Page 52 of Crimson Bond

“I’m selfish when it comes to you,” Reece confessed. “Everything I do—everything I’ve done since I came here was about the chance to be with you. I joined the Bloodbound so I could be with you when you took over for Imogen someday.”

He took me in his arms and stroked his fingers down my cheek as if my skin was the softest silk and he couldn’t resist touching it.

“That ‘someday’ is almost here. You’regoingto be queen, Abbi. And I’ll be your willing consort—as often as I get the chance.” He took a deep breath and steeled his jaw. “The only problem is I’m not sure how I’m going to share you with the other Bloodbound.”

“I don’t want any of them,” I told him. “I don’t want anyone but you—ever.”

Reece smiled, wide and genuine and with enough warmth to melt even the iciest pocket of resentment I’d been hanging on to.

“I was hoping you’d say that. It’s impossible, of course, but I like hearing you say it anyway.”

He sank a big hand into my hair and cradled the back of my head, guiding my mouth to his.

I made a half-hearted attempt to pull away. “Maybe we shouldn’t...”

“Shut up and kiss me,” Reece growled, continuing his sweet assault on my mouth and backing me toward the nearby bed.

As we tumbled onto it, I pulled my mouth away again—though Ireallydidn’t want to. His kisses were like the richest dessert and the most addictive drug rolled into one. “Are you sure we should—”

“Yes.”

Reece yanked his shirt over his head then started working on the buttons of my pj top. “I love you, Abbi. I may not be your last, but by God I’mgoingto be your first. You’re going to be my first andonly—and I plan to make sure you’ll think only ofme, even when those other drones come calling.”

I wanted to protest that there would be no other “drones,” that even if Imogen died or abdicated her rule, I had no intention of taking her place—on the Crimson throneorin the queen’s royal bedchamber.

But I didn’t say any of it. All I could manage was a breathless, “yes.” And then my mouth, and the rest of me, were quite busy for the next several hours.

* * *

Rolling onto his back,Reece pulled me against him, tucking me between his arm and chest.

I wrapped my arm around him and held him close, not wanting the intimate contact to end. Ever. It had been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. And possibly the stupidest thing I’d ever done.

“We just committed treason,” I said, torn between awe and terror.

He pressed his cheek against the top of my head and gave a happy laugh. “No one in the history of time has ever been more thrilled about committing treason than I am. Even if Imogen wakes up a vampire and has me beheaded for it, I still won’t be sorry.Thatwas worth it.”

I slapped at his bare chest. “Don’t say that. Don’t even joke about it. I can’t bear the thought of anything bad happening to you.”

He held me tighter. “All the bad has already happened. Now it’s time for the good stuff. You’re going to be anamazingqueen.”

“Reece... I’ve told you—I’mnotgoingto be queen of the Crimson Court. This doesn’t change anything. I still can’t fill Imogen’s shoes. And I could never live up to Sadie. I’m not enough. I can’t do it.”

“You don’thaveto do it on your own—I’m here. The Bloodbound are here, and they’ll listen to me and Kannon. But you do have to try.”

“Do I? I’ve been thinking... if the cure ends up working on Imogen... we could take it, too. We could be human again.”

28

Can’t Go Back

Reece

A tremor went through my whole body. I could hardly believe my ears.

“You don’t mean that. You’re just scared. Either that or my amazing lovemaking skills scrambled that pretty head of yours. You’re not thinking straight.”

“Iam. And I do mean it, Reece. I’m a terrible vampire. I’m too... soft.”

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