Page 21 of The Vampire’s Prey

He raises his hands in defense, his chuckling dying down. “Or I could just help you and get this done with faster.” His eyes gleam as he lowers his face to mine. “What do you say? Do you want this torment over with?”

My brain screams no, but my head nods. I guess my head wins. In less than a blink, Adrian scoops me up and tosses me over his shoulder. I open my mouth to scream, but his strong hand smacks my butt hard, stunning me into silence.

“I can feel your large intake of breath, little one. I would rather you not scream at this moment. When we’re downstairs, you can scream all you want.”

His voice rumbles through me. Dear God. This is even worse than just standing next to him. His deep, rich voice flows into my body, turning me to mush. Biting my lower lip, I let myself relax onto his arm. I try to ignore the slight discomfort of having his broad shoulder slicing through my midsection. Breathe. In and out. In and—

“Hey!”

I push up on his back and arch up, trying to get close to his face.

“What are you doing?”

His fingers pause at my waistband. “I’m finishing removing your clothing. Now, be a good girl and just relax.”

Relax. He thinks I can just relax when he’s talking all sexy? I screw my eyes closed, dreading this moment. I will be completely exposed. This isn’t right. This isn’t… Another smack lands on my butt, startling a small shriek. “What? What—”

“Your breathing changed. I can tell you are getting into your head. Stop. Just give up and let me take care of you. You are safe with me. I promise.”

When he says, “I promise,” my entire body collapses onto him. This may be a lie. He may be taking me downstairs to kill me. But at this moment, something in me clicks. I believe him. I don’t know why. This is so crazy. I have no reason to trust this man...no...this monster. Get it together, Evie. You can’t just—this smack is so much harder. Tears prick the back of my eyelids.

“Enough. I do not know what has you in such a tizzy. I promise you, it is not as bad you think. Now will you just. Let. Go?”

Each word is punctuated by a stinging zap to my ass. Warmth spreads through my body, settling low into my core.

“I’m trying!” I hate that slight tremor in my voice. It tells him everything. Tells him he’s won. Why in hell can’t I just stay in control damnit? Without warning, his hands rest once again at the band of my underwear, but they only stay for a split second. Before I can plead again, he hooks his fingers under the band and pulls them down and off of me.

I squeeze my thighs together as much as I can, but even that’s not enough. I can feel the draft against my nether regions. Dear God. I’m now fully exposed. I bury my head into Adrian’s low back, trying desperately to keep my shame from alerting him.

I don’t know much about vampires, but I do know that they pick up on the most subtle things.

“There, there now. My good girl. Now, this punishment is almost complete.”

I arch back up. “Wait. It’s not done yet? You said be naked! I’m naked! I’m as naked as you can get me!” His chuckle brings more flip-flops to my stomach and more moisture gathering at my thighs. Great, something else to be ashamed of.

“I believe there was made mention of repenting in public for what you have done in private?”

Heat drains from my face. Oh. Oh no. He doesn’t mean to expose me to whoever’s down there, does he? I can’t. Oh God, I can’t. My brain races, sending me into a panic. In the midst, his hand comes up to rest at the back of my thighs. Ironically, it’s his touch that calms me down and clears my mind. What type of magic is this? Why was I never informed of it?

All I can focus on is his hands and the delicious spiral of tension swirling in my stomach. His thumb moves in lazy circles across my skin. But I know better. Everything he does has a purpose.

“There now. Just breathe for me like a good girl. This will all be over soon.”

His voice is low and hypnotic. But not pushy. This is something else. Something different. He’s not actually trying to control me. Could it be that he’s actually a good guy? No. He’s a monster. He will always be a monster. But monster or not, he can keep rubbing me all day, and I won’t complain.

Sighing, I rest on him, giving him my weight. Based on his purr of contentment, I must be finally doing the right thing.

“That is it, little one. Just like that. I am so proud of you for finally trusting me.”

I want to argue. I want to tell him to go back to hell. But I can’t. God help me, I can’t. His fingers are just as hypnotic as his pull. I can feel myself relaxing, hoping, praying. I’ve been so damn lonely, and his touch awakens all the needs that I deny myself. It feels nice to let someone else take the burden for once.

My thoughts feel thick and hazy as I find myself letting myself go further and further. However, his thumb slides up my lower lips and a jolt of need so strong that I almost buck into his hand flows through me.

“Dear God, you are so wet for me.”

“I… um.”

“Shhh. Just enjoy this for a moment. Not everything has to be a battle. Relax, dear one. You have earned it.”