Page 34 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

She held my hand when I helped her climb into the carriage. “What are you going to do if we find the rogue?”

I sat next to her. “I’ll kill him.” So everyone would stop bothering me about him.

“But don’t you want to understand how lost he is to start with? He might not be fully a rogue. There might be hope.” She tilted her head, exposing her neck. “The fact that he didn’t kill Lucy means he may be reasoned with. Or we should take him here and lock him up in a cell with silver bars until we’re certain he isn’t dangerous.”

“Yes, but it’s easier to kill him.” I pulled her closer by her waist. “This rogue is a nuisance.” I nuzzled her neck.

“He might be more than that.”

I lifted her wrist and pressed my lips to her throbbing vein. The urge to bite her made me shiver. My fangs descended of their own accord.

“Alex.” She cupped my cheek. “We should focus on the rogue.”

“We’re still in my carriage.” I brushed a golden curl of her hair from her neck, exposing the main vein, and caressed her skin.

“That’s true.” Her voice sounded husky.

I pulled her onto my lap and held her by the waist.

She giggled. “Alex!” She squirmed, which started a delicious friction against me.

“I haven’t seen you all day.”

I slowly stroked her thigh through the fabric of her skirt. The touch wasn’t enough. I bunched up her skirt and petticoats and palmed her thigh.

“It has been a long day without you.” She sighed and sagged against me.

The hem of her bloomers was loose enough to give space for my hand to slip underneath.

She parted her lips as I slid my fingers between her thighs and found the slit of her drawers, and she eased out a sigh.

She was warm and soft, sheer temptation, and I loved the little noises she made as I rubbed her with my thumb.

She gripped me hard, and the delicious sensation of her fingers digging into my shoulders made me groan. I watched her reaction as I drew slow circles. Pink glowed in her cheeks and lips. I went deeper, and her legs tightened around me possessively. The bond wasn’t exactly relaxed and warm, but not as stiff as it’d been yesterday. Good. It was adapting to my new status.

When she quivered and her blood rushed through her veins in a sudden flare, I pressed my lips against her neck before touching her skin with my fangs, ready to drink from her.

I anticipated the swift flow of her blood into my mouth, the taste of peaches, vanilla, and spices. I wanted to drink from her, take until I was drunk on her blood.

The bond strained painfully to the point of being distracting.

The tips of my fangs scratched her skin, and tiny drops of blood hit my lips. I opened my mouth, ready for more.

“Alex.” She took my chin and lifted it, forcing me to withdraw from her neck. “Don’t.”

The carriage gave a jolt, disturbing me. I reluctantly sheathed my aching fangs. She blew out a breath but remained stiff in my arms.

She slid off me. “You can barely control yourself. You were about to bite me. Without asking me first, as you usually do.”

I cleared my burning throat. “I’m sorry.”

“Your control is struggling,” she said in a low tone. “Admit it.”

“But I didn’t bite you.” I licked my lips. “Your scent is irresistible.”

“The bond has changed.” She touched her forehead. “I feel a little dizzy.”

My throat was on fire, and I forced myself to ignore it. “Controlling myself is getting difficult. The thirst is growing stronger. I won’t deny that.” I kissed her hand, wondering why I hadn’t asked her if I could bite her.