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“As it happens, I’ve heard from both.” He eyed me a moment, as if making a decision. “All three — the two vampires and the wolf — made a point of telling me you’re stronger than most everyone you’ve ever had sex with, and that this isn’t a turn-on for you.”
Nothing much embarrasses me, but I was a little mortified at this. No way was I going to let the vampire know, though. “Abbott knows because he drank from me, not because…” I shook my head. Marco didn’t need to know my sexual history.
I rolled my eyes and told it to him straight. “It’s good to have friends who care about me. Yes, it’s been a problem. I’m not into the kind of kink Kirsten is, but I like it a little rough, and I’ve been known to make a guy prove he’s strong enough to take me a time or two. It isn’t an ongoing, every-time thing, but it’s nice to be reminded occasionally.”
“Your Alpha is certainly stronger than you.”
He said it as a statement, but it was a question — and one I wasn’t about to answer. If push came to shove, I wasn’t absolutely certain Randall was stronger than me anymore, and that terrified me because I didn’t want his job. No way did I want that kind of power. Plus, it would possibly start a fight to the death, and no way did I want to have to kill him. Even if I wanted the job, I wouldn’t want it that bad.
“I’m here as a feed-and-fuck. Interrogation wasn’t part of the deal.”
Rather than being rebuffed, as I intended, my words seemed to endear me to him, though I couldn’t explain how I or my wolf knew. Scent? Facial expressions? Body language? I’d mostly given up on trying to guess how my wolf picked up on such things, but I was certain my inner wolf was keyed in to Marco much deeper than was probably acceptable.
“Such a practical wolf,” Marco said. “I find I want conversation with you more than I want time in bed, which isn’t at all normal for me before I’ve fed.” He shrugged. “And with the brainless ones, after I’ve fed as well. I apologize if you felt I asked an inappropriate question.”
“Inappropriate? No. You’re a Master Vampire and that means information about such things is sometimes vital to survival.”
“And you are beta to one of the most powerful alphas. You’re stronger than most alpha wolves in this country, and this means you protect such knowledge with everything in you.” He sighed. “I find that I don’t want to treat this as a normal political chess match. I want to talk to you. Get to know you. Yes, I want to know how strong you are, but not for political reasons. So, I’ll do my best to refrain from asking, and if you ever feel the need to tell me, you will.”
“I don’t believe it’s possible for us to step outside of our respective roles.” Nor was it a good idea. Not even a tiny little bit.
“I have a proposal. The dungeon downstairs is soundproof, with a strong bed we don’t have to worry about breaking. I’d love it if we could step outside our respective roles while we are in that room. Rough sex, a little fighting or tussling. No damage we can’t easily heal, so only what you can heal with a change to wolf and back, and what I can heal from feeding from you and one other shapeshifter, though I won’t be upset if I need two other shapeshifters if you slightly misjudge.”
“And I’ll probably have to be okay with needing to go to wolf and back twice, if you misjudge?”
He tilted his head, and I took it as an unsaid agreement.
“I don’t think we can step completely outside our roles. I’m a wolf and you’re a vampire, both with power. There’s no way around that.” I took a breath and considered what I wanted from this vampire. “But I think we can step away from our political responsibilities, perhaps. Not out of sight or out of mind, but outside the usual boundaries, somewhat.”
He smiled. “Somewhat, yes. You’re right, of course, and a most practical wolf. Are you ready now, or would you like to set a time – an hour, perhaps?”
I wanted to set parameters, but my wolf just wanted to jump him. If we kept talking, we were going to screw this up before it got started.
“Lead me to this dungeon of yours.”
It was an order, and he gave pause while he decided whether to follow it or reprimand me for it. His grin came slowly, his heated eyes grew warmer. “I’m looking forward to tangling with you, wolf.”
* * * *
Marco
I led the sexy warrior wolf through my home, down two levels, and to the dungeon. This wasn’t a playroom, it was a space built for torture, but I’d have the kind of privacy I wanted with this particular wolf.
“You’ve let your companion know she may not be able to sense you?” I’d been in every head I could get into, of people who knew the fiery redhead. She had skills and talents I wasn’t comfortable having in my territory, but I hadn’t found a reason to kick her out. My instincts told me she was a viable threat, but not necessarily to me or mine — though it was possible I could put that threat to good use, while she was here.
“She’d like me to check in every hour. I told her two hours. It’s been about fifteen minutes.”
“I’m not of a mind to strike the first blow today.” I pulled my shirt off and gave the sexy wolf my best smile. “Still, if you like those clothes, you may want to disrobe before we start.”
Cora’s smile lit her face. “You’re going to give me a fight and sex? It’s like you know just want I want.”
She pulled her shirt off, then unfastened her bra and draped both over the arm of a bondage chair. “I don’t so much care about the shirt, but I love this bra.” She looked down to her feet and back up to my face. “Either we’re both barefoot, or we aren’t.”
I was too busy staring at her gorgeous breasts. I’ve lived a long-assed time, and I’ve seen more tits than I can possibly count, but Cora’s were perfect. Round and pert and just the right amount of bouncy. Not too big and certainly not too small. I toed my dress shoes off and met her gaze. She could’ve attacked while I was ogling her breasts, but she hadn’t. I wasn’t likely to get a second reprieve.
“We haven’t started yet,” she said. “I’m going to sit and take my boots off.”
I nodded. They were excellent boots, and my research into her and Kirsten told me they had them custom made for their feet. Dressy on the outside, built better than most athletic shoes on the inside, with a reinforced toe area for fighting.
