Taking my chin in his hand, he raised my head. The feel of his fingers stroking my jaw was electric, and, thirsting for his touch, I leaned into his palm. I’m ashamed to say it took a moment before my eyes met his, because I was too busy reacquainting myself with his torso. But when I did look up, it was a glorious moment.

Framed by thick dark lashes, his eyes had changed. The familiar hypnotic blue was now shot through with a gold iridescence, and they stared back with an intensity that scared me. Gabriel was the absolute carnal experience, a thousand and one encounters that I could not name, but wanted to experience in the worst possible way. Whether he was vampire or human, I couldn’t shut off my feelings for him. I wasn’t a faucet, for God’s sake!

“A bond already exists between us,” Gabriel said, his voice raw with emotion. “It was created a long time ago, and is one that cannot be broken by either human or vampire law. I gave myself to you then, completely and without hesitation, and I do so again.”

As he stroked my cheek, I felt a faint tremble in his fingers. Words filled my head, words he had spoken to me the last time I’d been in his arms.
 
I am a Vampire’s Promise, given by word, accepted by deed, and bound by ritual to keep safe that which has been surrendered.

“Yes,” he murmured, “indeed you are.”

“But I don’t understand what it means.”

“And I cannot tell you.” A flash of pain flared in his eyes. “The memory must return of its own accord or it will carry no weight.”

I punched the pillow in frustration. “Shit! Why can’t I remember any of it?”
“You will,” Gabriel promised. “Now that you truly know who I am, it will come back to you.” I searched his face, wishing I could be as certain. “Perhaps,” he said with a smile, “you just need the right incentive.”
Leaning down, he kissed me.

His tongue was a magnificent distraction inside my mouth. Teasing and tasting, it filled me with a sensual longing as he took all I had to give. Slowly pulling back, I felt Gabriel draw my lower lip into his mouth scraping the swollen inner skin with his teeth. It wasn’t until I felt a sharp prick that I realized he’d dropped his fangs. Blood welled up, and I gasped as Gabriel’s tongue swept over the puncture as he lapped up my blood. He made a noise deep in the back of his throat, a sound that was definitely more purr than growl, and it sent a wave of unimaginable pleasure rippling through me.