded from the courtyard gate. Rune drew back.

Two women in skimpy party dresses whistled at them. A blonde and a redhead. Like the four she’d seen earlier, this pair appeared too flawless to be human.

“Ah, water nymphs,” he said.

“We heard you across town, Rune!” the blonde said. “It sounded like you lost your ever-loving mind.”

His wide jaw clenched. Well, he didn’t like that comment at all. In a nonchalant tone, he said, “When it’s good, it’s good.”

Good? Dick, please. Her ears were still ringing from his yells.

The redhead added, “If you’re in such a desirous mood, we can tag out with her.”