Page 18 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

A groan rumbled in my chest. I slid the tip of my tongue past her small teeth and stroked hers. The sensation going through me was sheer fire. Not even feeding gave me such deep pleasure or energy.

She was sweet and silky as I explored her mouth with lazy strokes, careful not to frighten her. Not everyone would get close to a vampire’s teeth, especially when the vampire was excited, and my fangs threatened to come out. Not to mention the energy bursting within me.

The bond didn’t hum or purr as usually happened when I kissed her. It remained muted with a forced tension. Maybe the change in me had been too quick, and the bond was lagging behind to adapt.

She laced her fingers through my hair. I deepened the kiss, taking my time exploring her velvety mouth while caressing her back and firm bottom.

I untied the sash of her dressing gown and tugged it down her shoulders. The fabric pooled at her feet with a soft swish. She drew in a breath when I pulled her closer, needing to feel her body pressed against mine.

Silk and her soft skin—everything I’d dreamt of.

I ran my hand over her curves, from her hip to her waist until I cupped her breast. The fabric of her nightgown was no barrier against my eager fingers. I rubbed her nipple to a hard peak, watching her face.

Her response was to sag against me and grip my shoulders hard. The sensation of her fingernails scratching my skin made me dizzy.

When she sighed in pleasure, I pulled down her nightgown and admired her beauty. Creamy skin, pink nipples, and golden hair falling to her waist. I closed my mouth around her breast and sucked gently for one wonderful second.

She slipped away from me, her lips red and swollen from the kiss. My kiss.

“This is wonderful, but something is bothering me.” She stared at me seriously. “Tell me the truth. How did you do it? Was it Darius? He’s always said he couldn’t erase your fears, that he couldn’t heal the mind.”

“It wasn’t Darius.” I stared at her beautiful face. A face I would touch and kiss without fear from now on.

“Something is different in our bond.” She stepped back.

I sighed when she covered herself, pulling the nightgown up.

“Alex?” She pinned her hair into a bun.

I opened and closed my hands. “It was Cara.”

“What?” She clenched her fists.

“I understand it sounds terrible, but actually, I’m all right.” I tried to sound reassuring, but it didn’t work, if her concerned expression was any indication.

“How could you trust Cara?” She quickly removed her nightgown and snatched a simple gown from the wardrobe.

“But nothing happened. She mentioned a price to pay, but all my limbs are where they should be. I was afraid something had happened to you, but that’s not the case either, thank goodness.”

She donned the gown, dressing so quickly that I barely caught a glimpse of her naked body. When she finished buttoning her shirt and tying her skirt, not an inch of her beautiful skin was visible.

“You’re overreacting. I was—where are you going?” I chased her.

She stormed out of the bedroom, fastening the belt of her skirt. “I want to understand what you’ve done.”

Her skirt fluttered around her legs when she took one of the shortcuts connecting the west wing to the north wing.

She knocked on Darius’s door. “Darius!”

“He’s probably asleep.” I watched fascinated as a wayward golden curl bounced up and down on the crook of her neck.

“I don’t care. Darius! Please open the door. It’s urgent.” She banged harder.

The door was flung open, and a dishevelled, puffy-faced Darius came into view. His black hair stuck out in every direction.

“What?”

“It’s not urgent,” I said as Irene said, “Alex made a pact with Carabosse to overcome his fear of touching.”