Page 38 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Four

His nostrils flare as he scents the air.

“Where’s Sam?” I ask.

The house is dark and silent.

“I sent her home.”

“Did she stake you?”

He ignores me and says, “You were a naughty mouse today.” His voice vibrates with annoyance.

“I want to say I’m surprised you found out so quickly, but I’m not.”

“There is nothing you can hide from me, Mouse.”

“I know. But don’t forget your promise.”

He narrows his eyes. “Which one?”

“The one where you said you’d let me make mistakes.”

There is a tsk of air between his teeth and he looks away. The light of one of the street posts outside spills into the room and across his face and pools over the broad line of his shoulder. His smell is everywhere even though it’s my house. Wherever Bran is, he overwhelms. In scent and presence and fucking power.

His chest rises with a deep breath and then he says, “Once upon a time, if someone were to disobey me, I would do very terrible things to them.”

I don’t dare move.

“The urge to bend you over this couch and smack your ass is hard to ignore.”

Heat surges to my pussy.

Is he trying to get me riled? Because it’s working.

He leans over and snatches me by the wrist and hauls me onto his lap. My thighs straddle him and his hands come to my waist, fingers just this side of bruising as he seats me on his groin. My hair spills forward as the air quickens in my throat.

I want to rock against him so fucking badly, but I’m not about to give in to him.

“Do you feel satisfied with yourself, little mouse?” His eyes glow amber in the shadow cast by my body, and it causes a shiver to race up my spine.

I wiggle a little and he increases the pressure on my hips, forcing me still.

“I wanted information,” I say, my pussy suddenly buzzing. “And I got some.”

“Did you?” His voice vibrates in his chest. He rocks his hips, pressing the bulge of his pants into the heat between my legs. “Tell me.”

“Why, when you’re clearly mad I went after it?”

He drives me down on him and pleasure builds in my clit.

I can’t help but moan. I try to grind into him, but he lifts me again, creating an aching distance between us.

His irises glint like twin flames. “Tell me, little mouse, and tell me now.”

Fuck. I may have the power to command with my voice, but I lack the authority that Bran can tap into so damn easily. And if I’m honest, I don’t want to give this up, this dance of obedience and defiance between us. The give and take of power.

We will find our new ground, and if I give in to the journey instead of stressing about the destination, maybe I’ll even enjoy it.

I suck in a deep breath when he finally sits me back down on him, teasing me more. “Arion wants my blood,” I answer.

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