Page 51 of The Vampire Kingpin

“I’m not going to run away. I mean, why would I? I need that twenty-five grand. I’m not going anywhere until you pay me. And you literally asked me to join your lair.” She crossed her arms and jutted her chin, a mix of defiance and vulnerability. “Or would I still be your prisoner?”

My mouth turned down. I really didn’t like being reminded that eventually, she’d leave, with me powerless to stop her, meaning she’d be out there, alone and unprotected.

But that wasn’t what she was asking.

“No, you wouldn’t be my prisoner.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And now? I can come and go as I please?”

I expelled a breath. “Yes. I’ll let Velma and the others know. But stick to this area. By now, the word’s probably out that you’re my…thrall. That makes you a target.”

I’d almost said she was my woman. She didn’t seem to catch it, though.

“Understood.” She rose on her toes to kiss me. “Thanks, Spider-Dude.”

Spider-Dude?

But I kinda liked that she had nicknames for me. Even Amina hadn’t dared.

I wrapped my free arm around her waist and pulled her closer, making her arch her back, something she did with the ease of a dancer. “I’d say watch out for the booby traps,” I said against her mouth, “but I don’t think that’s a problem for you.”

Her bubbly, yeah-I’m-a-badass giggle coaxed a smile from me.

I dropped a kiss on her still-curved lips. “And be good, alright? Don’t make me regret this.”

“I won’t. Scout’s honor.”

I snorted. “If you were a Girl Scout, then I’m a green-skinned elf.”

Her smile increased. “Well, I wanted to be a Scout.”

I shook my head at her and indicated the Cavern’s door. “Lemme show you the combination.”

14

Lark

Dressing-room sex might be my new favorite thing. Or should I say edgy, you-could-get-caught sex?

Not that the saleswoman would’ve let anyone walk in on us. She’d recognized Spider. I’d seen how she’d straightened when we entered the shop, Spider all smooth, hard-muscled power in a black leather jacket and blue silk shirt.

I’d also seen how the woman’s eyes had eaten him up as she hustled over, beaming with welcome. She’d barely glanced at me in her eagerness to greet him.

Not that I blamed her. The man did look fine.

Anyway. My legs were still wobbly.

Even Spider threatening to stop if I couldn’t keep quiet had been off-the-charts hot. There was something so sexy about him getting all alpha with me. And then in the end, he’d fucked me like he’d lost control…

Yeah, I’d done that to him.

Take that hungry-eyed saleslady.

I smothered a smile as I followed Spider through the Cavern. He opened the door to his bedroom and ushered me inside.

“Want this in the closet?” he asked, indicating the garment bag.

“I’ve got it.” I took it from him and hung it in the walk-in closet. The shoebox I stowed on a shelf above.