Page 32 of Forced Vampire Mate

“Morning,” he said. “You slept for a while.”

I glanced at the sky and started. The first tendrils of darkness were beginning to tinge the horizon purple. I jerked into a sitting position, crossing my legs. Ooh. That let me know just how deep Luken had been; I could almost still feel him inside. It caused my clit to swell, but I pushed aside my lust. I was still stark naked, and he was dressed.

“Where’re my clothes?” I grunted.

Luken pointed. “I remembered them just before the tide came in. Didn’t you pack extras?”

“I did, but that doesn’t mean I want to change out of them. Especially if we’re going to see this elf queen.” I wrinkled my nose as I smelled my clothes. “Yeah, I’m going to have to put on clean clothes before seeing her.”

“Oh, I doubt we’ll have the chance for that. But…” He leaned back and let his eyes trail over me. “We could have another romp before you get dressed.”

I rolled my eyes. “What happened to me begging you for it, huh?”

Luken shrugged. “I’m allowed to change my mind. As it turns out, all you have to do is say you want me, and I’m putty in your hands.”

Heat rose through me, turning my chest and face red. As tempting as it was, I pushed those thoughts aside. We’d lost a whole day. I couldn’t believe I’d let myself sleep so soundly. I yanked on my bra, now crusty with salt, and my shirt over it. After I pulled on my pants, I glanced at Luken again. He was still in his true form, no more glamor. The self-satisfied smirk on his lips did weird things to me, things I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Here, I found some oysters and clams,” he said, handing me the pot. “I’ve done a serviceable job of making you a seafood stew. Though…” He looked me up and down, his smile widening. “Maybe you’re going to want something a bit… stouter?”

I wrinkled my nose at him and grabbed the spoon. The food smelled heavenly, or maybe it was just because I was so hungry.

“I hope thatyou’refull,” I mumbled between mouthfuls. “We wasted so much time already. We have to get moving.”

“Wasted time?” he repeated, lifting one dark brow in what was becoming a very familiar gesture.

I narrowed my eyes and pointed upward. “I slept all day!”

“After swimming all night, then donating enough blood to heal me from a serious curse, and then some rather… enthusiastic exercise. I wonder why you were tired.” He winked at me before settling cross-legged next to me. “How are you feeling? Are you sore? Or…?”

There was a serious note to his voice. He wasn’t just asking me physically. I avoided thinking about the gentleness with which he asked me as I pointed my spoon at him. “I’m pissed that you ruined my panties. Am I just supposed to run around commando?”

“I thought you packed extra. Though I must say, commando suits you. I certainly enjoy the thought that there’s nothing but skin under your clothes.”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed. “Underneath your clothes, you’re naked. How scandalous.”

Luken leaned over the pot of food and pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. It made my skin tingle, and a shiver ran down my spine. I closed my eyes, feeling myself relaxing despite myself. I didn’t want to waste time with these feelings, but how could I simply push them away? After our connection earlier, it was harder for me to hate him.

Even though he was only helping me because of my threats.

Even though he forced me to marry him.

Even though…

“I was thinking, it might be a better idea if you were to return to the palace,” Luken said casually, putting handfuls of sand onto the fire. “It will be more efficient if you are safe and I can continue on this quest by myself.”

By himself? I paused with the spoon in my mouth. Did he really think that it would be that easy to make me forget about this? He was oh-so-determined to see me locked away safely so that he wouldn’t get hurt. He wouldn’t become weaker.

“No,” I said, struggling to keep my voice level. I didn’t want this to devolve into a fight. Not yet, at least. “You’ll waste more time taking me back and then coming back here. Time Thessa and Darcie don’t have.”

“They won’t be sacrificed for a few months yet—” he started soothingly.

I turned on him. “If the Gods are out to get you like you think, what’s to stop them from killing them early? If this is all about you, then don’t you think they’ll do whatever it takes to drive further wedges between us? If anything happens to them because you delayed us, I will never forgive you. I’m not letting you off the hook, letting you pretend like you’re going to get them back only to turn around and make up a story about being too late!”

Luken’s jar tightened. I resisted the urge to push aside the food he’d made for me as I stared challengingly into his eyes. Refusing to eat was stupid. He was right. I needed strength. So I angrily shoveled a few more bites into my mouth, not breaking eye contact. He was going to have to answer sooner or later.

“Ifthe Gods are after me?” he repeated. “I told you, there was a prophecy. With my mate, I can defeat them. And you are my mate. Why else would they keep sending Draven after you?”

“Then you agree they are targeting Thessa and Darcie because of you,” I said caustically.

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