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She didn’t bother turning on the lights, even for the benefit of the human she forced up here with her. My eyes were getting used to the dark with the help of the moonlight shining through the windows, but it was hard to focus on anything other than her reddening eyes as they started to glow in the dark.

My wet clothes were sticking to me uncomfortably, and no matter how warm the palace was, I still began to chill.

“Call a feeder then,” I said and leaned against the wall closest to the door. I didn’t want to give into whatever she was playing. I could see something brewing behind her eyes, but I hoped to leave and get my weapons before she could enact her plans.

There was a line that I didn’t want to cross again, no matter how tempting it was…but the princess seemed to make the decision all by herself. Since we got into her room, she had been looking at me with an expression akin to that of a hungry wolf.

“I want you,” she said and motioned for me to move between her legs, much like the night at the club.

I could say no, I should say no.But then it might make it harder to be alone with her again. At least that was what I told myself.

“You’re wet,” I said instead. “Go change.”

“Vampires can’t catch colds,” she said with a tilt of her lips. But when she saw I wasn’t willing to move, her smile turned into a pout. “Fine. But you have to take them off.”

I let out a sigh and pushed off the wall. This got a reaction from her.

“Oh?” she asked, tilting her head. “So the little mouse decided she wants to play?”

“Vesper wants to go back to bed,” I said as I reached her. “Arms up.”

She sent me a smirk before complying, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Isn’t it degrading?” she asked as I pushed the wet dress up her thighs and over her hips. It was a bit difficult to get it all while she was sitting on it, but the fabric was thin enough that I was able to pull it out from under her.

I tried to ignore how it felt to be so close to her naked body. How it felt for her breath to waft across my skin.

With my weapons, it would have been easy to take advantage of our position. She wouldn’t even see it coming.

“Everything I have done here is degrading,” I admitted, pulling the rest off her. She put her arms on the bed and leaned back, pushing her chest out.An invitation.

“Just be honest—since that night, you’ve been wanting to taste me again, haven’t you?”

I rolled my eyes and pushed her legs apart so I could step between them. Her bed was high enough that her mouth was right at my neck. She inched closer to me, brushing her body against mine.

She was so soft. I could remember the feel of her skin, and even through my clothes, I knew that as soon as I put my hands on her, I would lose myself again.

“I haven’t even thought of it,” I lied. I had thought about it way too many times. “You wanted to make me pay for what I did, I wanted to prove you wrong. I won, and I’m not the type to gloat.”

I tilted my neck to the side. “Now eat so I can be on my way.”

Her hands shot out to grab my wrists and bring them to her body.

“Aw, come on,” she purred. “You don’t want to play? Isn’t this what you meant?”

She placed my hands at her waist, slowly moving them up her wet skin until they were caressing her breasts. They fit perfectly in my hands, and her nipples were calling my attention, just begging for me to put my mouth on them.

Don’t react. Don’t react.I had to say it in my head for fear my body would give me away. It was already heating. My stomach was twisting with need.

How on earth will I be able to finish my job if she acts like this?

“I didn’t want to play,” I said through gritted teeth. “I wanted to get you out of that fucking fountain.”

“And you did,” she breathed. “How about we call it a reward?”

I swallowed thickly, unable to deny the heat coursing through my veins.

I hated how I was reacting. Hated that I couldn’t just end it all right then and there. Hated that my mouth watered at her offer.