Page 21 of Taken By The Vampire King

I wanted her touch, her surrender, her soft noises of desire. I wanted her body to clench around mine.

But I shook my head. I needed her virginity more.

Fucking humans.

I sent a wave of water over the side of the bath as I moved my arm so I could scrub my palms over my face. None of this was helping me relax. I dried off with angry strokes and strode to my bed, my hard cock bouncing against my abs. Needy fucker.

Images of Leia pounded through my head, and as I settled into bed, my hand drifted down my body. With a groan, I took hold of my cock, wrapping my fingers around the shaft, and for a moment, I waited, teasing myself by staying still. My cock pulsed in my hand, thickening as I imagined Leia’s touch in place of mine, her gaze on my body.

I jerked upward, pressing harder into my grip at the memory of her parted lips and the touch of her tongue against mine that first night, and I released a harsh exhale as heat raced through my body before coming to rest at the base of my cock.

A bead of precum slid from the tip, and I smeared it over my skin with the pad of my thumb, gritting my teeth to keep my soft hiss inside my throat when I wanted to bellow my need, when I wanted to run to Leia’s room and bury myself inside her to ease the desire that burned through me.

Even here, in my space, her scent clung to me, spiking my heartrate as my hand moved to the rhythm of each beat, pushing increasingly harsh breaths from me as I relieved my arousal with firm, efficient strokes. Control in all things.

Tonight wasn’t a time for teasing. I just needed Leia out of my system, and I chased her away with each movement even while I invited her closer with every fantasy of her body pressed to mine, her thighs parted in welcome.

I alone would take her virginity, claiming her wholly as mine, never to belong to anyone else.

Power at those thoughts surged through me and my balls tightened, drawing against me before my cock erupted, splattering hot stickiness over my hand and abs. I fought to control my breaths and closed my eyes against a sudden memory of Leia’s tongue. I could almost feel it moving over my skin, tasting me, and I groaned as my dick jerked again, fresh arousal already evident.

Maybe my virgin would be the death of me yet.

I slept badly, my skin still on fire, my dick uncomfortably hard all night. When I woke before the sun, I lay on my back, one arm flung over my eyes as I fought against the urge to relieve myself again.

Leia needed to come to me willingly. I couldn’t take her by force or cajole her, but perhaps I could welcome her, provide the finer things in life—the things she undoubtedly deserved but had never been given or taken for herself before.

Nothing would be too much or beyond my reach. More gowns like those I’d already provided, jewels to adorn her and shimmer against her skin. Food such as she’d never sampled before—although Chef had already begun the culinary assault, teasing her tastebuds with a wide array of dishes.

It was up to me to awaken her other hungers, make her realize all the opportunities that could be hers if she just chose to be mine. And that could start today. By the time dawn had brightened the sky, I’d made several calls to staff at the casino and even within the house, and everyone was standing by to carry out my instructions.

I lingered outside the open double doors to the east wing, ridiculous and unfamiliar uncertainty shredding my nerves. The first stirrings of the human female inside reached my ears, and my awareness of her sent my pulse rocketing again. But I clamped down on my fierce arousal. I could control myself.

I could control this seduction. I was seducing her. Not the other way around.

When she appeared from her rooms in a swirl of floral scent and bright-eyed readiness for a new day, she paused as she caught sight of me.

I skimmed my gaze over her, approval flaring inside me at her choice of clothing from the closet I’d stocked. The jeans fit her as I’d expected, and the T-shirt clung in all the right places. I glanced away, deliberately disinterested, even as I regulated my words and tone. “Is that what you’re planning to wear?”

Defiance flashed in her eyes as she tensed her jaw, the movement drawing my gaze to the pulse that beat in her neck, and I curled my hands into tight fists like that alone would prevent me walking to her and kissing my way from her ear to her collarbone.

“For just hanging around your library? I think so.” She started to walk past me, but I stopped her with my hand on her forearm, and we both inhaled sharply at the unexpected contact.

I hadn’t intended to touch her, and I drew way, clasping my hands behind my back as I spoke. “Chef has prepared a meal to break your fast, and then you’ll accompany me to La Petite Mort.”

She shivered briefly and cut her gaze quickly to me then away again. “I don’t think accompanying you there—” she spat the word “—was part of our deal.”

I grinned. Negotiations, using words and desires to pin people where I wanted them, was part of my business. This was a familiar area to me, and I loved it.

“Ahh, but Miss Boucher,” I said, the words sleek and soft as they left my mouth. “This is the very essence of my deal. I believe I told you I am in need of a companion to accompany me to some forthcoming events with my family and my business associates. You preferred the term arm candy.”

I allowed my lip to curl derisively for a moment, but her eyes widened, and I could see the exact moment she recalled our initial conversation.

But then Leia straightened her shoulders. “Well, if it’s only the casino, this outfit’s okay.”

I shrugged. As long as she didn’t parade there nude, I really had no preference to what she wore, and I was used to the dance of giving away small wins for inconsequential battles while I kept my sights on the outcome of the war.

“As you wish. Now, Chef will wonder where you are.” I turned and led her down the stairs, aware the whole way of her gaze, it’s heat laser-like as she aimed it at the back of my head.

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