“What do you say we sneak up to your room?”
My nipples hardened, and I bit my lip. Who did this guy think he was, wanting to sneak off? Who was I, getting turned on at the suggestion?
He probably wanted to bite my neck and suck my blood. I wasn’t keen on being a snack, but the idea of it didn’t repulse me like it should have.
“I don’t think my parents will appreciate that.” I looked around for them and Reve but couldn’t find them.
“Some other time, then.” He stepped away and straightened his jacket. “I hope to see you again soon.”
Before I could even protest, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me in shock. Did he really just leave because I wouldn’t sneak away with him?
What an ass.
Once it was acceptable for me to leave the party, I made my way up the winding staircase to the second level of the castle. I was exhausted after spending almost the entire day worrying. Now, I was even more worried because of Val’s sudden departure.
I thought maybe he had gone somewhere and would come back, but he’d disappeared. If that was how our marriage was going to go, we were going to have issues.
But when I opened my bedroom door, there he was, lounging in a chair in the corner. I could only see part of his face in the shadows, but the part I could see was relaxed, and his eyes danced with glee.
I put my hand over my chest to keep my heart from jumping out of it. “What are you doing in my room?”
He stood and moved toward me. “It took you long enough.”
“If this is your way of courting me, your technique could use some work.” The words came out sharper than I intended, my frustration getting the better of me.
Finding him lounging in my bedroom like he owned it struck a nerve. Did vampires have no concept of boundaries? Or was it this vampire who seemed determined to keep me off-balance?
He stepped in front of me and brought his hand to my cheek. I desperately wanted to swat his hand away, but my body wanted him to touch me. My face heated as thoughts of kissing him took over.
His eyes traveled to my mouth, and his tongue darted out to wet his lips. Crap, I was in big trouble.
I’d only been kissed once, and although I’d read all about sex, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing.
My arms fell to my sides, suddenly feeling heavy. “You left me downstairs. What if I found another man to keep me company, and he’s on his way up right now?”
Val’s eyes darkened, and he stepped closer until I could feel the heat radiating from his body. His jaw tightened as his fingers trailed from my cheek to my neck, leaving a path of electricity in their wake.
“Lying doesn’t suit you, Princess.” He tilted my chin up with his thumb, forcing me to meet his gaze. “There’s no other man. I can tell by your scent and the way your pulse quickened.”
I forgot how to breathe as his other arm snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
“You’re mine now, and I want you.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper that made my knees weak.
I should have been outraged by his possessiveness. Instead, I melted into his touch, my body betraying every reasonable thought in my head.
“I want that too,” I whispered, the admission barely audible even to my own ears.
His lips crashed down on mine, claiming me with a hunger that left no room for doubt. His kiss was a declaration, a promise, and a warning all wrapped into one intoxicating moment that stole what little sense I had left.
CHAPTER SIX
NICO
Ijolted awake to soft moans coming from the other side of the bed. My eyes adjusted to the darkness, finding Sammy’s lips parted, her brow furrowed as she moved beneath the sheets. Her face flushed, even in the dim moonlight coming in through the window.
The unmistakable sweet fragrance of her arousal hit me, and my cock responded immediately.
Fuck. This wasn’t the first time she’d had dreams like this, and I’d woken to her scent, but something about tonight felt different.
