Page 116 of Her Vampire, His Ruin

“How many other women have you imprisoned during that time?”

“None.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Reaching for her, I cup her shoulders. She shudders beneath my touch. Anyone witnessing this would assume she’s afraid, but I know better. I can see it in the way her lips part and her cheeks flush, how her chest heaves, and her nipples harden. I can smell it. She doesn’t want to desire me, but she does. We’re both fighting a losing battle, and at some point soon, one of us is going to break.

“There has been no one else but you. You’re the only one I’ve brought back to my⁠—”

“Glorified coffin.” She throws her arm out, disgust crawling across her face. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“I don’t know. Does it?”

She sets her mouth in a hard line and turns her face from me. I close the distance, not caring I’m invading her space, not caring my resolve is crumbling beneath the weight of this obsession. I cradle her chin, guiding her gaze back to mine.

“I know you want me, Edie.”

She shakes her head. “I do not.”

“You want me despite everything.”

“You’re delusional.”

“You haven’t even attempted to escape.”

“Because there is no escape,” she shouts.

“You’ve slept beside me for the past four days,” I say, my fingers lowering as I gently cup her throat.

“What other choice do I have?” she whispers, her breath hitching. “Unlike you, I won’t survive without sleep.”

“When I came to Henrietta’s house the other night, you were relieved. Why?”

“I was fucking terrified.”

“That too,” I admit, “But I saw the way you looked at me. You were worried about me. Why?”

“I wasn’t,” she denies, her hands flying to my chest. Her attempt to push me away is weak, half-hearted at best.

“When I was hiding in your wardrobe, you didn’t stab me with that knife. Why didn’t you?”

“I should’ve.” Her fingers curl into my shirt, her body swaying towards me.

“And standing here now, I can smell your desire, see the lust in your eyes. Why is that?”

“Because you’ve done something to my mind. You’ve… You’ve…”

“I can’t glamour you, Edie. It’s impossible.”

“Then you’ve poisoned me or something. Your bite, it makes me…”

“I won’t lie and say my saliva doesn’t heighten your desire. It does,” I reply, taking her hand and holding it within mine. My thumb tracks a slow circle over her skin, and for the briefest of moments, she presses her eyes shut before snapping them open and pulling her hand from my hold.

“See. You have poisoned me.”

“But, the desire has to be there in the first place,” I continue. “You’re attracted to me.”

“I was. Not anymore,” she lies.