Page 31 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Four

“Goddammit! Don’t do that.”

He laughs even though he looks like he’s about to pass out on his feet. There are dark circles beneath his eyes, and bags are starting to form in the shadows. His lips are dry, the whites of his eyes bloodshot.

“Are you okay?” I ask. “Did the Renshaw witches hurt you?” I search him for injuries and find none.

“It’s past my bedtime.” He laughs again and then rests his shoulder against the corner where the hallway spills into the living room. He’s slouched, as if being upright is starting to wear on him.

“Did you get your answers? You just left me.”

His head lolls against the wall. “Would you forgive me if I apologized?”

“No.”

“Then I won’t.”

“Such an asshole.” I roll my eyes and set the brush aside. When I reach him at the hallway, I slide my hands over his stomach, feeling the tautness of his abs beneath the thin material of his shirt. “You left me chained to the bed.”

“That’s my favorite way to leave you.”

I gaze up at him and find his eyelids heavy. It’s hard to say if it’s exhaustion or lust. Maybe a little of both.

“Don’t ever do that again,” I warn him halfheartedly.

“I absolutely will.” In a flash, he grabs me, presses me against the wall, and wraps his hand around my throat. A little breath escapes me as he tilts my chin up, his lips hovering just an inch above mine.

“You did good, using your voice on me,” he says, “but I still prefer you at my mercy.”

Our breath mingles. My heart races faster, thudding against my ribs.

I may have told him never to do it again, but he and I both know I also prefer being at his mercy.

Bran picks up on it and says, “My naughty little mouse.”

Then he kisses me. It’s a slow meeting of lips first, then his tongue invades my mouth as his hips press into mine, driving me into the wall. I moan into him and he grinds his cock against me and then—

He’s gone.

I stumble away from the wall, a little drunk with need. “You’re teasing me.”

“That’s all you get for now, little mouse.” He walks backward, disappearing into the shadows. “Come to bed with me.”

I follow the sound of his voice down the hallway, skin erupting in goosebumps as my base instinct senses the predator watching me from the darkness.

I know Bran and I have new ground to cover and our relationship has to transform as we uncover more and more about who I am and what I’m capable of, but we operate at our best when Bran has the upper hand and I submit to him.

He likes it and I like it.

We just have to figure out how to exist on equal ground outside of our relationship.

Maybe that’s the key.

Submit in the bedroom.

Assume my power outside of it and give Bran the grace he needs to find his place in that new balance.

His hand grabs mine in the dark and his touch is gentle as he guides me into the bedroom, then over to the bed. I slip off the jeans but leave the tee on. I’m not entirely sure I’m going to sleep yet.

A second later, the bed shifts beneath Bran’s weight and he slides over the thick, plush mattress to curl into me.

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