Alessia reached out a finger to trace the edge of one and squeaked when the pointed tip cut her skin. “They’re sharp.”
“Dull teeth are not good, Little mate.” He licked his lips, savoring the flavor of his mate’s minuscule drop of blood, before guiding her hand back to his mouth. Titus sucked lightly on her fingertip before swirling his tongue over the small slice. “There. All better.”
She stared down at her unblemished finger. “I couldn’t have… You’re going to tell me that your vampire powers healed me?”
“Yes. Remember my hand and the glass on the wall? I almost severed this finger.” He lifted his previously injured hand and showed her the faint, pale scar. “That will disappear in another hour. Soon, nothing will remain.”
“And because you’re a vampire, you could run so fast and jump the walls?”
“Yes, basically. I have athletic abilities that exceed a human’s. I can also see in the dark and….”
“And turn into a bat?” she said, interrupting.
“Now, that’s a myth. I can blend into shadows and disguise my presence,” he said.
“And you live on blood?” she asked, studying her finger.
“I could. You could survive on healthy foods for your body as well, but I bet you like sweets, potato chips, and pasta.”
He lifted the sandwich he still held to her lips. “Have another bite, Alessia.”
She took the food from his hands and absentmindedly chomped down. As she chewed, a funny expression passed over her face. She offered him the treat in her hand and watched like a hawk as he sampled it. “You can eat real food?”
“Yes, Little mate.” He reached a hand out and plucked a cluster of grapes from the tray. He fed a green globe to her before popping another into his mouth. “Good, huh?”
“Very.” She accepted another one as she sat quietly studying him. “Aren’t I supposed to be afraid of you?”
“If you were my prey, yes. But you’re not. You’re my mate.”
“You don’t drain visitors at Nightfall?” Alessia asked.
“That would be terrible for business, Little mate. We want customers to return and bring their friends. Besides, I enjoy entertaining the crowd. It’s what I’m good at. Now, as much as back in the 1400s, people have challenges—different ones, of course. I enjoy helping others escape for a brief time.”
Alessia noddedand then looked seriously at him. Gathering her courage, she forced herself to say, “You call me Little mate, and asked me to call you Daddy.”
“Yes. Mates are perfectly matched. I’ve craved a special type of relationship from my teenage years. From your reaction, I’m guessing you have at least heard of that dynamic.”
Alessia squirmed a bit at his direct question. She couldn’t lie to him. She could, however, downplay the attraction to that lifestyle that captivated her. “I’ve read all sorts of books. I think one of them had the heroine calling their lover Daddy.”
“One, huh?” Titus’s green eyes danced with amusement.
Could he read her mind? Better stick as close to the truth as possible. “Okay, several.”
“Are you not attracted to having someone care for you completely, Alessia?” His hand smoothed over her shoulder as he studied her face. “Honesty is vital between mates. I could read your mind, but I’d rather you shared the information with me.”
Alessia bristled with indignation at that statement before she processed he had simply stated the truth. If she could believe he was a vampire, wasn’t his ability to sense her inner desires understandable as well? “I’ve never discussed age play with anyone.”
Fierce heat lit up his gaze as his eyes turned red. He liked the idea that he was her first Daddy. She smiled at his excitement. “Then we explore the dynamic together, Little mate. You tell me what you enjoy and what you don’t. I’ll take your preferences under advisement.”
She bristled slightly. “What does that mean, under advisement?”
“A Daddy is always in charge, Little mate. I promise I will discuss things with you where possible.”
She took a bite of the sandwich to digest his statement. The thought crossed her mind that he didn’t say he’d get her approval for his actions. A mental image of lying over Titus’s lap as he spanked her shocked her. Alessia coughed and choked on the bread. Titus helped sit her up straight and pounded on her back. She held up her hand, asking for a moment to recover, and drank deeply from her glass. That gulpof brandy burned down her throat. Instantly, she launched into another coughing fit.
Titus grabbed a bottle of water from the tray and twisted the lid off. “Here, Alessia. Try this.”
He plucked the snifter from her hand and swapped the brandy with the plastic container. She could feel his concern as he carefully watched her swallow several times. As if he needed to touch her, Titus rubbed her spine to console her. Titus never took his gaze off her. That level of concern felt incredible.
