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From the moment I’d laid eyes on the daring female, I’d found her fascinating. Sparring with her, matching wits, fighting at her side, I realized I’d not enjoyed the company of another this much in decades. Though half the time, I considered her infuriating.

Tonight, I’d noted the interest on Idris’s face. Worried he’d take advantage, I’d come here, driven by an urge to protect her from any who dared to knock on her door. With her beneath me, that urge had become a hunger. A hunger that drove me to consume.

“One night,” I answered. Yes, I was a noble leader on a quest of immense importance. But I was still a man. Surely, I could allow myself this singular indulgence.

“Just one.” She held up a finger. “Then after, we pretend this never happened.”

I smirked. “If you think you can give me up after one night.”

“Silly vampire,” she scoffed. “I’ll have forgotten your name by morning.”

“Perhaps, but the whole castle will remember the way you screamed it,” I countered, my blood-drunk brain clearing by the minute, my focus turning to something I desired more.

“Show me,” she said, dragging her slim hands over hertempting breasts before her lusty expression turned serious. “Tonight, I don’t want to think. Just feel.”

“Arms above your head,” I commanded.

She narrowed her eyes at me, a flash of defiance in her lusty gaze.

“Now,” I growled, and slowly, she complied.

“Good, now don’t move them.”

“Or what?” She nibbled her plump lip.

“I’ll punish you.”

Her indrawn breath indicated she didn’t hate the idea.

The women I’d laid with in the past were elegant, simpering creatures. Quite often, they wanted something from me, and I from them. Their every gesture was controlled, contrived.

My little thief was none of these things. She was like a wildling I’d captured and now attempted to tame. Which of us would be the first to submit was yet to be seen.

I claimed her mouth, kissing her until we were both breathless, then trailed a path to her jaw. Tasting, teasing, I followed the graceful column of her neck and down once more to her exposed breast. There, I tormented the stiffened peak until she writhed in my grasp.

I glided my hand down her arm, taking the strap of her gown with me, and raking the material down to her waist.

“Lift,” I ordered, dragging her garment down her hips. I tossed the fabric onto the floor, withdrawing so I could admire my handiwork.

The sorceress was a sensual goddess. Full breasts with dusky nipples, a narrow waist, and rounded hips. Her legs were toned from days spent riding. Thin scars marked parts of her body. Injuries, no doubt she’d received while pursuing a life of crime. Again, I was reminded this wasn’t a polished socialite who lay before me.

“Custodis.” She squirmed beneath my predatory gaze, reaching for me.

“Arms,” I snapped, and she uttered a groan of frustration. Cock straining the front of my thin pants, I lay beside her. Starting at her shoulder, I painted her flesh with my fingertips, stopping when I grazed a scar in her ribs.

“Where did you get this?”

“Broken window.”

One she’d likely smashed and used for her escape. “And this?” I grazed another.

She frowned, growling, “When you claimed I’d scream your name, I didn’t think you meant in frustration.”

I fought a grin. “You cannot blame a connoisseur for pausing to admire a masterpiece.”

At my honeyed words, she rolled her eyes. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a sure thing. No need for wooing.”

“Very well.” It’s all the warning I gave before grabbing her and rolling her on top of me.