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“A good starting place,” he said. “Let’s go to the bathroom first and then wash your hands.”
Suddenly, she had to pee badly. Mara pushed herself up to sit on his hard thighs and swayed like she was completely drunk. Struggling to regain her balance, Mara pressed a hand to her temple. “Oh, I don’t like this.”
“Let’s move slowly, Little girl. Your bladder will cooperate. If not, we’ll take a shower and change you into fresh clothes.”
That sounded awesome. “Could we? I’d really like to wash their touch completely off.”
“Of course. Potty and then shower.”
When she stood under the warm spray a few minutes later, Mara decided she’d never loved a shower more in her life. Darius supported her with an arm around her waist as he spread lavender-scented soap over her skin. The floral aroma wiped away the lingering, fuzzy sensation of the kidnappers’ hands on her skin. She didn’t think she’d ever get over that, but washing all traces of their presence from her skin made her feel better.
She leaned against Darius’s hard frame as he washed her hair, gently rubbing her scalp and coaxing the lather through her tresses. He didn’t linger on her curves but gently tended to her. She could see and feel the effect of her nudity on his body, but when she reached for his thick erection, Darius kissed her and firmly removed her hand from his shaft.
“No playtime now, Little girl.”
When she stuck out her lower lip in a silent protest, Darius nipped at her protruding pout with his white teeth. Mara stared at his mouth, and his fangs lowered in response to their closeness. “Daddy? Are you going to bite me?”
“Today, no. In the near future, yes. Lean your head back, Zoí mou, so I can rinse your hair.”
She thought about his answer as she followed his directions. When he wrapped her with a thick, thirsty towel, she gave in to her curiosity. “Will your teeth hurt?”
“At first, maybe a small amount. But the pleasure of sharing your life’s essence with me will vastly overwhelm any discomfort you might feel.” Without elaborating further, Darius guided her out of the shower. He rubbed the excess moisture from her hair and combed out the tangles.
Mara watched him in the mirror, thrilled by how well he treated her. No hint of annoyance or the desire to be anywhere but here. His soft touch comforted her, helping her process that she was safe. His gaze rose to meet hers in the reflection. Without losing their connection, Darius pressed a kiss against the curve of her neck. His tongue smoothed over her skin before he straightened.
“Really? I’ll enjoy being bitten?”
“Oh, yes, Little girl. I promise. Now, let’s get you dressed. You can wear this.” He picked up his own recently discarded T-shirt before getting cleaned up. He guided the fabric over her body as he removed the towel from around her curves. His scent wrapped around her, reassuring Mara on a basic level.
She wrapped her arms around herself, holding his masculine essence close as Darius pulled on a pair of low-slung jeans. She’d never seen him so casually dressed. Those grooves at his pelvis beckoned her to trace them with her tongue. She’d seen him naked repeatedly, yet each time, she couldn’t believe anyone could be so chiseled.
“Do vampires have like a super sexy odor that seduces women?” she blurted.
“Hungry for me, Zoí mou?” he teased, stroking a hand over his taut abdomen to the dipping waistband of his worn jeans.
“Fuck, yes.” She blinked in disbelief at him. Had she just said that? “I’m sorry….”
“I’m not. I want you too, Little girl. Probably a good idea you stayed home today, hmm?” Darius said as he tugged her forward until their bodies pressed together. He stroked his fingers through her hair. “The attraction you feel to me is our mating bond, Mara. I’m drawn to you in the same way. We should enjoy this excitement for all the years we have together. I too would answer ‘fuck yes’ if asked if I want you. Perhaps something even more graphic would escape from my mouth if I were completely honest.”
He kissed her hard. Mara curled her hands around his broad shoulders, holding onto him as if her life depended on staying close. When Darius lifted his mouth from hers, he whispered, “I cannot wait to sink my teeth into you as I impale you on my cock. Intense pleasure will flood through both of us. I’m barely holding on until you beg me to take you again and again.”
“Beg?” she repeated, her gaze captured by the fiery depth of his eyes.
“You will. But so will I. We will crave each other as if our lives depend on experiencing absolute satisfaction.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his. Could a man be this hot and really promise more than she’d ever thought possible? Mara refused to consider that he wasn’t telling the truth. He’d rescued her and sat up with her on guard for hours to ensure she recovered. The corners of her mouth curved upward as she considered him.
“I will look forward to experiencing everything with you, Daddy.”
The fire flamed in his dark eyes. She felt like the heat might consume her as he leaned down to claim her lips again. Darius swept her off her feet as he hugged her against his powerful frame.
As their exchange threatened to combust, Mara’s stomach growled ferociously. Darius lifted his head immediately. His face hardened as if he struggled to rein in his desire. He shook his head.
“You are dangerous, Little girl. I don’t lose control.”
“Yet,” she suggested.
With a growl, he adjusted her position to be cradled in his arms. “Let’s get you fed, Mara, before I forget I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
