Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Pushing to his feet, he smiled at the men who were his brothers. “I’m ready now.”
“Thank God, because I’m starved,” Rafe said, stepping forward. But even as Ethan watched the fangs extend, Rafe winked at him in playful reassurance.
Rafe’s arms weren’t as big as Marcus’s but felt as strong. Being held by another man felt so wrong. Ethan tried to make himself relax, but his brain just kept screaming that it wasn’t Marcus. Fingers slid along the hand down at his side and Ethan unclenched a little as he took Marcus’s hand.
“Just relax,” Marcus murmured. “I’m right here. I’m going to be right here the entire time.”
Before Ethan could reply, Rafe’s fangs sank deep and Ethan couldn’t completely hold back his cry of pain. He clenched Marcus’s hand, and he could hear his love snap at his brother. Ethan immediately eased his grip, trying to shield Marcus from the pain. He didn’t want to give Marcus reason to worry about him. There was enough on his mind already.
After several seconds, the pain subsided to a dull throb in his neck. Ethan closed his eyes and tried to recall every time he heard Marcus play the piano. He concentrated on the way his fingers flew across the keys and the amazing music that drifted up from the instrument.
Ethan didn’t know how much time passed before he felt his body being handed off to someone else. Probably Bel. He felt about as tall as Rafe. Ethan didn’t bother to open his eyes. He just smiled and kept thinking about Marcus’s music. The memory was strong enough that he swore he could hear it.
He was sure no time passed before he was handed off again. This one was definitely Winter. He and Winter were the same height, though Winter was stockier in build. Ethan was struggling to stand on his own. The room felt like it was spinning, and he was just so tired.
That thought had barely formed in his head when he was moved again. But this time, he knew these arms. They were home. Marcus.
“Open your eyes for me, Ethan,” Marcus said calmly.
It was a struggle, but Ethan finally managed to look up at Marcus. He was surprised to find that Marcus was seated on the couch and Ethan was lying across his lap.
“Tell me if you still want this.”
“Yes, please,” Ethan said, wondering why his voice sounded so slurred.
“Yes, my heart,” Marcus murmured against Ethan’s neck. Ethan let himself sink into that touch, the familiar smell of Marcus, his encompassing warmth. He could no longer remember why he’d been so worried before. Marcus was holding him and he felt so safe, so protected. And all he wanted to do was sleep.
Ethan was sure that thought had barely formed in his head when someone was shaking him awake, but he couldn’t open his eyes. Something wet and sticky was being pressed against his mouth. He tried to turn his head away, but it was too heavy, and he was too tired. He just wanted to go back to sleep.
“Ethan, you need to drink.” Marcus’s harsh voice finally penetrated the fog. He sounded angry, or maybe he was worried. Ethan wasn’t sure. He couldn’t open his eyes.
“Ethan, you promised me you would drink. You must drink,” Marcus said again, his voice growing more desperate.
There were other voices. They sounded farther away, and he couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but he did hear drink over and over again.
Fine. He could drink a few sips. Then maybe they’d let him sleep again.
He swallowed the liquid that had already begun to coat his tongue and fill his mouth. He winced at the thickness and coppery taste. His brain kept shouting that it was wrong, but Marcus sounded so happy he’d taken that first swallow. He wanted Marcus happy. He wanted the fear and panic gone from his voice, so he swallowed again. The other voices disappeared, but Marcus continued to talk to him. His deep voice was coaxing, reassuring. He sounded so proud of Ethan.
“I think that’s enough, Marcus.” That voice was clearer. Possibly Bel.
“He can have it all if that’s what he wants,” Marcus growled. His arm tightened around Ethan, and he just wanted to snuggle into Marcus’s warmth.
“Yes, but he doesn’t need you weak. You’ve already given him more than was given to Winter.”
“And look at how Winter turned out,” Rafe teased.
“You need to stop so he can wake up,” Winter said, seeming to ignore his brother’s comment.
Whatever had been pressed against Ethan’s mouth disappeared and Ethan felt his body relax again. Sleep beckoned. Maybe they were done with him now and he could sleep. Yes, that sounded wonderful. Asleep in Marcus’s arms.
“Ethan?” Marcus’s voice had returned, but it sounded farther away than before. “Open your eyes.”
“I don’t understand,” Bel murmured. “He should be awake.”