Page 14 of The Vampire Kingpin

“Well?” asked Spider.

I shook my head. “Don’t text him,” I said around the lump obstructing my throat.

It’s okay. You don’t need that asshole. You don’t need anyone.

Spider swore under his breath. He released my arms to cup my cheeks.

“That fool doesn’t know what a gift you are. If you were mine, I’d never risk you by sending you up against someone like me.”

My mouth twisted. Somehow, Spider’s sympathy made me feel worse. Maybe because it drove home how completely alone I was.

“What are these terms of yours?” I asked gruffly.

He released my face and undid the first three buttons of my dress. Opening the collar, he stroked a finger down the hollow of my throat.

My pulse hammered, and his focus went to it.

“You’ll belong to me. No other men. I’m the only one who drinks from you. The only one who fucks you.”

I tried not to squirm, but it was the way he said it—dark-edged, low and commanding. I was still upset, but maybe becoming Spider’s thrall would have…benefits.

He skimmed a finger beneath my bra, teasing my nipple. “I’ll treat you good, I promise.”

He tweaked my nipple, and a buzzing filled my brain.

I knew I should be negotiating, but my palms raised of their own accord. I ran them up the rounded muscles of his shoulders, learning his feel. Lower down, I pressed against his erection, blindly seeking relief from the aching need.

With a muttered curse, he dragged up my skirt. A big hand clamped on my bare ass, holding me in place so he could grind himself against my mound, the only thing between us his leather jeans and my flimsy thong.

A twist of his hips, and sparks went off all over my body. I swallowed a groan and twined a leg around his upper leg, trying to get even closer.

“Fuck.” Sharp teeth closed on my earlobe. “You want this, dammit. Just say yes and I’ll bend you over that armchair right now.”

A wicked heat shot straight to my sex. My breasts felt full…achy. I squeezed my thighs together, picturing him bending me over…taking control of me.

“You’ll belong to me. No other men. I’m the only one who drinks from you. The only one who fucks you.”

I screwed my eyes shut, lightheaded with lust.

Yes. Sweet Luna, yes…

I opened my mouth to agree—anything if he’d take the ache away.

Until it hit me that he was manipulating me, using my body to get me to agree before we set terms.

The man was clever—everyone said so. Maybe this was his way of getting around making an agreement with me.

A wave of fury made me hiss. I pushed on his shoulders, arching away from him. So. Damn. Angry.

At myself, for being so weak.

At Grimclaw and Spider for bartering me like I was a package, not a person.

I was even angry at my parents for taking too many damn risks until they got caught and left me alone in the world.

“But I don’t want it.”

He growled and slapped my ass. “That’s a lie.”