Page 8 of Forced Vampire Mate

One of the men caught my wrist and twisted, trying to break my hold on my knife. I dropped it, grabbing with the other hand, and jammed the blade between his ribs. He snarled, his grip tightening on me.

His eyes glowed brighter as I yanked it out and stabbed up through his jaw. He fell, half-dragging me with him. My legs got tangled in my skirt, and as I pitched to one side, I threw my hand out to catch myself. The final vampire came at me from behind. Her knife flashed in the air as it stabbed toward me. I rolled but was caught in place, pinned by this fucking dress.

Blood exploded into the air. It settled like a fine mist over me. The vampire woman toppled to one side. Something dark and huge hulked over me. I yanked myself free and rolled to my feet as the figure reached for me. With a howl, I threw myself forward, punching them in the stomach with one hand and swiping at their throat with the knife.

A huge hand closed over mine, stopping the knife as it pressed into soft flesh. The red haze faded from my vision, and I found myself staring into Luken’s face. His normally amber eyes snapped golden as I stood there, my knife against his throat, the scent of blood lingering all around us.

I panted, the adrenaline still surging through me. I could kill him. It wouldn’t do any good, not least to Darcie, but I could do it. I could make him pay for lying to me.

His hand was still tight on mine. His free hand came up and he swiped his thumb across my cheek. A sting accompanied his actions. Somewhere in the fight, my face had been cut. Luken, his eyes never leaving mine, brought the thumb covered with my blood to his mouth. He sucked on it and his pupils dilated.

A grin crossed over his face as his free hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. Our hips pressed together. He was fully aroused, his erection pressing against my belly. I gasped, half in disbelief and half as fire burned through my veins.

“I could cut your throat, and you’re hard?” I hissed at him.

“Seeing you fight will always make me hard,” he answered. “I love the way you move, Elara. Remember the hot springs? The way we fought there? I think about it every night. You’re such a fucking warrior. Look at how you took out these fools!”

The pride in his eyes made all the air around me disappear. Nobody had ever looked at me like that, as though I was the most perfect thing they’d ever seen. Nobody but him. Every nerve in my body screamed for him, the blood boiling between my legs. I wanted him so badly.

I drew the knife sharply back, slamming my body into his. Luken caught my mouth before I could decide what I was doing. His fingers tightened around my wrist as he turned me, pressing me up against the lamppost. I hitched my leg over his hip as he ground himself into me, our clothes a regrettable barrier.

His mouth was soft and hot, his body hard as he pressed himself against me. He growled in pleasure as he inhaled my scent, working the buttons on my bodice. The tight fabric fell away, and he cupped my breasts in his hands. My bra was thin, letting me feel the heat of his hands, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted his skin against mine. I tore my lips away from his to kiss his neck, to nibble at his collarbone. The scent of him drove me wild.

When he grabbed the thigh that was slung over his hip, I used his strength to hold me in place, rolling my pelvis toward him. His hard cock rubbed against me as I sought out the friction, wanting more, needing more. My motions were rewarded by a long, breathy growl from him.

I popped open the first button of his shirt and kissed the golden skin it revealed. He was a god made real, his arms tight on me, his desire for me evident. Right now, I don’t care for all the reasons why I shouldn’t want this. He was mine, and no fucking vampires were going to tell me that he should be with someone else. Watching the women at court throw themselves at him all night left me feeling feral. I swung my other leg up, practically climbing him. The lamppost was hard against my back as Luken pressed me to it, my legs wrapped around his waist.

Too many clothes.

He thrust against me, hard, the way he had when we’d fucked the first—the only—time. His mouth delved into the juncture of my neck and shoulder. I groaned as his fangs scratched against my skin. Yes. Yes, I wanted this. I wanted him to be inside of me, cock and fang. My head fell back as my core tightened. If only it weren’t for these clothes. I wanted his hand on my clit, his cock inside of me. I wanted—

Luken let out a sudden, harsh groan of frustration. His grip on me loosened, and he stepped back. My glance fell to his crotch, expecting to find evidence that he’d finished in his pants. The bulge that was still evidence proved that it wasn’t the case. Panting, clutching at him, I stared up at him in confusion.

“I won’t,” he said, his voice rough. “I’m not going to take you. Not until you come to me. Remember?”

I gaped at him. What had that been, if it wasn’t me coming to him? Did he want me on my knees, begging for him?

He adjusted my bra, covering me again. At some point, I wasn’t sure when, my breasts had been exposed. Then, with quick movements, he buttoned my bodice and arranged my skirt to cover me despite it being torn. All the while, I stared at him, certain he was going to break any moment. He wanted me. I could see it, feel it.

“I will have someone take care of these bodies,” he said, stepping back from me.

Oh. Right. I’d forgotten about the fight. I looked around, seeing the scene with fresh eyes. Oh, they were dead, alright. I’d done more damage than I realized. It wasn’t the first time a fight had grown more bloody and fierce than I realized.

“I suppose you’ll have to punish me for it?” I asked, trying to bring my body back under control.

“For defending yourself?” Luken arched one dark eyebrow. “No. You are guiltless here, Elara. And if these idiots had thought things through, they would remember that I have cameras in the gardens. If it comes to it, it will be easy to prove to their families that they were traitors.”

I looked up. “All through the gardens?”

He gave me a piercing look. “Not through all of them, no. I don’t know what you and Thessa were talking about.”

And with that, he turned on his heel and walked away.

I stared after him, stained with blood, wet between my thighs. A swirl of sensations moved through me. Lust was at the forefront, but it was being quickly overwhelmed by hurt and confusion. He knew I was planning something with Thessa. I didn’t trust that he didn’t know what it was about. And now he was just leaving, wanting me to crawl after him and beg him to take me back.

The hurt morphed. It crystallized, burning hotter and growing spiky in my chest. I hated him. I couldn’t forget him. This pull I felt toward him was nearly all-powerful, but I couldn’t give in.

Screw the plan. It would take too long. I needed to escape tonight.

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