Unexpected Read Free

visible. Her voice was breathy when she finally responded.
    “Wha-what… What were you going to say?” she stuttered.
    “I was going to say, if you ever darken my doorstep again, I will show you what you do to a man, even a dead one.”
    “No,” she whispered although it wasn’t in protest. The images of Galien—a vampire—and her entwined in sheets, her face contorted in pleasure sped through her brain. Her whispered plea was one of denial. Vampires didn’t exist, they certainly didn’t, and there wasn’t one standing in her kitchen. Any minute now she was going to wake up.
    “You aren’t dreaming.” His voice was gruff, and he finally had her pinned, his strong arms on either side of her, trapping her against the countertop. “You are very much awake. Let me show you how awake you are.”
    His head dropped to her neck, and she felt his tongue caress her skin. It sent a shiver through her, and her whole body tensed. He licked from her earlobe to under her chin, his fingers pulling the turtleneck sweater down from her neck. She gasped. Was he going to bite her? He chuckled.
    “Not yet, but I will.” His promise made her shudder in anticipation. He grabbed the sides of her face with his calloused hands. It felt so different than anything she’d ever experienced. His head angled toward hers and she felt his mouth on hers, his fangs nipping at her bottom lip as his mouth moved over hers. His kiss was expert, moving over her top lip then her bottom, nipping until her mouth opened. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, and it felt like electricity ran down her spine.
    She tried to push at his chest. The realization of what he was danced at the edge of her logic, defied everything she knew, and he was kissing her and she liked it. Finally, she tore her mouth from his, gasping for breath.
    “You’re, you’re…a…vampire,” she said, proud she could finally voice her thoughts.
    “I am.” He grabbed her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her face until she was looking into his eyes. She realized why his eyes looked so strange. Where most people had flecks of different shades surrounding their pupils, his were pure cerulean, unmarred by anything but his black pupil.
    “Am I under a spell or trance?” She felt like she should be scared, but she wasn’t. That fact alone convinced her she was in some sort of vampiric, hypnotic spell where she lost all common sense.   He chuckled as he stroked her cheek with his thumb.
    “No. You’re not under any spell or trance.   Earlier, I made you put the knife down, but that is the extent of it. You aren’t scared because you want me.  I feel your true desire, no gimmicks.” His matter-of-fact way of saying things made her stomach flip and twist into knots.
    “You keep saying that. What makes you think—” He put his mouth to her lips, tsking at her.
    “I may be a demon, but let’s not lie to each other, mon chéri. I know you want me.”
    Her eyes went wide. He was either arrogant or… Who the fuck was she kidding? She’d just let him kiss her senseless. He chuckled again, his teeth gleaming.
    “Are you going to kill me?” she whispered. Galien was right. She wanted him, but she didn’t want to die for desire. Nothing was worth that.
    “You’ve been to France, oui ?”
    She could only nod.
    “Then you know what le petit mort means.”
    She nodded again.
    “And…?” he said, his fingers tracing a line under her jaw to her earlobe.
    “It means the little death, or orgasm,” she said, her voice sounding small, helpless, breathless, and completely in need.
    “Then, oui, I’m going to kill you over and over and over again.” His smile was sweet, his tone sincere, and his eyes shone with lust, promise, and confidence.
    “That…” She didn’t finish her sentence; his lips were on hers again, this time aggressive, commanding, and unyielding in their onslaught on her mouth.
    His lips were surprisingly soft, and she let go of the