“What is that supposed to mean?” I threw anirritated look over my shoulder. If he thought I was going to comedown here to his “lair” and let him do anything even remotelysexual again, he had another think coming.
Corbin’s eyes hardened. “It means, mydarling, that you will accompany me to Celeste’s trial tomorrownight. And while we are there, I will have to prove in a verypublic and convincing way that I own you beyond the shadow of adoubt for Roderick’s benefit.”
“What?” I spun around to face him, stillbuttoning my shirt. “What exactly is that going to entail?”
“Don’t act so surprised.” He glared at me.“I told you what you did tonight would have consequences. Thinkabout it, Addison—if I prove to Roderick that you are mine, he maybe content to let us all go about our business. If I do not, hewill almost certainly have me replaced. And since Taylor is nowunder my care and Celeste is the next most powerful vampire in myterritory…”
“Taylor would wind up right back withCeleste where she started,” I finished for him, feeling sick. “Allright then.” I folded my arms over my chest. “But what are yougoing to do?”
Corbin looked thoughtful. “That I shall haveto think on. Be certain you’re here early tomorrow night so we candiscuss it and form a plan.”
I sighed and pulled on my pants. “So that’sit for tonight then? I can go?”
An expression of sadness passed over hisface, there and gone so quickly I wondered if I had imaginedit.
“I had hoped you might want to stay theremainder of the night here with me. The bed is quitecomfortable.”
“So you’re inviting me to a vampire slumberparty? I don’t think so,” I said flatly. “Sorry, Corbin, but Idon’t want to be here if you get horny again.”
“I would do nothing but hold you, Addison. Iwould never ask you to pay the Crimson Debt for me.”
I frowned. “You said that earlier when youwere talking about finding a willing donor for Taylor. What doesthat mean, exactly—the Crimson Debt?”
He sighed. “It’s a euphemism for feeding andsex at the same time. There is a reason for it, you know—it healsall wounds. Those of the body and of the heart.”
I snorted. “All but the ones the human inquestion incurs, you mean.”
Corbin nodded. “Paying the CrimsonDebt—giving blood while making love—is a lethal combination,as we know, when a human is involved. But it is possible betweentwo vampires or a vampire and another paranormal creature, such asa were or other shapeshifter.”
“But you guys hate each other—vamps andweres, I mean,” I protested.
Corbin shrugged. “Interspecies flings aregenerally frowned on, true. I’m just saying what’s possible.” Hegot off the bed and came to stand in front of me. “Just as it ispossible for you to spend the night in my arms and not fear foryour life.”
I wanted to look away but again his eyesheld me.
“Corbin,” I whispered. “I…” But I didn’tknow how to go on.
“Stay with me, Addison,” he murmured,stroking my cheek gently. “Sleep in my arms. I’m sorry if Ifrightened you. I swear it won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t,” I said firmly, forcingmyself to ignore the fire his tender touch started inside me.“Because I’m not going to put myself in that position again. Andthat means I have to leave, now.”
“You’re afraid if you stay we will repeatour actions. Maybe even go further this time.” It wasn’t a questionand by the lust I saw burning in his eyes he was already up for arepeat. Unfortunately, so was I—which meant I had to getaway.
“I need to go check on Taylor,” I said,keeping my voice as businesslike as possible. “I’ve fulfilled theterms of our agreement and allowed you to punish me. Now can Iplease go?”
“Very well. But look at me, Addison, andunderstand me well.” He lifted his chin and his eyes burned intomine. “You will be here tomorrow night to attend Celeste’strial and acknowledge my ownership of you publicly and withoutquestion. Until Roderick is satisfied and leaves town, you aremine. And as such, you will do exactly as I say.Understood?”
I glared at him mutinously. So much for allhis sweet talk of ‘sleeping in his arms.’ Probably he had justwanted to keep me down here with him to make sure I didn’t skiptown before the trial.
“Addison?” he murmured sternly. “I amwaiting for an answer.”
“Fine,” I said at last. “I’ll be here andI’ll pretend to be your good little glam-slave consort. But as soonas this is all over and Roderick leaves town, you and I areover. Understand?”
He frowned. “Perfectly.”
“Good. So let me go.”
“Not yet.” He tilted my chin to the side,baring my neck.
“What are you doing?” I tried to pull backbut his grip was like iron.
“You’re still bleeding a little from where Inicked you. I can’t send you back up to a building full of vampireslike this.”
Before I could protest that I was fine, hewas licking me. His tongue felt hot and wet as it glided over myskin and I couldn’t help catching my breath as his healing touchstirred up all the lust I’d been trying to push down. It rose in meagain, threatening to swamp me like a tidal wave.
“Corbin,” I protested breathlessly, but hedidn’t stop—not yet. He seemed to be taking an awfully long time toheal such a little scratch but I was losing my ability to care. Thewarm, wet sensation of his tongue lapping over my sensitive fleshwas making me weak in the knees. My nipples were hard and my pussywas wet all over again.
Stop it, I told myself sternly.Stop reacting—that’s what he wants.
But I couldn’t help myself. By the timeCorbin finally released me, I was so weak in the knees I was afraidI might fall over.
He smirked as he walked around me and openedthe thick bank vault door.
“I trust you’ll have a pleasant night’ssleep after you check on your friend.”
“I’m sure I will,” I said with as muchdignity as I could muster. I left the door and climbed the stepswithout looking at him again but I could still feel those cool,silver-blue eyes on me every step
