A spark of intrigue warmed Charley’s insides, and the minute she stepped out of her bedroom, the scent of roses enveloped her in a sweet, heady cloud.
“Holy roses,” she gasped, the sight nearly taking her breath away.
Hundreds. Maybe even thousands. She’d never seen so many roses in one place before—not even at a wedding. Deep reds, sunny yellows, fiery oranges—vases full of lush, gorgeous blooms lined the living room walls, set up on pedestals of different heights. The effect was incredible, like a vista of autumn hills in miniature.
It reminded her of the Catskills—the lookout point on Cole Diamante’s land where Dorian had bared his supernatural secrets.
Emotion tightened her throat, her eyes glazing with tears. It was crazy and over-the-top, but it was so damn beautiful it made her heart ache.
“Open the card!” Sasha bounced on her toes, handing Charley a cream-colored envelope. “The suspense is killing me!”
Grinning, Charley slid open the flap and removed the note.
Ms. D’Amico,
Now that I have your attention, I thought I might tempt you with another offer.
Option one: you refuse my gift, continue to ignore my calls, and thoroughly ruin my day.
Option two: you join me for dinner and a sleepover tomorrow night at my home in Tribeca. There’s one room in particular I’m dying to show you—a dark, secret place that’s perfect for my beautiful bad girl.
I promise it’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced—not even in your wildest fantasies…
So… what will it be, love?
Option one, or option two?
“Well? What did he say?” Sasha tried to grab the note, but Charley quickly stuffed it in her bra, her cheeks already hot from the naughty promises laced in every word.
“That is none of your business.” She swatted Sasha on the butt and laughed, then scooted back to her bedroom for a some much-needed privacy.
“I don’t know who sent those flowers,” Sasha called after her, “but if you don’t call him right now, I will!”
“Don’t eventhinkabout it!” Charley teased, but she didn’t need further prompting. The roses were the last straw. There was no way she could go another day—anotherminute—without calling that crazy, ostentatious, ridiculously hot vampire.
He answered on the first ring.
“So you’ve received my invitation,” he said, his voice low and sexy in her ear.
“Option two,” she said. “Always option two.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement, love. I’ll send Jameson for you at eight o’clock tomorrow evening. Wear something… comfortable.”
“Um. Should I be afraid?”
“No.” Dorian laughed, so rough and gravelly it made her wet. “You should be utterly terrified.”
Chapter Forty-Three
“Three conditions,” Dorian said, his firm tone leaving no room for discussion.
“Conditions?” Charley gulped as he led her down a corridor in the basement of his Tribeca penthouse—all part of the building he owned. She hadn’t even seen his actual apartment yet; the moment she’d stepped out of Jameson’s limo, Dorian whisked her away without so much as a kiss hello.
“Normally I require a signed agreement,” he continued, “but I’ll make an exception. Just don’t mention it to Aiden.”
“A signed agreement? Aiden?” Charley’s mouth went dry, a mix of curiosity and anxiety roiling in her stomach. She had no idea Dorian could be so…officialabout things.
Rough sex, dirty talk, bondage?Hellyes, she could get into all that—even with a vampire. Especiallyhervampire.
