The pair left, sealing me in a room with a vampire whose control over himself was up for debate.
Liam’s breath stirred the hair on the back of my neck. I froze in place, conscious of how close he was standing behind me. I’d never even heard him move.
“Mo chuisle.”
I tried to control the fluttering in my stomach. “Liam.”
Fear wasn’t the emotion that held me in its grasp, per se. Maybe something closer to trepidation. A mixture of apprehension and nerves.
This version of Liam was unfamiliar. And with vampires, there was always a danger of our instincts taking over and making us do something we would regret later.
Despite that knowledge, I couldn’t help the awareness that made my skin tingle with anticipation of his touch. A part of me didn’t believe Liam could ever hurt me. Even lost to blood lust as he might be.
His touch feathered along my spine as his lips touched the side of my neck. “I yearn.”
My breath shuddered. He wasn’t the only one.
Liam toyed with the ends of my hair as I remained still, concentrating on keeping my pulse at a steady pace. Any sign of desire would hasten his loss of control. And mine.
His low, masculine chuckle told me I wasn’t entirely successful. A hand wrapped around my throat, gentle but firm as he ran his nose down the side of my neck. “Mine.”
“Maybe.”
His grip tightened, not cutting off my air but a reminder that he could. It was probably foolish to poke the tiger while he had me in his claws, but that slightly insane person inside of me that I usually ignored couldn’t help herself.
“Forever mine.” He clasped my hip, bringing me more fully against him and letting me feel his hard length.
“Perhaps.”
The sting on the side of my neck made me gasp a second before pleasure flooded my veins. My resolve to play keep-away wavered, desire making my thoughts slow.
Liam’s hands cupped my breasts, playing with them for a moment before one hand slipped inside my shirt.
I let myself enjoy the sensation for a second before ripping myself out of his arms. The brief flash of pain sent a thrill through me.
Liam withdrew his fangs rather than cause more damage.
I spun out of his arms, conscious of a thin trail of liquid sliding down my neck to stain the collar of my shirt.
Liam didn’t look away from the mark he’d made, licking his lips at the sight of blood.
Focus, Aileen.
“I wish to ruin you,” he whispered, still staring at my neck.
“Funny thing—I feel the same.”
I wanted to dive so deep inside of him that he wouldn’t be able to breathe without me. To occupy his thoughts and desires the way he did mine.
His gaze deepened. “Be good.”
“Never.”
That ended with my human life. I lived the way I wanted. And what I wanted right now was to drive Liam a little crazy.
My earlier caution was gone, replaced by something else. Something wicked and wild. I didn’t even want to try to control myself.
I laughed and danced out of the way as he reached for me. My victory was short lived as he used vampire speed to pin me against a wall.
