I WAS RELIEVED to wake with her next to me, her arm completely healed and a heated look in her eyes as she stared at my body. I sensed her desire, like a flame burning bright within her that only I could see.

I longed to sate her needs but could tell she was bent on refusing me. That determined set to her precious little jaw told me everything. It didn’t stop me from wanting her moving beneath me, and I let my body say as much, not bothering to hide my arousal.

“I need to go to my room.” She made an effort to stare at the far wall instead of me.

I stretched and put my hands behind my head, wanting her eyes on me. Her gaze drew back to my body, and I could tell she liked what she saw, her bright eyes darkened by hooded lids.

“I’m not stopping you.” I watched her lick her lips. The sight of her nimble tongue made my shaft harder. It was an exquisite torture to have her in my bed but not under me or on top of me, where she belonged. The incubus agreed, rattling around inside me, going mad with desire for her.

She huffed slightly and fidgeted under the sheet so I got a better look at the outline of her stiffened nipples pressing against the silk. It almost sent the incubus over the edge, but I kept it at bay. Barely. It didn’t help that I, too, wanted to rip the blanket off her and give her what she wanted and needed from me, even if she wouldn’t admit it. But, it wouldn’t happen that way.

I wanted Lilah to come to me, wanted her desperate for me. The incubus stopped trying to claw its way out and quieted, seemingly in agreement with me for once. I would have been amazed by its actions if I weren’t too busy watching Lilah. She subconsciously rubbed her thighs together, making my shaft pulse against the fabric. Her gaze had been riveted to it before she closed her eyes tightly and turned away, though it seemed to take a Herculean effort—which pleased me to no end.

“I can’t get up if you’re going to watch. And, wait a minute, how did I get here and naked anyway?” Suspicion filled her tone.

“The fury poisoned you, and I brought you here and saved your life. Anne helped me get you cleaned up and into bed.” I shrugged.

“How’d you get the fury venom out?”

My jaw clenched. “That was regrettable, but I had to call in a favor from a certain sort of fanged Underworlder. Let’s just say he had a fury venom cocktail and you got to live.”

Lilah’s hands flew to her throat. “You let a vamp drink me?”

“Believe me. It was the only way.” I seethed with the memory. The thought of Paris at her neck, his mouth on her body, enraged me, and I knew my eyes had flickered to embers. I would flay Paris as soon as possible. Trying to smooth my tone, I added, “I wouldn’t have let him harm you. It couldn’t be helped.”

“Him? Him who?” She drew her fingertips along her throat, feeling for puncture wounds that had already healed.

I wanted to take her hands in mine to comfort her, but realized she’d likely bolt if I made a move toward her. She was definitely not my usual prey. And that was an understatement. The incubus gave me a certain power over females. I couldn’t go so far as to enthrall them like the vampires could, but I certainly had no trouble getting them where I wanted them. But Lilah seemed immune to my incubus—its charms weren’t enough to romance her into bed. A first.

“Hey.” Her sharp tone cut through my thoughts. “Who bit me?”

“Paris,” I said as nonchalantly as possible.

Her hands stopped abruptly, and she turned back to me, the tips of her hair tickling my bare chest. “You mean to tell me you let the most dangerous vampire in the Underworld drink my blood?”

I slowly reached out, as if attempting to pet a skittish fawn, before running my fingers down a lock of her silken hair. “It had to be done, carissima. It was that or let you die, which I will never do.”

I meant every word. I’d been so worried about her, I would have called in all the favors I was owed—which meant practically half the Underworld would show up at my mansion in the heart of Paris—to make sure she was all right. She’d bewitched me, and the thought of living without her caused misery untold.

Her color heightened, and she looked deep into my eyes for a moment, as if trying to measure my soul and fearful she would find it lacking. I shared that fear.

After a moment she relaxed somewhat, taking her hands from her neck and smoothing the blanket over her stomach. “What about how I got naked? No funny business?”

“Not unless you count groping me in my sleep as funny business.” I was unable to keep the smile from my lips.

She gaped at me. “You were awake?”

“No, but I was having an exceedingly pleasant dream and woke up with your delicious scent all over me. Wild guess.” I leaned closer to her. “If you’d like to continue now that I’m awake, I suppose I could work you in.”

“I’m leaving.” Her hands gripped the sheet like she wanted to throw it off and run but couldn’t. “Just be a gentleman and watch the wall until you hear the door close, okay?”

“You wouldn’t let me have a little peek since I saved your life?” I enjoyed teasing her. Like me, she always rose to the occasion.

She arched an eyebrow at me. “I think you’ve seen enough of me, wouldn’t you agree?”

Never. “Fine. I’ll avert my eyes.” I reluctantly turned toward the wall. The bed moved slightly, and she padded across the rug’s thick pile. Of course, I also saw her reflection in the window and wanted to get up and drag her tight little package back into my bed, which the incubus fully supported. But I let her go…for now.