Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“We’ll be bonded so it doesn’t matter anymore if you know.” His hand returned to my shoulder and tugged the top of my gown down a little. “Princess Octavia is my twin sister. Queen Regina is my mother. Leeta, the older woman you met tonight, served my mother as her maid. When Octavia and I were born, my mother ordered Leeta to take me away.”
Shock filled me. I covered my mouth with my hand. “Your mother couldn’t stand to see you die.”
“No, but not for sentimental reasons.” He glided his fingers across the outline of my neck. His touch sent shivers down my spine. “She wanted to be the mother of the prince who conquered the Quiet King. She’s been plotting every day of my life. My poor sister just wants to be free to make her own decisions. Regardless, my mother and Octavia want me to breed and build an army.”
I dropped my hand in my lap as he scooted closer to me. “That’s why you didn’t trust me, because Octavia brought me to you?”
“It’s also why I stopped helping dominas. Somehow, they always lead a domina my way whether I know it or not. They always hope that I will be overcome with lust and finally breed with one.” He tugged the gown down farther until the moons’ light shone on the top of my right breast. “But no domina has made me react this way, but you. It could be the red hair. I wonder. . .if that is the difference.”
I let my eyes follow the movement of his moist tongue inch-by-inch as it traveled over his lip.
His fangs stretched out longer. My flesh quivered at the thought of them inside me.
I’d heard a vampire’s bite provided great pleasure—the best aphrodisiac. All of a sudden, I yearned to experience it and writhe in ecstasy.
It wouldn’t be wrong. Right? Just one bite and then I won’t let him touch me again.
“Are you ready for me?” He extended his hand and reached for my chin. His thumb went to my lips and traced their thickness.
“Only a bite,” I whispered as his warm, soft thumb crept near the opening of my lips, begging me to suck on it.
And oh, Ambi, I want to suck on it, but I can’t.
I tilted my head back to escape his hand.
“Are you sure that’s it?” Xander’s words slipped along my skin. “I could give you more. I yearn to give you more.”
I averted my eyes. “I have a husband in Zumaya.”
“You never answered me earlier. Did he continue to write you?”
I closed my eyes. Dread dropped to the pit of my stomach. “I’m sure he had a reason to stop sending his letters.”
“Maybe, he did. Or maybe he did not.”
“That’s not your concern.”
“What if he has moved on?”
“Then, I will see if that is true first.”
“Camille, he is not here, but I am.”
“One bite. That’s it.”
Xander spoke through clenched teeth, “Then we mustn’t disrespect your husband.”
“No.” I glared. “We must not.”
Xander narrowed his eyes at me as he pulled off his shirt.
Even in dimly lit shadows I could make out his bulging muscles. My fingers craved to touch them. My tongue ached to lick those rugged layers.
Stop it. Think about Ethan.
But my husband’s face didn’t come to me. And even worse, I found myself latching on to Xander’s assertions that Ethan didn’t care, just so I had an excuse to fall into a guiltless pleasure.
Don’t Camille. Be loyal.
I curled my fingers into tight little fists.
“Lay down, please.” Xander’s voice stroked my ears like a man seducing his lover after they’d suffered a long absence.
Oh, Ambi. I can’t calm myself down.
My words came out shaky. “You don’t need to take off your shirt to bite me.”
“But I do if I want to feel the softness of your skin against mine.”
“I’ve changed my mind. Figure out another alternative.” I bit my lip.
“No.”
We glared at each other for several seconds.
I crossed my arms around my chest. “So you’ll just take the bite from me against my will?”
“No.” He looked away. “But I promise it will just be a bite to form the connection, nothing more.”
Clearing my throat, I eased down onto my back. My hands shook. “Okay.”
I placed my hands at my sides.
As soon as my head hit the pillow, he blurred to me. Those supple lips joined my throat in seconds, but he didn’t pierce me with his fangs.
Instead, he kissed and sucked on the area, nibbling the curve of my neck and licking each spot.
Oh.
My nipples hardened.
I arched my back toward him, moaning as a lusty fire formed between my thighs. I could barely catch my breath and when I did breathe, his sweet scent shook my senses.
I have to stop.
His voice trembled against me. “I want to feast on more than your blood right now.”