“And you know it’s not when in this situation.” My lips twitched, actually enjoying his evasion of the question. I had to try, too curious about his age. “Is this against the rules for a candidate?”
Still blunt and to the point. “It’s frowned upon, but not against the rules. I would prefer no one know about it, though.”
“Same here.” I nodded absently. The last thing I would need was for people to think I was getting special treatment. My head cocked in curiosity. “Is it because of the bite? Is that why you want to fuck me?”
“No, I want to fuck you because I’m attracted to you.” His black brows rose. “Are you done with the twenty questions now?”
My eyes ran over his features slowly. Besides the five o’clock shadow covering his jaw, we looked a lot alike. One feminine, one masculine. He was built for seduction. I snickered softly and shook my head a little. “We’re both very vain since we find each other attractive.”
His lips curled up on one side in a teasing smile. “Ah, so you do find me attractive. I truly hadn’t figured that out yet. You hide it well.” He sniffed the air, his eyes flooding red. “I should have known, though. Your arousal hasn’t disappeared, even after my bite ended.”
“Not polite,” I grouched.
“I’m simply stating the truth.” He bent at the waist and placed his face in front of mine, the tip of his nose a mere inch from mine. “Answer my question. Yes or no. If it’s a no, I’ll need to ask you to leave. We’ll deal with the third Challenge in the morning when we’re both in a different…mood.”
My own eyes charged with lust, burning as red as his, my breaths coming in short pants. “Yeah, I want you. I want this.”
“Yes?” An arrogant black brow lifted.
“Yes.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
~ GWYNNORE ~
Lord Belshazzar blurred as soon as the word ‘yes’ exited my mouth. His strong arms tightened around my hips, and he lifted me straight off my feet with dizzying speed. Wind whipped through my hair, blowing the black strands into the lord’s chiseled features, but he didn’t seem to mind. No, not when he flattened me on my back, laying me on top of the fur rug, the flames of the fire only inches from our bodies. His heavy and warm weight pressed down over every inch of me. From the tips of my toes to the crown of my head, the lord’s cinnamon scent and his hard-muscled frame enveloped me.
I shook the dizziness from my head and glanced at the flames so close by. Then I peered up into his burning red eyes. Out of breath from the rush, I panted, “You like to live on the dangerous side, huh?”
His lips curved in pleasure. “Oh, yes.” His gaze ran over my features. “Are you all right now?”
I removed one hand from the death grip I had on his shoulders and rubbed my forehead a bit. Sheepish, I mumbled, “You move a lot faster than I do. Just got a little dizzy. I’m fine now.”
“I move a lot faster than most. But the blood loss didn’t help you either.” He dipped his head, narrowing his eyes on mine. “Are you sure you can handle me? Like I said, you are young still.”
I glowered. “Shut up.”
His lips twitched, though his resentful gaze didn’t waver, confusing me some. “Don’t puke on me.”
I scoffed, “I would never—”
Wind rushed and the room tilted in a mad rush.
Reality twisted and curved as we moved.
I squealed. “Shit, shit, shit, shit!”
Suddenly, we were in the same position again.
Except we were butt ass naked.
My mouth flapped like a darn idiot. I couldn’t stop blinking past the stars in my eyes. And I was certain I had a little drool hanging out of the side of my mouth. I sputtered, “Huh?”
The lord’s chuckle was quiet and devious. One long finger wiped against my cheek—yes, drool—and he stated calmly, “I was slow earlier. That’s how fast I can really move.”
With the back of my right hand, I quickly rubbed my cheek for any remaining drool. I continued to blink until he completely came back into focus. My eyes took a slow gander at all the hard olive-colored flesh I could see over me. It was only his shoulders, but they were damn perfect. I sucked in a sharp breath and leveled my eyes with his, desire spreading out to my fingertips for this vampire. They itched to touch all of his skin.
I growled, “I hope your end game tonight isn’t that quick.”
