Page 18 of The Vampire’s Prey

Tiny flashes of pain break through my swirling thoughts. It’s then that I realize how hard I’m clenching my fists. I shake them loose as I contemplate my options. I can only do my job by seeing what Adrian is referring to downstairs. I can’t go down without Adrian. Maybe I can run for it? I’m closer to the door than he is. There’s a chance I could get a peak?

“I can see the smoke pouring out your ears. What could you possibly be thinking about so hard? It’s very simple really. Give yourself to me. That’s all you have to do.”

My heart picks up again. How does he have this power over me? I’m supposed to be above all of his carnal tricks. I pray and purify daily. What am I doing wrong? It’s mortifying. Even as I’m puzzling through my morality, I’m just getting even wetter. I close my eyes and press my thighs together. Anything to rid myself of these horrid, delicious sensations.

If anything, that made it worse. It takes every ounce of training not to moan as the squeezing does the complete opposite of what it's supposed to do. The tight fabric stretches taut over my sensitive skin, rubbing all the right areas in all the wrong ways. Panicked, I look up to see if he even notices. Maybe, if I’m lucky, he won’t know the effect he has on me.

One glance at his face tells me everything I need to know. Busted. His lips part as his nostrils flair. He knows the truth now. There’s no way I can hide from him. Shame floods my body as I watch his nose twitch like an addict. I’m supposed to be in control of myself at all times. What’s happening to me?

“Last chance Rapunzle. Strip, or we’re done.”

That low growl in his voice nearly undoes me. A moan slips past my lips as he steps towards me, his body dangerously close to mine. What if he kills me? Then at least he has done The Family a favor. I’m not worthy to be a part of them if I give myself to the first vampire I see.

Firm fingers lift up my chin. I try so hard to keep the tears at bay; however, a few must be escaping. His fingertips brush along my face, leaving a wet trail in their wake.

“I’ll take you back to the main club. I won’t torment you further.”

“No! Wait!”

I pull myself out of his grasp. My thoughts race through my skull. What am I doing? You’re saving your legacy. There’s still time to turn this around. Sex is permittable if it helps the greater good. Father will understand. The Family will understand. They don’t actually have to know though. Do they?

I look around the closet. It’s just Adrian and me. I don’t have to lie. I just won’t tell them how I gathered my intel. Besides. He said it himself. This is a one and done. He gets what he wants, and I get what I want. Win-win.

“I. I think I can do this.”

I detest how shaky my voice sounds. Get it together, Evangeline. What the hell have you been training for if not for this moment? I look down at my plain outfit, wishing I had something fancier. Something sexier. If I am giving myself to Satan, shouldn’t I be in a red teddy with a thong or something? My fingers pick at the buttons. I know I’m hesitating, but no one trained me on how to be sexy.

“This won’t do.” His voice growls in my ear. “I don’t want you standing here, looking like you’re heading to your execution.”

“Isn’t that it, though?” I snap back before I can contain myself. “I have no guarantees that you’re not luring me down there to my death.”

His laugh takes me by surprise. I didn’t expect such warmth and mirth to come from such a monster.

“Little one. Why ever would I want to kill you? Punish you? Yes. Bring you pain? Of course. Bring you the greatest pleasure you’ve ever known? More than anything. But I have no intention of killing you. Besides,” he pauses to stroke my cheek, “what if I want to sample your delights again? It wouldn’t be in my best interests to kill you.”

He has a point. But I also know vampires lie. However, if he really wanted me dead, wouldn’t he have done it by now? Why this elaborate scheme?

“What’s really down there?”

He crosses his arms and scowls at me. “Why are you stalling? Besides,” pain lances through my scalp as he grips my hair and drags me towards the floor. You said you can do this. You’re choosing to submit to me. One does not worship standing upright.”

Fury fills me. “I don’t know what I’m doing okay? Is that what you want me to say? I suck at being sexy. Sorry, but no one taught me how to seduce a man, let alone someone like you.” I sit back on my heels, ignoring the carpet scratching at my skin. Why am I telling him this?

“Someone like me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Oh shit. I can’t let him know that I know. Quick. Say something, anything. “Fucking hot!” I clamp my hand over my mouth. Not that. Why did you say that? Because it’s true? SHUT UP!

It works though. I see the suspicion leaving his eyes, and his chest puffs up. Dear God. I've gotten his ego in the mix. That’s the absolute last thing I need right now. My fingers tremble as I reach down and fight with the top button of my blouse. As I see it, there’s not even a point to being mad. Resignation fills me. I’m a whore. Plain and simple. There will be no going back for me after this. After tonight, I’ll be damaged goods.

“Stop.”

I look up, expecting him to start yelling at me again. Instead, his eyes look soft. Tender almost.

“Hands to your side, Rapunzel.”

“But I-”

“No arguing.”