AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lots of reasons,” he replied, his head tilted as he looked at me, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip. “Your scent calls to me, and your blood, but that’s the least pressing reason. You’re gentle, and I find I like that. I likeyou. Who you are, not your blood,” he clarified, and took a tiny step closer, never looking away from me. “I want to know what these hands feel like against your body, what these lips feel like against yours. But I would … I would hold your hand now. Just that.”
My heart melted as all his frantic energy distilled into that one declaration.I would hold your hand now, just that.
All the things he could have pressed for as my suitor—the XXL condoms came to mind—and he just wanted to hold my hand?
I held Claude’s dark gaze and lifted my hand, holding it there as an offer.
Claude moved so fast he blurred, and I jumped with a yelp, but it was more shock than fear that hit this time. His fingers were smooth and cool as they wove between mine, holding gently, carefully, as if he was every bit as aware that he could crush my fingers as I was. His head silver bowed, a hard breath punching from his lungs.
“I’m sorry,” he rushed out, giving me a sad puppy look through long eyelashes, like he was waiting for punishment. “I was too eager to move slowly. I tried.”
“It’s alright,” I replied, ducking my head so I could meet his eyes. So dark, so pained. And tight with dread, like he expected me to rip my fingers from his at any moment. “Are you okay?”
His silver head lifted, and he smiled, soft and happy when he realised I wasn’t tearing away.
“Beyond okay, my Roxie.”
I smiled back at him, surprised when he lifted our joined hands and brushed a kiss to the back of my hand. And even more surprised when a cool tongue brushed over the inside of my wrist. Claude groaned in the back of his throat, an involuntary sound, maybe an involuntary action, too.
My breath caught as his tongue made slow circles across my pulse, a rush of tingles going through my body, and for a moment I forgot to be scared of his age, his unpredictability. Stupid and reckless, definitely, but I couldn’t help the shudder that rocked my body, my teeth buried in my bottom lip.
“I can feel it,” Claude said huskily, drawing back sharply, like he physically dragged himself. “I can feel your blood against my tongue through your skin. You’re divine,” he breathed and met my eyes, his pupils barely distinguishable from his dark red irises as he gave me a hooded stare.
“I would only—only let my betrothed bite me,” I choked out, slowly recovering my wits. But my voice was still faint, and I was a little woozy.
“I won’t bite you, my Roxie,” Claude promised, gravely serious. “Not until you ask, no matter how good you smell.”
I shivered, and I wasn’t sure if I was scared or turned on. Maybe both. I was saved by the old cuckoo clock on the wall chiming the hour.
“I need to go,” I said shakily. “I’m meeting Silas.”
Claude stepped back and bowed—bowed! His eyes were still smoky with heat and sensuality, and I gulped.
“I don’t hold much hope that you’ll choose me, but just so you’re aware, I’d be honoured to be your husband. Until tomorrow, my Roxie,” he murmured, and skimmed my cheek with the very edge of his fingertips. Between one blink and the next, while I stood there stunned, he vanished.
I lifted my hand to my face where he’d last touched me, feeling warm and confused and very, very aroused.
And now I had to go endure Silas Abraham.
I groaned.
FIVE
Silas was already waiting for me in the library where we’d agreed to meet, the green lamps casting his handsome face in sharp angles. His cheekbones were cut marble, his nose perfectly straight, and his lips—nope, I wasn’t looking at his lips. I’d had enough frustration for one night, and I wasn’t letting myself be attracted to a man whose personality was as foul as Silas’s.
“You’re late,” he commented, giving me a dark look across the table as I dropped into a seat. I gave the books in front of him a cursory look, and jolted when I realised they were on vampire legends and the family lines, my favourite things to study.
No.Nope. Not even going to mention it.
“By aminute,” I huffed at the miserable bastard, shivering at the cold temperature—vampires never switched a heater on. “You can forgive me for that.”
His red eyes narrowed, a glowing ruby colour framed by silver. They distinctly said that no, he couldn’t forgive me for that.
“I value punctuality,” he replied tightly, his mouth pursed. I no longer wanted to kiss it, thank hell. He might have been drop dead gorgeous and had pretty hair, all glossy and black, but he was a hideous person.
“I value forgiveness,” I told him, my smile sharp.
I refused to let my eyes drift to where he’d rolled up his shirt sleeves, exposing pale arms corded with thick veins and muscle. He was a total bastard; Iwouldn’tlet his looks sway me. I needed more than that with a potential partner—I needed chemistry and respect and affection. Something told me I’d find none of those with Silas Abraham.
