Page 11 of The Vampire's Offer

"I'm not usually like this," I admitted between bites. "Tonight was... completely out of character."

"Was it?" He tilted his head. "Or was it simply a part of yourself you've been suppressing? The ambitious professional is one facet of who you are, but not the totality."

I considered that as I chewed. He wasn't wrong. The self-help book had taught me how to project confidence and success, but it hadn't addressed what to do with the parts of myself that didn't fit that image. The parts that wanted to be desired, used, claimed.

"So this date you mentioned," I said, changing the subject. "What did you have in mind?"

"Dinner, perhaps. Conversation. Getting to know each other outside of..." he gestured vaguely at the rumpled bed, "all of this. I find you fascinating, William, and not just because of your body."

My cheeks heated at the compliment. "When?"

"Tomorrow night? I know a restaurant that caters to our kind. Discreet, excellent food, and they stay open late for vampire clientele."

"I have to work tomorrow," I said automatically, then caught myself. The old me would have used work as an excuse to avoid anything that might complicate my carefully structured life. "But I can call in. What time?"

His smile widened. "Nine o'clock. I'll send a car for you."

We sat in comfortable silence while I finished eating. When I drained the last of the iced tea, Raoul stood and offered me his hand.

"Come. Let me clean you up before you go."

He led me to an adjoining bathroom I hadn't noticed, all marble and chrome with a massive walk-in shower. He turned on the water, adjusting the temperature before guiding me under the spray. The hot water felt incredible on my sore muscles, washing away the evidence of the night's activities.

Raoul joined me, his cool hands gentle as he soaped my body, paying careful attention to my tender ass. It should have been awkward, this intimate caretaking, but it felt natural.Right.

"I meant what I said earlier," he murmured as he washed my hair. "You're mine now, William. I don't share what's mine beyond these walls."

Something possessive in his tone should have set off alarm bells. Instead, it sent a warm flush through my chest. "And what does that mean exactly?"

"It means I expect exclusivity. When you're not here, being shared for my amusement, you belong only to me." His fingers massaged my scalp, relaxing me despite the intensity of his words. "Can you accept that?"

I should have said no. Should have maintained boundaries, kept this professional. But standing there under the hot water, his cool body pressed against my back, I couldn't find it in myself to refuse him.

"Yes," I whispered. "I can accept that."

"Good." He pressed a kiss to my shoulder. "Now let's get you dressed and home. You need proper rest before work tomorrow."

Twenty minutes later, I was clean, dressed, and standing outside the bathhouse next to my car. Raoul had walked me to the entrance, pressed one final kiss to my lips, and reminded me about our date tomorrow night.

The drive home passed in a blur. My mind kept replaying the night's events, hardly believing any of it had actually happened. I'd gone to meet a potential client and ended up getting fuckedby three strangers while a vampire watched, then claimed by that same vampire.

My phone buzzed with a text. Unknown number, but I knew who it was.

Sleep well, William. Dream of tomorrow night. -R

I smiled despite my exhaustion and saved his contact information before typing back a response.

Me: I will. Thank you for tonight.

His reply came immediately.

Raoul: The pleasure was entirely mine. Rest now. You'll need your strength.

I fell into bed as soon as I got home, too tired to do more than strip off my clothes. My body ached in the best way, a pleasant soreness that reminded me of every moment. As I drifted off, I wondered what the hell I'd gotten myself into.

And realized I couldn't wait to find out.