Page 3 of The Virgin and the Vampire

“What are you doing?” she asks huskily as I sweep her dark curls out of the way in order to seal the clasp.

“Claiming you,” I remind her huskily. The sight of her wearing my collar incites my cock to claim her in other ways too.

When Gianna’s hand goes to her throat to finger the delicate metalwork, I swiftly wrap a matching bracelet around her wrist. It’s considered overkill these days to wrap a thrall at all five pulse points, but something in me demands the tradition where Gianna is concerned. I tug her other hand from under her hip and band that, too. The metal is infused with my saliva and since it’s semi-organic will respond only to me. There is no traditional clasp. Instead, the metalwork fits neatly together and is fused by licking it with my tongue. Only the same procedure will release the jewels from Gianna’s body. The metal also gives off my scent, detectable to other vampires and alerting them that this woman is permanently off limits.

Gianna gasps as she looks down at her arms. While she’s preoccupied, I seal the anklets in place. “Kade! I can’t wear these. That’s an absolute fortune in diamonds. These are diamonds, right? They look too old for cubic zirconia.”

I growl. “Of course they’re diamonds. It would be rude to offer a thrall anything less. Claiming jewels are a mark of respect and gratitude, not mere decoration.”

“Well, they’re beautiful, but hardly practical. I can’t work in a lab blinged out like Miss Las Vegas.”

I sit back on my heels. She has a point. And I hardly want to keep her from her career, just as long as it doesn’t involve first-hand research with any other vamps. “We can have a more practical set made later and save these for special occasions.” A wave of possessiveness washes over me as I regard her graceful neck and limbs twinkling in the light.

“You can’t mean me to sleep in these, surely. They’ll get damaged.”

I snort. “No, they won’t. And yes, those stay on until I can replace them with a more modern design. You can try to take them off, Gianna. You won’t hurt them.”

Her arch look says she doesn’t believe me, but she gives one of the bracelets a gentle tug and when that doesn’t work, a more serious yank. The bracelet stays just as it was. She brings it up to her face to examine it.

“Where does it fasten? I can’t see the clasp.”

“There isn’t one. Or rather, there is a natural split in the design, but only my saliva can seal and unseal it. The metal is organic in a sense and will respond only to me.”

Her eyes widen. “I thought that was just a legend.”

I shake my head. “It’s not. Now, are we returning to your little house tonight, or do you want to stay here?”

I place a pair of too large felt slippers on her dainty feet before she decides to attempt to walk home.

“Where is there a mirror? I want to see how ridiculous this looks.”

Picking her up, I carry her through to the master bath and set her gently on her feet. She gapes at her reflection and I dare to unfasten the tie of her robe. Easing it off her shoulders, I toss it away before murmuring, “This is how you are meant to be seen, Gianna. You are magnificent, and it’s an honor to become your protector.”

Her eyes meet mine in the mirror. She’s looking overwhelmed. I suppose this has all been a bit much for her in just a few hours. I turn and move back into the closet. Finding and retrieving a white dress shirt, I hand it to her. “Here. If you aren’t ready to sleep with me naked, you can wear this.”

“Does that mean I get to sleep in the guestroom?” she asks hopefully.

I shake my head. “No, baby. You’ll be sleeping in my arms from here on out. I knew the moment you opened the door that you belong in my bed. Do you need anything to eat before we retire? I’m not sure what Doris has on hand, but there’s bound to be something.”

She shakes her head. “Who’s Doris?”

“My housekeeper. She lives with her husband, Ed, in a cottage at the back of the property. He takes care of the gardens, but she usually has her lunch and snacks here, so there are supplies in the kitchen. I don’t have guests, so it’s limited until I can have her shop for you.”

Gianna frowns. “You seem awfully sure. What if I’m not?”

I shrug. “You will be. I’m not forcing anything but the jewelry on you, baby. And from the way you were admiring your reflection, I know you love the pieces.”

“Who wouldn’t? It’s a king’s ransom in diamonds, Kade. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t off your rocker. When was the last time you fed? Is that it? Are you out of your mind with hunger?”

I gaze down at her innocent face with amusement. “No, sweetness. I fed three days ago. And I’m old enough to go a few weeks between feeding without side effects. I’m fine.”

“Oh,” she sounds slightly deflated at that news.

Talk about birthday surprises! In the space of a few hours, I went from alone with a book and a glass of wine to bedecked in diamonds in a gorgeous (although crazy) vampire’s mansion. I really need to talk to my sister to confirm she’s behind this and what else she knows. But Kade doesn’t seem to want me out of his sight.

I don’t mean that in a menacing way though, he keeps reaching out to touch me, trail a finger down my arm, place his hand in the small of my back, things like that. Finally he leaves me alone to brush my teeth, having dug out a new toothbrushfrom some stash or other. I’m debating whether to break the spell with a call to my sister or not when I hear my cell erupt from the other room.

I meander in to find my phone, toothbrush still in my mouth. It’s Carina. I roll my eyes and answer the video call. “Hey, big sister.”

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