Isabella flicked her tongue out to lick her lips still covered with blood and Roman stopped talking, studying her instead.
He leaned in and licked the blood from her lips, but pulled away fast. “Like I said once before, if you choose me, I will sign an exclusivity contract, which is binding for eternity. I will fulfill every desire and fantasy you have ever imagined. I’m a relentless lover, Isabella. If we mate, know this: I will kill anyone who tries to take you from me—even Jake. I’m a monster, not a human, and I don’t abide by their laws. I protect what is mine to the death.”
The way Roman spoke aroused her. She squeezed her thighs together and slid her hand through her glossy hair. The ferocity of the way he delivered his words made it seem like a sinful promise of earth-shattering sex, and she was on the verge of an orgasm right now just thinking about what he would do. The vampire wasn’t a monster but a master at seduction, and she craved a taste.
“This feeling. This urge I have for you—is it part of the transformation?”
A wide smirk broke over his lips. “It could be, but usually the overwhelming desire happens within the first three days. Of course, I was a total gentleman and gave you relief in other ways.”
She slapped his face, and he covered his cheek with his hand.
“I’ll give you that, but believe me when I say, the last week has put a whole new spin on the word torture.”
Isabella rolled her eyes at him, but remembered her naked and needy state earlier as she sat on the bed. She hadn’t been in her right mind or in control. A violent thirst and desperate need held her hostage. I’ve been a raving nymphomaniac for a week?
“I may be a beast, but I would never take advantage of you. I want you to remember the earth-shattering orgasms I give you.”
Roman brushed her hair away from her face, confirming she had been a mindless, sex-crazed wanton and he had looked after her. Resisted her demands. She pressed her hand to her mouth, needing to know what this new life entailed.
Isabella snorted. “And what if I want to have sex with someone beside you?”
His eyes never left hers, and his features betrayed no outward sign of emotion.
“Unmated, you have the right to choose a partner or multiple partners, if that is what you prefer. I would remove my mark, and introduce you to a suitable male from my close circle of friends only because I trust them. Perhaps Lucius, my second-in-command, would be a good fit, despite being a little narrow-minded. But, I stand by the decision I made before you sidetracked into my world. If you want freedom from me, you only have to ask, and I will give it.”
“So it wasn’t part of the plan after we married to persuade me to join the dark side?”
She didn’t believe Roman had not thought about turning her. But it struck her in the two years she had known him, they rarely discussed anything of a serious nature or anything real at all, for that matter. When they were together, they mostly clashed and argued. She hadn’t wanted to get to know the man or imagine the possibility of a future with a vamp. The thought terrified her.
And now I’m a bloody vamp! Now I’m his vamp!
“Isabella, as my wife, it would have been expected. My people demanded it, but I would’ve given you time. I did broach the subject many times.”
She narrowed her gaze to study the sincerity in his voice. Maybe he spoke the truth, and she had ignored him, which was ironic considering the situation now. “And what now? You broke off our engagement, letting me go.”
“No one knows that. I propose we continue as before and unite our people. But if you do not wish for that, I will honor my promise to you and let you go.”
“How honorable of you. And what if I choose Jake?” Her anger drove her even when she saw him clench his fists and raise his head to examine her. Even when Jake’s name rolled from her lips, it fell flat to her own ears. Roman supplied the answers, despite looking as if he wanted to throttle her, but she wanted to needle him.
“I would not advise an attachment with any human. If you choose to fuck him and keep him as a pet, that would be frowned upon, but accepted. Anything further is against our laws and forbidden. There are too many risks. Besides, eventually he will die, and you will not. It’s really not so bad being a vampire, my love. Our women are treated with respect and are equal in every way to their men.
