“Since the moment you came in,” I say honestly, taking the first sip, and then add, “I know you felt it.”
“I did.” She nods, unable to believe it. “I thought I was just nervous.”
“Why were you nervous?”
“Because it’s my first time in here.”
“Nothing changes, trust me.” I place the glass on the table. “It’s always the same: same vampires, same instrumental music, same food. The only thing that changes is the night’s theme, but it’s always dark, so you might not even recognize it.”
“So you’re a frequent guest, huh?” she asks suspiciously, as if it’s a crime.
“I am,” I confess. I know being a part of the society is a privilege, to say the least.
All the vampires want to attend a ball like this, not to say to be a permanent member like me. But I’ve never wanted to be here. It was decided without my will. My grandfather founded it and ruled until he died; then my father. After him, it was my uncle, and now it’s my brother. It wasn’t my choice, and I wouldn’t want to be the head of it if Darius died one day. I’ve already told him this. I said he must have an heir to whom he’ll hand over the board.
That reminded me of the task Darius gave me: to find Raphael’s sister. I know my brother can’t have an heir until we kill that bastard. I know I have to finish what I’ve started, but I can’t help myself right now. The attraction I feel toward this woman is stronger than I am.
“What’s wrong?” she asks after a pause, exploring my face, and I realized that I have been staring into the distance.
“I just remembered that I promised to do something to someone,” I say, without getting into details.
“Your wife?”
I chuckle. “Do you think if I were married, I would bring you here?”
She looks at me for a couple of moments before saying: “I don’t know. It’s all new to me. This whole thing...society, masquerade balls, relationships.”
I take a deep breath. Even though she is five feet away from me, I can feel her smell, which burns my lungs. It makes my head spin. It makes me want to take her, rip her dress off, and fuck her until she sees stars; she’s going to scream my name, over and over, while I’ll be touching her, teasing her, claiming her.
I need to claim her. She’s mine. I can’t even think somebody else might take this woman away from me.
She finally takes a glass and starts drinking. I watch as her throat moves while taking sips. I want her to take my dick deep in that beautiful mouth.
“Fuck,” I groan, realizing that I can’t think straight. Everything—my brother, Raphael, his sister—has lost all meaning since the moment this woman walked into my life.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, pulling the glass away, obviously surprised by my reaction. I didn’t even notice that I was swearing out loud.
A few drops of blood remain in the corners of her lips. She starts licking them with her tongue, but I say, “Don’t.”
She stops, freezing, looking at me with frustration.
I can’t control myself anymore. I never believed in mates; I always thought it was a vampire legend. They told me that your whole body starts burning, and only being close to your mate can erase that pain and turn it into pleasure.
They never told me that you also lose your fucking mind.
I lean closer and whisper, “I want to do it.”
And then I press my lips to hers, licking those drops of blood, devouring her mouth.
CHAPTER SEVEN
BEATRICE
He grabs the back of my neck and presses his lips to mine in another passionate kiss.
My whole body tenses in his arms, aching for more of his touches and kisses.
With his other hand, he grabs me by the waist and pulls me closer to him.