37

I never actually wanted to be alone again.

So I needed to turn her.

But how could I talk to her about that? She’d allowed my claim, but we’d never discussed her being anything other than human. I didn’t know what she wanted. I wanted her with me forever, but I couldn’t force that on her.

I looked away. At first, I’d thought I just wanted power. The power a virgin could bring me, then the extended power of a true mate by my side.

But by the time I’d claimed her, it had been about more than power. And a true mate turning, according to the Book of Gray, was about love. It was the biggest gift I could give. It was immortal life.

Of course, it was also a selfish vampire gift—a lover and true mate, by my side, for eternity. But it was a commitment. A choice. A wedding. The most insane version of marriage ever—where as long as we both should live took on a whole different meaning.

It would mean giving all of myself and accepting all of Leia, too.

Which I wanted with a yearning that surprised me. The idea of her accepting my blood hardened me further and I fought not to move my hips forward or fist my cock in my hand to find relief.

I’d already taken too much.

I’d taken her choice, and I didn’t know how to tell her.

Thank fuck the witch had bought me some time with her colored stones.

But Leia would either be my thrall or my bride and I needed her to want the latter. My heart ached for her.

Leia stretched, her arm moving above her head as her back formed the most beautiful curve, which I wanted to skim my hand down. It helped that my hand would then land on her perfect ass.

“Good morning.” I nuzzled the crook of her neck, filling my chest with her scent as she stretched languorously again. I inhaled the unmistakable scent of her arousal, as well, as she moved and automatically pressed herself closer to me so our legs tangled together, her stiff nipples touched my chest, and my cock rested against the softness of her belly.

“Well, good morning to you, too. You’re, ah…up early.” She laughed softly as she played her fingers through my hair.

I kissed her neck and she moaned quietly. Her blood called to me and my desire for her blood called to her, and that would make her a thrall too quickly. I couldn’t allow either of us to give in before I’d spoken to her about becoming my immortal bride.

I groaned a little as I drew away, frustration in the bedroom—or any room—an almost unfamiliar emotion now. “I need to go to the casino today.” I said it by way of explanation, but it was also true.

“Can I come along? I’m pretty convinced Aimée is bored staying in all day to babysit me now, so surely she deserves time off for good behavior?”

I hesitated as I met Leia’s gaze.

“Please?” Her gentle fingers teased against my cock, and I groaned again.

“I don’t think you’re playing fair, Miss Boucher.” My cock twitched against her.

“But I thought all was fair in love and war?” She pouted, and I claimed her lips as my heart clenched.

This was a time of both love and war, and I had a difficult time refusing her anything. She relaxed against me, and I wound an arm around her waist before I remembered myself.

“The office.” I drew away again. “I need to go make sure everything’s running smoothly.”

“I’ll stay out of sight,” Leia murmured. “And I couldn’t be any better protected right? You’ll be there. And Jason will be there.”

“Sebastian could be there too, if I asked him, or Kyle…” I mused, thinking through the availability of my men. The temptation of Leia’s presence by my side was difficult to deny.

“Four bodyguard vampires for little ole me? Go on…” She kissed my collarbone then smoothed along it with her tongue. “Give Aimée the day off. Maybe she’d like to spend some time with her mate rather than yours?”

My chest tightened at her casual acknowledgment of her status, at the way she seemed to have accepted that she was the true mate of a vampire—even if I still had a lot more to explain to her. She was willingly mine, and gratitude blazed inside me.

I opened my mouth, prepared to talk to her about turning and the Book of Gray, but the words died in my throat. Perhaps now wasn’t the right time. She’d just wrapped her hand around my cock again and, fuck, I wanted her.

“How long did you say we had before we have to go to La Petite Mort?” It was more than a question. It was a seduction to hear the name of my casino on her lips, and she knew it.

“As long as you want.” My words were hoarse as she stroked my shaft, slowly at first then firmly until my breath hitched and I claimed her mouth again.

 

   

I wrapped my arm over her shoulders as I pushed through the private door into La Petite Mort. It led straight into the back, away from the main floor, and I could whisk Leia right up to my office without any of the other humans even being aware of her presence.

Not that humans were any threat to her. And especially not in here. Even if I ignored the fact every vampire staffing my business would protect Leia over anything or anyone else, the humans here were far too interested in the lights of machines or the numbers on playing cards to be distracted.

We’d been in my office for about five minutes when there was a knock at the door. Leia was sitting on one of the chairs in the seating area alternately focusing on her eBook and looking out through the one-way mirror over the floor.

“Come in.” My men knew Leia was here, so I wasn’t worried about security in my office.