Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

say, burn the book."
    Luke shook his head. "I'm a scribe. Maybe I'll put it in a safe deposit box but I was raised to protect this information, pass it on. Not to destroy it. Knowledge doesn't kill, people do."
    "But you end up dead either way."
    "True, but I have a responsibility. Sometimes people come to me, mostly witches, looking for answers. Betty kept records for fifty years, her grandmother another fifty before that and so on a dozen generations back. She had no children so she passed the duty of her family onto me. I've been studying these books and scrolls for ages. This is who I am, you cannot ask me to change."
    "The people who killed Betty could kill you."
    Aroused by Charlie's passion and fire, Luke challenged, "You won't let them kill me."
    Charlie glared up at him and Luke couldn't help but be reminded of a tenacious terrier taking on a bear. He forced himself not to grin.
    Lips pursed tight, Charlie let out a frustrated growl and whirled away.
    Luke watched him pace again, his slight body vibrating with frustration. "I understand your concern, but as a scribe I must remain neutral."
    "You stopped being neutral the moment you took me in."
    "You have no colony, no affiliation. You're as much on the outside as me. We need each other."
    The nightwalker stopped to face him, his eyes challenging, stubborn. "I don't need anybody."
    "Aye, ya do. We can help each other. I need help protecting the grimoire and you need a colony, like the humans need their family, the shifters need their pack and the witches need their covens. You cannot thrive alone."
    "And you mean to be my colony?" His voice had lowered to a sexy octave that made Luke so hard, so horny. He didn't know if he could finish his point before he threw himself at the man, begging to be fucked and bitten.
    Staring at the smaller creature, power radiated from him but Luke knew it posed no threat to him. He needed Charlie to acknowledge Fate had brought them together for a reason. "We could benefit greatly from each other. I am large and healthy. I could give you blood and you could help me keep the grimoire safe."
    Charlie looked gob-smacked. "You're talking about a sire bond. W-why would I d-do that?"
    Luke moved closer, feeling brave and determined to make his nightwalker see the light. "I've studied sire bonds for many years and I know that it's already begun between us. I can feel you in my veins, as you feel me. You took in my blood when you licked that scratch. The only thing holding us back is your denial. You want me. I want you. Why fight what destiny has brought together?"
    "I don't believe in destiny," Charlie scoffed. "I make my own decisions."
    Luke took his turn at sarcasm. "Then why did you stay and help me? Why didn't you leave?"
    "Because I'm a nice guy, that's why," he snapped.
    A hot, impatient craving consumed him and he closed the gap between them. Charlie sucked in a breath. He'd had enough of this back and forth. The man's nipples were hard on his chest and Luke could see the outline of his hard cock through those jeans. The damn fool was just being stubborn. Luke wanted to kiss him hard to make him see reason. Make him see they were destined to be together, but he knew Charlie had to be the one to make the move this time.
    "Oh, it's more than that, and you know it," Luke told him. "But the truth scares you."
    Charlie scoffed again, but didn't back away. His Adam's apple bobbed on his neck. "I am a nightwalker. I am scared of nothing."
    "You're scared of how much you trust me. How much you want me. What it might mean. You feel drawn to me as strongly as I feel drawn to you." Luke reached out ran a hand across Charlie's bare chest. He shivered and Luke recalled the way he had rubbed his nipples back and forth against his chest. Flicking one with his thumb, he grinned when Charlie shivered. "Why are you fighting it?"
    His eyes darted around and his voice went hoarse. "I-I don't know."
    "Then let go, baby, follow your instincts."
     
    CHAPTER 4
    Fuck, Charlie wanted to let go.
    Give in to the craving devouring him. The need to touch, and feed, and make love to Luke.
    He could still taste the decadent sweetness of his blood, feel it working through his body, energizing him. He'd had no choice but to clean the poison from the wound, though he knew the act would bond them temporarily. But he hadn't expected Luke to remember. The mind wipe should have worked. It always worked.
    Who knew the dude would be a scribe with a protection