Turner had been quite sure that Bridget didn't think of him as her patient, or if she had she didn't care, but he needed to check this item off before proceeding.

But now that the issue was cleared, he had no idea what to do. Should he just ask her if she wanted to take him to her bed? Should he pick her up and carry her there?

In the end, he opted for the truth. Brian would not have approved, but fuck it. Turner was done pretending.

"You must forgive me, but I'm out of practice. I don't know what is okay and what is not, and what is expected of me."

Bridget smiled indulgently. "When was the last time you went on a date?"

"In college."

She lifted a brow. "What about hookups?"

"The last one was months ago. I hope it doesn't turn you off, but I prefer paid company. No effort required and no expectations. It's like a business transaction."

Pushing away from the table, Bridget got up and sauntered over to him. "How much do you normally pay for it?" She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"About a thousand."

"High-class company. You pamper yourself."

"I can afford it."

She put her finger to his lips, rubbing them gently. "Did you ever pay anyone five thousand?"

He shook his head instead of replying because her finger was still on his lips.

"That's what I charge. But I promise you I'm worth it. In fact, I'm sure you are going to tip me when I'm done with you."

He liked the game Bridget was playing. And he was grateful for her insight and her consideration. This was familiar territory, and she'd just given him permission to act as he did with his paid escorts, putting him at ease.

"I need to sample the goods first," he said.

"Smart man." She pulled his head down and kissed him.

He loved her lips. Big and fleshy and soft yet persistent. She licked inside his mouth, her small tongue darting in and catching his for a little dance.

Bridget's flavor was exquisite, different, intoxicating, and had nothing to do with the wine they'd both consumed. It was her own. Wanting more than the little taste she was giving him, Turner took over the kiss. Cupping the back of her head, he speared his tongue past her lush lips and into the hot cavern of her mouth.

On a moan, Bridget went limp in his arms, surrendering to him in a way he somehow knew she hadn't surrendered to anyone else. The thought made him harder than a barrel of a gun and just as ready to shoot his load.

Wrapping one arm around her middle and threading the other under her hips, Turner pushed up to his feet and strode down the hallway with Bridget in his arms, searching for her bedroom.

"This one." She pointed to an open door.

He sat her on the bed, then stepped back, leaned against the dresser, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Please remove your clothes. All of them."

Bridget leaned back on her elbows and crossed her legs. "First, we need to negotiate the terms."

Turner stifled a smile. She wasn't wrong about that part, but it usually took place over the phone. Once his escort arrived, she knew exactly what he expected from her.

"We already agreed on the price."

"That's true. But I need to know how rough you want me to get with you. Some like it gentle, some do not."

It was a reversal of roles he actually found refreshing. "I can take whatever you dish out."

She lifted one of her beautifully curved red brows. "If you say so. But remember that I warned you. I like to bite."

Fuck. Why did it sound so hot?

"Can I bite back?"

He'd meant it as a joke, but Bridget's eyes glazed over with desire. "Please do."

She smiled at his surprised expression. "I'm not a masochist, if that's what you're thinking. Immortal males bite during sex, but I've never had the pleasure of experiencing that. It won't be the same without the venom, but I still find the prospect extremely erotic."

"Venom?"

Bridget sat up straight. "Didn't Kian explain how we induce transition?"

Turner shook his head.

"Oh, boy. Here it goes. Immortal males have fangs and venom. That venom is the catalyst that activates the immortal genes in a Dormant. When they bite their partner during sex, the venom delivers euphoria and a powerful climax. Or several of them. When they fight other males, the venom incapacitates their opponent, and in a large dosage stops the heart. It is one of the few methods of killing an immortal. In order to transition, you will have to wrestle an immortal male, spurring his aggression just enough for him to produce venom. He bites you, and if you're a Dormant, you transition. Sometimes it happens after one bite, sometimes after several, and sometimes not at all."

Turner rubbed his hand over his head. "That's okay with me. I can put up a fight."

Bridget's eyes roamed his body. "I'm sure you can."

They were back into the game. "Now that we cleared the biting part, what else?"

Instead of an answer, Bridget crossed her arms, grabbed the bottom of her loose blouse, and pulled it over her head.

Turner's mouth filled with saliva. Bridget's white bra was more of a decoration than a supportive garment, her ample breasts spilling over the top. He wanted to reach for her and touch, but held back, waiting for her to finish stripping for him.

He loved that part, the slow unveiling of a woman's body, the breathless anticipation of the beauty hidden under her clothing. To him, there was nothing more appealing than the female body.

Giving him the show he craved, Bridget pivoted on the bed, lifted her legs, and pulled her tight pants off in slow motion.

Next, she went up on her knees and reached back with one arm to snap the bra clasp open, while holding it to her body with the other. Slowly, she pulled down one shoulder strap, and then the next, all along keeping her intense blue eyes on his.

A true temptress, she was doing a better job than the pros. Probably because there was real desire in her eyes and not just a show for his benefit.

When both straps were dangling down her arms, she let the bra slide off.

The pressure in Turner's pants was becoming unbearable, but he kept still, determined to watch her performance to its end.

Bridget hooked both thumbs in the elastic holding up her white panties, shimming out of them one inch at a time.

Gorgeous, sexy woman.

With a smile, she lay back on a mound of pillows. "Your turn, Victor. Give me a good show."

He loved the switching back and forth between them. Bridget was an assertive woman who was no doubt just as assertive in bed, but she seemed willing to take turns.

Turner could live with that. He was naturally dominant, but not to the extent that he couldn't see himself yielding to a woman. Nevertheless, this was a new experience for him. He was willing to give it a shot, especially since he was going to play the game with Bridget, which he would no doubt find more than pleasurable.