Page 85 of Twilight Longings

Saintcrow nodded. “Thanks, both of you.”

“You are a lot of trouble, Ryland Saintcrow,” the witch said, but she was smiling as she said it, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

“It’s time to go,” Saintcrow said. He dropped the chains into the pillowcase, removed his gloves and shoved them into his back pocket.

“I wish you luck,” Izabela said, as Saintcrow and Kincaid headed for the door.

“Thanks,” Saintcrow muttered. “We’ll need all we can get.”

Saintcrow knocked on Eleni’s door at exactly midnight. He figured she was standing right behind it because it opened immediately, revealing his sire clad in a nightgown that hid nothing and revealed every luscious curve. Her hair fell over her shoulders, shimmering in the light of a dozen candles. She was a beautiful creature, there was no denying it, her body supple and nicely rounded, and yet, looking at her, he felt nothing at all.

“Right on time,” she purred. “I see you took my threat seriously.”

“Indeed.”

“Well, don’t just stand there,” she said, with a coy smile. “Come in.”

“Why me, Eleni?” he asked, genuinely curious. “And why now, after so many centuries?”

“Why not?” She unbuttoned his shirt, peeled it off, and tossed it on the floor.

“I have the feeling that once you—what’s the phrase? Have your way with me, you’ll find me far less desirable.”

“Perhaps.” She ran her tongue along the side of his neck. “Pity there’s only one way to find out.”

“And if I give you what you want, what kind of guarantee do I have that once will be enough?”

“I guess you’ll just have to trust me.”

“I’d as soon trust a snake.”

She raked her nails down his chest, leaving five shallow, bloody gashes in their wake. Smiling, she leaned forward and licked it off. “Nothing compares to vampire blood.” She held out her arms, her eyes glowing. “I’ve waited long enough for you. Tell me you want me.”

“It’s a lie and you know it.”

“I want to hear it.”

Steeling himself, he murmured, “Eleni, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’m tired of fighting my desire for you.” Taking her in his arms, he rained kisses on her brow, her cheeks, the curve of her throat, her lips. “I can’t wait any longer.”

She smiled triumphantly as he swung her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. A dozen candles revealed a king-sized bed covered with a plush throw and a dozen pillows. A bottle of what was no doubt very expensive wine and two cut-crystal goblets waited on a wooden table next to the bed.Damn.

She ran her tongue down the length of his neck.“Shall we open the wine before, or after?”

“It’s your party. You decide.”

“After.”

There was no reasoning with her, he thought, as he lowered her onto the mattress. She was like a child who had one thing on her mind and wouldn’t be distracted by anything else.

Reaching up, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him down on top of her, holding him close.

Saintcrow kissed her again and again, his hands arousing her and when she was writhing beneath him, begging him to take her, he whispered, “Now!”

Kincaid burst into the room, his gloved hands carrying the chains. With preternatural speed, Jake bound her feet while Saintcrow bound her hands. He let out a hiss of pain as the chains scorched his palms. But there’d been no time to put on his gloves, no way to explain his reason for wearing them.

Eleni let out a shriek as Luca’s chains, now sprinkled with witch blood, seared her skin.

Saintcrow scrambled off the mattress, reached into his right boot, and withdrew a double-bladed knife. Straddling her thighs, he laid the edge of the blade against her throat.

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