Page 26 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

Paige

Now this is the life.

I lay back comfortably against the curved rim of the bathtub. It’s designed to hug my neck and shoulders perfectly, so I can relax as I sink into the steamy, soapy water. Rose petals dot the top of the pink bubble bath. A little extra treat I got for myself when I was at the mall.

The entire bathroom is filled with flickering candles. Since I’ve been living at the mansion, I’ve found I prefer softer, more sensual light. I’ve barely turned on the electric lights in my room, especially because it’s so bright during the day when the picture window is open.

I reach over and take my wine glass from the small table beside the tub. I swirl it once, then take a generous sip, allowing myself to enjoy its rich aroma and its bright, cherry notes.

I can’t remember the last time I was this relaxed.

This comfortable. It’s possible I’ve never been.

When I was a child, my life was chaotic at best. My mother did what she could, but she was never able to provide for us the way she wanted to, or create the stability we needed.

As an adult, I always felt like I was behind.

Behind on rent, behind on school, stagnating in a relationship I had outgrown.

But now…I feel like I can breathe. Like I can take a little space to be with myself.

It’s not always easy. From time to time, difficult thoughts come up, about my mother, worries about Miles. It’s as though I was always running so quickly I never had a chance to think about those things.

And then in other moments, I feel totally blissful. I’ve never had so much time to myself before. Time to read, time to dance, time to just linger in the courtyard, smelling the roses. I didn’t realize how much life I was missing.

I take another sip of my wine. How am I going to go back to my normal, day-to-day life after this?

I certainly can’t stay in the mansion forever.

The original deal was three months, that’s what they’d said on the phone.

I don’t know if that’s because they like to cycle the donors out, or what. Maybe I should ask Eloise.

I don’t want to dwell on it too much. I should be enjoying this time, not ruining it by worrying about what’s going to happen in the future.

My thoughts drift back to Crimson. I can still taste her on my tongue. God, she was amazing. So sexy, so confident, so dominant…seated on her throne while I knelt before her, while I served her…

And everyone watching us…I didn’t think I would find that so hot! It was powerful like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.

But that little voice rings in my head…

How long could this last? I mean, she’s some super-powerful, rich vampire king. I know I’m not the first. She must do this all the time. What happens, if she gets bored of me? When she gets bored? After three months, will she forget all about this?

And why does that even bother me?

I shake my head. I’m doing it again. Spiraling.

I take another sip of wine. The water’s getting a little cool. I lean out over the rim of the tub, looking through the open bathroom door. It’s gotten pretty dark. I’m sure the sun’s almost down, if it isn’t already. I should start getting ready.

I slip out of the tub and dry myself off with a fluffy pink towel. Then I open my wardrobe. It’s brimming with options now. I can barely decide what to wear!

Finally, I settle on a silky, rose pink dress and matching shoes. It’s strapless, showing off my neck and collarbone. I find two shimmering, teardrop earrings to do with it, and I finish it all off with a matching lipstick shade.

I’m about to go find Chelsie and Sean when there’s a knock at my door.

Eloise opens it, giving me her characteristic warm smile. I’m surprised to see two red bite marks on her neck. I don’t remember seeing them before.

She catches me looking, and blushes.

“It…just sort of happened,” she says, wrinkling her nose. “I wasn’t sure whether to hide them.”

“No need to worry,” I reply, pointing at the marks on my own neck. “You’re in good company.”

She chuckles. “I just came up to let you know that Crimson was asking for you.”

My stomach flutters at the thought of her wanting to see me again. “Oh, thank you for letting me know.”

“Yes, she asked if you could come see her in her office, when you’re ready.”

“Oh.” I frown. “Her office?”

“That’s what she said,” Eloise replies. “It’s just on the main floor, down past the kitchen, the last door on the left.”

“Right,” I say, trying not to get nervous. “Thanks, Eloise!”

She smiles at me again, and then departs.

I give myself another one-over in the mirror, trying not to overthink anything. Then I rise from my seat to go downstairs to Crimson’s office. I shouldn’t keep her waiting.

As I move through the shadowy halls of the mansion, worries start to bubble up.

She wants to see me in her office? Why?

Maybe she just…wants to have sex on the desk again?

It couldn’t be a bad thing, right?

What if…what if I was really bad at oral sex, and now she’s firing me?

No, no, I’m sure that’s not it.

But why would she ask Eloise to come get me, if there wasn’t a particular reason?

Ok, Paige, you’re spiraling again! Just be cool.

Before I know it, I’m at her office door.

Her name plate shines in hard, cold brass just above my eye level.

I smooth down my hair, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

I’m sure everything’s fine. I’m sure there’s a perfectly normal reason for her to have asked me to her office, instead of the lounge, or her crypt.

I’m about to knock, but then the door swings open, and she’s standing right there.

“Oh!” I gasp, lowering my fist. “I…how did you know I was here?”

“I can hear your heart beating,” she replies, tilting her head to the side.

This is new information. “You can…hear my heart? Through the door?”

“Of course.” She frowns. “You didn’t know that? I have vampiric senses.”

I blink, trying to process what this means. It feels so intimate, knowing that she can hear me that way. It makes me extremely self-conscious. I’m suddenly very aware of how sweaty my palms are, how my heart races in her presence.

“Come in,” she says, gesturing that I should enter.

I follow her into the office. The sink is no longer lying on the floor. I assume it’s back in its proper location in the adjacent bathroom, although the door is closed. Everything else looks the same, except…except there’s a shiny, black box on the desk.

“I have something for you,” Crimson tells me, running a hand through her short hair.

I gaze curiously at the box. What could it possibly be? Lingerie, probably. That’s sweet of her. Blake never used to get me anything.

Not that she’s like…my girlfriend or anything. It’s silly to even compare her to him.

“Oh, you…you didn’t have to do that, my king,” I say. “You’ve done so much for me already.”

“Nonsense,” she replies smoothly. “You’ve served me well, and you deserve to be rewarded.”

That’s how she sees me. Someone to serve her. And I suppose I am. I can’t deny that the thought thrills me, makes me wet and ready for her.

But there’s also a little twinge in my stomach. Is that all I am to her?

“Would you like to see what it is?” she asks, gesturing toward the box.

I nod. I bought lots of lingerie at the mall, but I’m excited that she got me some. It’ll be so special to wear something she bought for me specifically. I go over to the desk, and I open the box.

My heart skips a beat.

It’s not lingerie.

It’s a diamond-studded, leather collar.

Electricity heats my skin as I stare at it.

I’m overwhelmed by the idea of wearing such a thing.

Such a clear and unquestionable symbol of my submission, of my devotion.

The thought of her claiming me this way makes me weak in the knees, brings me pleasure that I can’t even begin to process right now.

I try to speak, but nothing comes out. It’s like my brain has short-circuited.

“Do you like it?” Crimson asks.

Tongue-tied, I nod.

She raises an eyebrow. “Would you…like me to put it on you?”

I nod again.

Her lips curve into a smirk. She takes the supple leather in her fingers and I push my hair back so that she can put it around my neck.

It’s soft, and perfectly snug against my throat. The sensation is incredibly satisfying. I run my fingers over the hard, tapered diamonds.

“It’s not…they’re not real…”

“Of course they’re real,” Crimson replies. She fixes her cool gaze on me. “Only the best for you.”

I break her gaze, biting my lip.

Crimson says sharply, “What’s the matter.”

“It’s nothing, sir,” I whisper, feeling silly.

“It’s not nothing,” she replies, her voice hardening. “Paige, what’s the matter?”

I blink back up at her. It’s the first time she’s ever used my name. It sounds strange, but wonderful, on her tongue.

“My king, please, just forget it,” I tell her, giving her a tight smile. “I don’t want to ruin this moment. This was so thoughtful, I appreciate it. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

She frowns. “But there’s something bothering you.”

The moment stretches out between us, undeniable now. I have to say something, even though it seems so ridiculous to be bearing myself to her like this.

“I know that you…must have so many others,” I stutter, unsure of how to phrase this.

But I don’t need to clarify further. Realization dawns on her face.

“Ah,” she says, running her thumb along the line of her jaw.

I wait for her to laugh at me, to tell me that I’m being insecure, to make excuses, to lie…

But instead, she gives me that look again. That look like she’s seeing me for the first time, all over again. Like she’ll never look away.

“I can’t deny I’ve had others,” she says. “But I don’t claim just anyone. I don’t give collars to just anyone…”

She pulls me in, with the strength of her gaze, with the tone of her devotion.

“You’re precious to me, Paige,” she says. “And you’re mine. For as long as you want to be.”

My chest aches when she says I’m precious. Nobody’s ever said that to me before, and I wasn’t expecting it. “I don’t have to leave after three months?”

“You may stay however long you wish.”

I swallow, trying to let myself be reassured by her words. I’m glad she can hear my heart, because I want her to know how her words steal my breath away.

But a small, nagging part of me still feels unsure. “And what does it mean…that I’m yours?”

“It means I’ll protect you, and you will serve me,” she says, matter-of-fact. “A mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“A mutually beneficial arrangement,” I echo.

“Precisely.”

Although I’m glad to have clarified things, and there’s a warmth in my chest when she tells me I’m precious to her, I can’t help but feel that there’s a…a wall up inside of her. Something that she’s guarding herself against. But I don’t understand what.

And I know that it’s early. We’ve only known each other a few months. But our connection feels incredibly intense already. And I’m burning with curiosity about her.

And burning…in other ways, too.

“I’m…I’m yours,” I confirm to her. “And I promise to serve you, my king.”

“Good,” she replies, with a devilish expression. “Because we have a long night ahead of us. If you’ll help me with something, that is.”

I tilt my head, curious. “What is it, sir?”

And she tells me.