“Kick in?”
“Never mind.” He walked over, grabbed me by the shoulders, and pulled me to my feet. “Look into my eyes.”
Before I could tell him to pound pretty sand, I was swept away by two beautiful swirling orbs sucking me into their atmosphere.
“Tonight, we will drink champagne,” he commanded. “Then we will danceuntil the sun comes up, and when you wake, you will see that I was trying to care for you because that is my role—as your mate and coven leader.”
His voice hummed in my ears like the voice of God, seeping into my soul. I went for the second champagne glass he’d set on the nightstand and drank it down.
“That’s a good girl,” he said. “Now, let us return to the restaurant and enjoy the evening.”
No, I will not. You can’t make me like it!But as my heart protested, I felt my will slipping away. He’d just done something to me with his eyes!
“Yes, enjoy…” I muttered.
Why are you doing this, Stark?He had crossed a line that could not be uncrossed. Taking away my free will was a relationship ender. It meant he could never be trusted. It meant he didn’t respect me.And I can’t love a man like that.
Maybe this had been the problem all along. He wasn’t a man. He was a vampire who expected to be obeyed, even by me.
CHAPTER SIX
“You see, Masie? See how good life can be if you cease resisting and do as I say?” Holding me close, Stark and I swayed together under the stars on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. A familiar classical tune played from several speakers hidden among the greenery surrounding us. “Now, I want you to enjoy this music. Soak it in. What does it remind you of?”
“Angry Italians.”
“Ah. That is because it is the theme song toThe Godfather. Quite beautiful, is it not?”
Actually, it was. “Reminds me of drifting in the air on a warm summer night.”
He looked down at me with curiosity. “That is a perfect description. I am so glad you are enjoying it.”
I was, but only because he’d ordered me to. I enjoyed how his warm body staved off the chill in the air while we seamlessly moved to the music. I was enjoying gazing into his eyes, and how, in their depths, I saw images of our future where he was my everything, and I was his. I savored the strangesensation in my chest, like I somehow knew that time would never change our love because our hearts were joined by a connection that consumed us both. The moment felt too beautiful to believe.
That’s because this isn’t real.Every second of this evening had been shoved down my throat.I don’t know what kind of spell you got me under, Stark, but I swear, the moment you free me, I’m gonna turn you into a puck and put you in a urinal at the Rooster.
“I am having a wonderful time,” I lied involuntarily.
“You did well with my friends. I could not be prouder.”
Again, it was because he’d literally ordered me to be charming. “Smile. Be polite. Compliment their fangs.” I had to endure hours of chatting with creepy vampires wearing ruffled collars, garish velvet suits, or historical costumes from whichever place they’d come from. One guy literally had on lederhosen. But everyone, and I mean everyone, eye-fucked me the entire night like wolves circling a steak.
“Thank you. I am here to enjoy,” I said robotically.
Stark dipped me and kissed my lips. “Sadly, it is almost time for bed. The sun will be up soon, and I have many plans for us tomorrow night. You will need your rest.”
“Aren’t you putting me in a box so I can go home?” I asked.
“After tonight, I’d hoped you’d change yourmind and wish to stay—to relax, enjoy the night beach, and savor the natural beauty of the island. Let us see how you feel tomorrow evening. Come,” he took my hand, “I will walk you to your suite.”
You’d better not be thinking about sleeping in my bed!I’d sooner kick him in the acorns than let him get a nut from my lady-tree. “I would like that.”
As we strolled along the walkway, the first rays of sunlight appeared behind the horizon. Oddly, he didn’t seem to be in a hurry.
“Maybe we should walk a little faster.” I might be under his control, but that didn’t mean I wanted to burn up.
“Not to worry,” he said. “I have plenty of time. Besides, this sunrise is stunning today. Wouldn’t you agree?”
It’s yellow and orange, like I’m about to be if we don’t walk faster.“Looks…hot.”
