A Blood Seduction (Vamp City #1)(50)

She stared at him. "You didn't hear anything I said. I'm in no frame of mind for sex play right now. If that's the price, then I don't want the shower."

"Yes you do," he said gently. Lifting a hand, he cupped her cheek. "I wish only to help you into the shower. Then, perhaps, to watch you."

Despite herself, she shivered again and this time she knew the source as damp heat pooled between her thighs. She remembered the words he'd used when he was talking about Susie. Cajole. Seduce. Cristoff's snake was a master manipulator.

His thumb stroked her lips ever so lightly. "I will not take you against your will, cara. That I will never do."

"Why not? You said yourself you don't usually let your conscience bother you."

His gaze turned thoughtful. "You are special, Quinn Lennox. Necessary to our survival if your power proves true. And you cannot be enthralled or made to forget. But . . ."

"But what?"

He turned her, pulling her back against him, sliding his arms around her waist. "I like you." His warm breath brushed her temple. "And I want you. I want the passion I've glimpsed within you, but I will never get it by force."

"Cajole and seduce," she murmured, her breath unsteady at the feel of his arms around her and of the thick ridge at the small of her back.

"Yes. Perhaps. But never force." He tilted her head and pressed his mouth against her neck, nuzzling her. Kissing her. But she felt no fangs. "As you've said, today is not the day for such intimacies, not after what you've seen. But I will watch." His hand slid down over her abdomen and lower, his touch tense with desire, his fingers just brushing her pubic bone. "And I will want."

"Watching that orgy . . . aroused you."

"I may no longer be human, but I am still male. Decide quickly, cara. I do not have all day."

Everything inside her rebelled at the coercion. But he was giving her a choice, and he didn't have to. It was rather remarkable that he was. And, heaven help her, she was nearly shaking from the desire to step beneath the spray of that shower. So what if he watched?

"All right."

Wasting no time, he lifted her shirt over her head, then reached for her pants. She tried to brush his hands away, but he ignored her.

"I can do it, Vampire."

"As can I." He pushed her pants down over her hips.

"My boots."

"Sit."

She did, finding the bench rough beneath her bare thighs.

The vampire knelt on the wooden floor of the shed and pulled off her boots and socks, then her pants, tossing them into the corner with her shirt. Then his hands went around her, and he unfastened her bra, tossing it onto the pile, too.

When he reached for her hips, and her panties, she grabbed his wrists. "Enough. I can do the rest."

The look he gave her was rich with heat and a gleam she didn't entirely understand . . . or trust. But he capitulated, turned to sit beside her, and pulled off his own boots.

Quinn remained where she was, uncertain how she wanted to proceed. "Are you going to watch me from over the door?"

"I am going to join you." He stood and pulled off his shirt, revealing far too fine a six pack. "I am going to wash you."

Quinn lunged to her feet, crossing her arms over her bare br**sts. "You said watch. Watch. Not wash."

"Easy, cara. I will not remove my pants. I said I will not take you today, and I will not."

She eyed him dourly. "You are pretty free and easy with the lies, Vampire. Your word doesn't mean a lot, does it?"

His eyes flashed and she wondered if she'd gone too far this time. But he only shrugged. "My tongue is glib, I'm afraid." He reached for her, cupping her face in both hands, sliding cool fingers into her hair. "Have I ever hurt you?" His gaze grew infinitely serious, surprisingly soft. "Have I?"

"No."

"Trust my actions, then, if not my words. Trust your instincts. I tell you I want more than to watch you. I want to touch you, to pleasure you. Only that. Do your instincts believe me?"

"You're hard as a rock. I know you want sex."

"I am ready for sex. Of course I am. I'm staring at a very beautiful, very naked woman. But I do not want that from you today."

"You won't take anything for yourself?" she said dubiously.

"And why do you think that touching you is not for me, also?" At her frown, he leaned in, brushing his lips against her temple, her cheek. "I love the way you respond to my touch. I feel your pleasure rise every time I touch you, even in the simplest way. You are sensual, magnificent. I am not usually this sensitive to another's pleasure, but your pleasure feeds my own." He pulled back, lifted her chin. "Will you trust me? In this?"

It wasn't like she had much of a choice, but the truth was she really didn't believe he'd hurt her or take her against her will. That didn't mean he wouldn't still try to seduce her, but she honestly didn't think he'd push her if she said no. And the thought of his hands on her . . . just that . . . set up a deep, sensual longing. "Yes. I will trust you in this."

His smile was swift and delighted. Without warning, he kissed her, his lips cool against her own yet infinitely warm. His lips moved softly, a first exploration, a first kiss despite the fact she stood naked before him, having just given him permission to touch her wherever he pleased. His mouth moved over hers, his tongue sliding lightly along the crease of her mouth until she opened for him, giving him access. And then he was inside, his tongue sliding against hers, stealing her breath, her thoughts, the last of her inhibitions.