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I hadn’t expected to be kidnapped today or I’d have worn something more conservative.
he must have followed me and stayed hidden until he thought he had the best chance to rescue me. Problem was, this wasn’t it.
“Those tears were yours, not mine. Whoever she was, you were really broken up over her death.”
He was capable of murder, but the memory I’d pulled after touching him made me hope there was more to Vlad than his tendency to torch people.
greased lightning.
Wow, he took his little fantasy seriously. And he just heard you say that, I reminded myself
Yeah, I’d much rather have him read my mind than experience his fiery abilities personally.
“Sometimes it’s helped. I know who to avoid. People can perfect whatever façade they want, but everyone holds their sins close to their skin.”
the dark stains on his shirt that smelled like one of Marty’s foul-tasting shakes.
I’m thrown together with an attractive man I can’t kill, and you feel special because I responded like any normal, healthy woman would?”
“Give me a break. Another reasonably good-looking dead guy would rev my engine, too, so don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back.”
I don’t run away from challenges,”
“Find someone else to toy with. We both know I lack experience, so I don’t know how to play the game without getting hurt. Besides, I hate games. I prefer knowing straight up what’s real and what’s bullcrap.”
something lurking in his gaze that tempted me despite knowing better.
“It’s your directness and refusal to lie to yourself that I find most appealing. And I’m not toyi...
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at points in my life, I’ve lost everything. This house, my other homes, the cars, planes . . . they’re my possessions, but anyone could own them.
My body is the only thing that’s truly mine, so I don’t give it away as though it’s worthless.”
“Oh, Leila. Now you’re just making yourself irresistible to me, aren’t you?” I drained the rest of my wine, wishing he’d stick to being either terrifying or charming. Being both wreaked havoc on my equilibrium.
“You keep your live-in blood donors in the basement?” “It’s a very nice basement. Much better than the dungeons. Those tend to be quite cold in winter.”
He might indeed think nothing of housing his blood donors next to his root cellars, or he might find it hilarious to let me believe that.
None of us see him unless he’s hungry. Then it’s bend, get bitten, and beat it.” Now my brows went up, too. “Bend?” Did he mean—?
“Don’t. I’m all sweaty and bloody,” I protested. “Heavens, not sweat and blood,”
“Everyone holds their sins close to their skin.”
“Vlad owns the town and we’re his special plasma kabobs.
I was getting drunk. Rip-roaring, stinking, worshipping-at-the-porcelain-altar drunk.
“Yeah, I’m Frankie,” I breathed. “Nice to meet you.” And then I vaulted over the balcony rail.
“Leila, where are you?” I didn’t answer out loud because I was coughing too much. In the coatroom at the club. “Get out,” he said tightly. “You must know it’s on fire.” Do you think that escaped my notice? I asked in disbelief. My legs are broken and part of the wall is pinning me.
Do you think that escaped my notice? I asked in disbelief. My legs are broken and part of the wall is pinning me.
“Leila,” Vlad said sharply. “Do not pass out.” So arrogant, I thought. As if you can order someone to stay conscious.
“You made it,” I said weakly. His smile was brief—and fierce. “I told you I would.”
“I’m drunk,” I said testily. “I’ll try anything if I’m drunk.”
“This is our true tie,” he whispered, his breath falling hotly onto my lips. “You’re meant for me, and I will have you.” Then his mouth lowered in a hard, claiming kiss. A groan parted my lips and his tongue snaked between them to stroke mine with sensual dominance. He tasted like sin made into wine: dark, heady, and impossible to resist.
I blew out a frustrated sigh. Rest, riiiight. As if anyone could rest after that.
“On second thought, I’m starving.”
“Beautiful and diabolical. You make me impatient indeed to claim you.”
Leila, are you finished eating?” Did he think I’d want dessert before attempting to find who murdered Hunter and tried to kidnap me again?
I can give you honesty, monogamy, and more passion than you can stand, but not love. That emotion died in me long ago, as I suspect you already know.”
“Now we know what truly drains your power. This will make traveling with you much easier. No need to pack lightning rods.” “You really are the most arrogant man I’ve ever met,”
“Don’t. This blood you can only shed once, and you gifted it to me. That makes it worth more than these sheets, this bed, and most anything else in my house.”
my people will now treat you with the utmost respect. I told you; I don’t take many lovers. You’re also the only one I’ve shared my bed with, and the first to sleep in the room adjoining mine.”
“Sometimes families bring no peace.
Family is always irreplaceable, even when they’re also irreconcilable.”
“If you don’t believe you can do it, then you won’t do it.
“If I felt nothing more for you than lust, Maximus would be on that pole for a week, and you, my lovely interloper, would not be here with me now.”
“Some things just are, Leila. You survived. She didn’t. Wondering why is as irrelevant as it is futile.”
I stood straighter and began to tap my foot. He glanced down. “Is that supposed to intimidate me?” he asked, his voice edged with satin-covered steel. “It’s supposed to show that I’m serious,
For so many years, I’d been an expert at keeping my temper at bay. Less than two weeks after meeting Vlad, and I felt as volatile as the currents running through my body.
“I love seeing my marks in your flesh.” If he’d looked smug while saying it, I would have been piqued, but his expression showed unadulterated possessiveness instead. Must be a vampire thing. A grin bared his teeth. “It’s very much a vampire thing.”
I stroked my jaw as I considered my choices. I couldn’t meet her family wearing just anything. She deserved better than that.
Perhaps the gloves would also help to soothe her ire. Their completion came not a moment too soon.
