Well, I had known it was a long shot when Ifirst thought up my crazy plan. But I had to try it anyway.
I looked at him lying there on the bed andcouldn’t help thinking how beautiful he still was. Despite hisvulnerability or maybe because of it, he was an absolutely gorgeousman. From his strong jaw, which glinted with golden stubble, downto his broad chest, narrow hips and long legs—he was perfect. I hadalmost gotten used to him in suits but tonight he was back to hisold outfit of jeans and a faded blue t-shirt. It didn’t reallymatter what he wore, though—he took my breath away.
“Corbin,” I said softly. “Can you hearme?”
His eyelids, which had been mostly closed,fluttered open and I saw that his lovely silvery-blue irises hadturned a dull gray. Seeing that hurt my heart but I tried not toshow it.
“I hear you,” he murmured, his deep voicesounding terribly tired. “Say what you have come to say, Addison. Iam dying.”
“I know,” I said, trying to choke back asob. “I know about the stake.”
“Was it you who took it?” He tried to frownat me but it seemed like he was too drained to make the effort. “Ilooked for it everywhere. I needed to see it…needed to know…”
“How much time you have left,” I finishedfor him.
“Exactly.” His eyelids fluttered closedagain. “Not much…I think.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” I rummaged in myovernight bag and tried to push down the panic that was clawing atmy mind like a hungry cat. What if I was too late? What if he stilldied? What if we both died?
Stop it, I told myself firmly.Just do it. Do it now.
I pulled out what I had been looking for—mysilver alloy cuffs. The same ones I’d used on Cynthia tonight andcountless other vamps before her. I looked down at Corbin, whoappeared to be resting peacefully in the middle of the vastking-sized bed. There was no way I was fast enough or strong enoughto cuff him if he objected. I would just have to hope he was in adeep enough stupor to keep him from getting suspicious before I gotthe job done.
Slowly, carefully, I began to raise his armsover his head, positioning his wrists near the brass slats in theheadboard. It was an extremely awkward operation, especially givenCorbin’s size. His long, muscular arms were bulky and unwieldy.Still, somehow I managed.
Corbin’s eyelids fluttered again and hefrowned. “What…are you…doing?” he asked in a slow, draggyvoice.
“Just getting you more comfortable,” Iassured him. Moving as quickly as I could, I slapped the cuffs onhis wrists, being certain to wrap their chain around the centerstrut of the brass bed. It was a piece of metal as thick as my armand it looked to be solid brass, not hollow, so it should hold. Ihoped, anyway.
Then I got out a pair of silver legirons.
Corbin laughed weakly when I went aboutchaining his ankles to the footboard of the bed.
“What do you think you are doing, Addison?I’m no danger to anyone now. And even if I was, you haven’t gottime to arrest me. I will be dead before you can charge me.”
“Nobody’s dying here tonight,” I saidgrimly. “And I’m not arresting you.”
“Then what do you think you are doing?” hedemanded, opening his eyes more fully to look at me.
“This,” I said softly and began tostrip.
“Addison…” he murmured as I shed my jacketand blouse and slipped off my trousers. Soon I was down to nothingbut my bra and underwear. They were made of soft, stretchy crimsonlace that clearly showed the peaks of my nipples and the slit of mypussy. It was a set I had bought over a year ago as a splurge. Ihad never gotten to use them though—they had still had the pricetags on them when I pulled them out of my underwear drawer. I hopedCorbin liked them. In all probability, they were the last garmentsI would ever wear.
I pushed the negative thought from my mindand climbed back on to the bed with him.
“Well?” I cupped my breasts and ran my handsdown my sides, framing my body for his benefit. “You like what yousee?”
“You know I do,” he rasped and I was happyto see a little more life creeping back into his eyes. “ButAddison, if you think you can save me with sex, I am afraid you aremistaken. The most you can do is make sure I die happy.”
“We’ll see about that,” I murmured, leaningover to kiss him. His mouth was cold but it seemed to warm as Itasted him.
“Mmm,” he growled softly as I ran my tonguegently along the seam of his lips. “Feeling naughty tonight,darling?”
“You have no idea,” I whispered and deepenedthe kiss. Daringly, I pressed my tongue between his lips, tastinghim, flickering the tip quickly over his deadly sharp fangs. At thesame time I rubbed my breasts against his broad chest and ran myhands over his shoulders and through his hair. I wanted to touchhim everywhere, wanted to feel him against me, inside me…but thatwould come later.
“Addison,” he murmured, his eyes catchingmine when I sat back. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because I want you. And I want to bein charge this time.”
His deep rumbling laugh seemed to vibratethrough my entire body.
“No one could argue that you are indeed incharge. With this much silver on me, I couldn’t move if I wantedto.”
That, of course, was what I was hoping—thatthe restraints would hold. They will, I promised myself, andwent back to teasing him by rubbing my breasts against his face.Corbin growled appreciatively. Feeling even bolder, I pulled downthe red lace cups of my bra to bare my nipples for him.
“Suck them,” I commanded, pressing one tightlittle nub against his mouth. “Make me feel good, Corbin.”
“With pleasure, darling.” He compliedwillingly, sucking my nipple deep into his mouth and teasing itwith his tongue.
I moaned as sensations shot through me,little sparks of pleasure that seemed to go straight from mynipples, directly to my pussy. God, even though I knew this was allkinds of crazy and dangerous, I still wanted him—wanted him badly.I could feel the sharp tips of
