A Blood Seduction (Vamp City #1)(17)

Those dark eyes stared into hers, sharp with annoyance, as his cool palm brushed her throat, lifting until she was forced to raise her chin. She was above average height, but he was taller by a good four or five inches.

"I have apologized for terrorizing you needlessly," he said coldly. He was so close, she could see tiny flecks of gold in his near-black irises, and the tiny lines radiating out from the corners of his eyes as he frowned at her. "But I am your master, and you will both address me and treat me as such."

She began to tremble. Not since she was a little girl had she felt this helpless. "Will you at least answer a question?"

He lifted a brow.

"Please? Master."

His mouth twitched as he stroked her, his fingers barely touching the sides of her neck, setting off ripples of dark pleasure. "That's better." Slowly, he began to dip his head toward the juncture of her neck and shoulder.

She grabbed his shoulders. "Don't." But her strength was useless against him. She tensed for the pinch of fangs, yet felt only his cool lips and the brush of his nose. "What are you doing?" she gasped.

"You smell of the same sweetness that I tasted in your blood. You tempt me." His lips moved up her neck, his hair brushing her jaw, soft as silk. His scent rose to engulf her senses. He smelled like rich, dark liqueur - almonds in moonlight - seductive, intoxicating, and very, very male.

She struggled not to be affected by the languorous warmth of his mouth and failed. Her body began to melt, her chest rising and falling with increasing frequency as the pleasure of his touch, of his scent, wove a lush net of desire around her senses.

How could she be attracted to this . . . this creature? But it was classic, wasn't it? A vampire's power of seduction.

"I'm not fully recovered," she reminded him, her voice breathless.

He kissed her jaw. "If you were, you would be beneath me, and we would be one."

His words shocked. A rush of damp heat followed as she imagined him on top of her, entering her. Her breath turned ragged. Without intending to, she reached for him, her fingers sliding through his soft, thick hair.

What's the matter with me? He's doing this to me!

"Tell me your name," she murmured against his temple.

"Master," he replied, his warm breath tickling her neck.

She snorted. "No, it's not."

He lifted his head, his eyes hot and amused. "It is to you." His steel-like arm curved around her waist, pulling her hips into contact with his . . . and with the very thick ridge that rose between them.

Quinn gasped. "Vampire . . ." Her body was on fire for him, but she didn't want this. The memory of those fangs between her legs rose. A shudder coursed through her, dousing the fire he'd fanned. She pulled her fingers from his hair, pushed at his shoulders. "My question."

"You've asked it." His mouth grazed her temple, making her shiver all over again.

"Your name was hardly my question. And you didn't answer it. I have to find my brother."

The vampire tensed. "Your brother?"

"The young man who was with me. Please . . . Master . . . please, help me find him."

His mouth moved, and she felt the flick of his damp tongue along the edge of her ear. She gasped, accidentally rocking forward, pressing her hips against that thick erection. The groan that escaped her throat sounded embarrassingly happy.

"Will you help me find Zack?"

"No." One long-fingered hand rose to cover her breast.

Her head tipped back, her eyes drifting shut at the wicked pleasure. This was wrong. So wrong. "Please. You must."

His lips returned to her jaw. "You are magnificent, tessoro. Built like the sleekest racehorse, all long limbs and lean strength." He released her, his fingers suddenly at her waist, unzipping her jeans. "There is nothing I must do. Except have you."

Quinn grasped his wrists. "You said I wasn't fully recovered." But, oh he smelled decadent. It would feel so good to let him finish, to feel his hands on her, his body over hers, inside hers. It was so tempting to push one of the wrists she held down, forcing his hand lower, between her legs. How could she be so hot for him? For him?

As he nuzzled her jaw, he nicked it, the sharp prick of pain making her rear back.

The vampire lifted his face, and the blood drained from her own. His eyes once more had those awful white centers, and his fangs were growing, thickening. Her desire fled on a rush of panic.

He went still, his eyes drifting closed, that look of intense pleasure returning to his face. "You're afraid of me."

Her breath trembled out. "I don't want this. You. Sex." Her eyes started to burn. "I don't - "

His finger lifted to her lips, silencing her panicked plea as his eyes returned to normal, his fangs retracting. "Then we will not."

She stared at him. Just like that?

To her amazement, he stepped back, his expression unreadable. "Eat, cara. Rest." He turned and started for the door.

Quinn launched herself after him. "Wait! At least tell me where Zack is. Tell me if he's still alive."

The vampire turned back. She half expected to feel the sting of his anger, but the look on his face remained closed and enigmatic. "I know not, nor does it matter. The life you led before is over, piccola. You belong to me now. And your brother is no longer your concern. The sooner you accept that, the longer you will last."