“Exactly.”

The wicked sparkle she’d come to love danced in his eyes. “In fact, I could bite you right now.”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the steps. “Sounds like a plan. Right after you take me to bed.”

Thirty passionate minutes later, Delaney lay curled beside him, a sheen of sweat cooling on her skin. Moonlight spilled through the sheers, setting her aglow. The sated look on her face only made her more gorgeous than ever. Her eyes were heavy-lidded with bliss, and a lazy grin curved her mouth. A mouth he’d kissed thoroughly.

He could not get enough of her. Already, the desire to have her again curled through him, bringing his body back to life with the pleasurable tightness of need.

“You’re not falling asleep, are you, my love?” He traced a finger from the hollow of her throat down between her breasts to the dip of her navel.

“No.” She laughed and swatted at his hand. “Stop that, you’re tickling me.”

“Really? Ticklish there? I’m making a mental note of that.”

She reached up to stroke his cheek. “Behave or no cake.”

He splayed his hand on her stomach. “I’ve earned that cake. Don’t think you’re taking it away from me now.”

Her thumb brushed the corner of his mouth. “Show me your fangs,” she whispered.

He obliged her, knowing his eyes reflected the glow of his kind as well.

“You’re too handsome to be real.” She smiled shyly, a curious thing given what they’d just done. Her voice was soft and dreamy. “I never knew I was the kind of girl who went in for the whole vampire thing until I had one of my very own.”

He turned his face into her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. “I hope you know I’m going to spoil you senseless. And I don’t want to hear a single complaint. Jewels, clothes, trips, whatever you want.”

“All I want is you. And maybe a new cat condo for Captain.”

“We’ll put one in every room.”

She stared at him then took a long breath. “I’m ready.”

He knew what she meant, had been waiting for her to say something, but he still didn’t feel prepared.

“Tell me what’s going to happen?” Her smile brightened. “I’m not scared, I just want to know. And we’ve never really had this talk.”

For good reason. He’d never thought things would actually get this far. But they had and there was no going back. “After I bite you—”

“It won’t hurt much, right? It’s okay if it does, I just want to know.”

“You’ll feel a pinch, maybe. Nothing more.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “Go on.”

“After that, I’ll bite my own wrist so that you can have a drop or two of my blood. That’s all that’s necessary. You’ll fall asleep pretty quickly after that. You’ll feel normal after the first bite. After the second, you’ll feel the changes. We’ll repeat the process three nights in a row, and after the third night, you’ll either be turned or…”

“I’ll be turned. There is no or.”

“Right. There is no or.” But if there was, it would be the end of both of them. “You can stop at any time before the third night.”

“I’m not going to change my mind.”

“My love for you won’t be any different if you do.”

“Good to know. And as tempted as I am to have cake, I have no desire to leave this bed.” She pulled her hair out of the way and tipped her chin up. “Go ahead. Do it.”

He bent his head to her collarbone and feathered kisses across the creamy expanse of her body, making his way leisurely up to her throat to nip softly at her earlobe.

A soft moan pearled on her lips.

He laced one arm behind her head, cradling her, while the other explored the tempting planes of her body.

She purred with pleasure, aching to whisper into his ear. “When I said do it, I meant bite me, not—”

“Shh. Just relax and enjoy.”

He could feel her smile against his skin.

“Yes, your lordship.”

He smirked at her impudence and scraped his fangs over her skin, causing her to suck in a breath. The warmth and scent of her drove him wild, urging him to take her roughly. To mark her as his. He restrained himself, unwilling to hurt her for his own pleasure.

He clung to the last thread of control and continued worshipping her until the rhythm of her breathing changed and she’d gone boneless with sensation in his arms.

Then, in an act that both excited him and scared him, he sank his fangs into her neck.

She cried out, a muted exclamation of pain and pleasure, her hands clutching at him as he drank from her.

The taste of her seared his soul, erasing all trepidation. But even in that moment, he understood the feeling of omnipotence was temporary. He was intoxicated by her. The feeling would pass and he would once again fear for her life.

But now? All he wanted to do was drink her in and claim her as his own. Her pulse throbbed in his veins. Their hearts beat in rhythm. They were, for a few unending seconds, one being.

He released her, closing the two small punctures he’d opened with the press of his tongue. Then he put his fangs to his own wrist and tore the skin, reckless with the abandon of the moment. As red beaded on his skin, he held his wrist to her lips.

“Drink,” he urged.

She did as he commanded, her hands coming up weakly to grip his wrist. As soon as she’d had a taste, he shook her hands off. “Now rest, my darling.”