“Come in,” I call.
As Devon steps into the room, his Vampire senses go on full alert at the sexual energy charging around the room. Hesitating, he takes a deep breath to regain his composure. “You rang?” he asks sardonically.
“I did, help me?” I pick up the corset and understanding crosses his face. The corset is handmade from black satin complete with whalebones in place, with hundreds of Swarovski crystals sewn across the front and back. It’s an exact replica of the 18th century style with the ties at the back, and therefore impossible to dress oneself, so it requires a second set of hands. Devon is familiar with 18th century corsetry and is skilled at lacing; he always helps me with mine. He takes it from me while I nip into the bathroom to put on my skirt. This is going to be naked enough without me standing there in just my crotchless knickers.
Exiting the bathroom, I stand in front of the mirror, and take off my robe. Cole’s eyes widen in shock that I’m standing there with my tits on show in front of Devon, but then it changes to something else. Something I can’t quite place but I want to say desire. I catch his eye in the mirror. “Devon is skilled at lacing. Unless you want to have a go?” I ask him with a soft smile.
Narrowing his eyes at me, he huffs out a breath and shakes his head. “Don’t think it’s in my bag of tricks,” he comments.
“Okay. Devon?”
Devon steps up behind me and places the corset in front of me, pulling it close to my skin. I position my breasts where they should be and release them as Devon pulls it tighter to me. I hold it in place as he grabs the laces on either end and pulls the sides together at the back. His fingers just skim my skin and I see his eyes darken in the mirror. Pulling tight on the top hooks, he slowly starts to crisscross the laces into the hooks, pulling tight, deliberately making this look sexy as hell. I flex my shoulders in protest.
“Be still,” he murmurs softly and carries on with his work.
Seconds later, he ties it off at the bottom with a flourish. He places his hands on my hips and turns me to face him. With his trademark smirk in place to hide his desire, he adjusts the top skimming his agile fingers over the tops of my breasts, now pushed into two luscious mounds by the whalebones. Trailing his hands down my sides to adjust the bottom, he smiles a sexy, predatory smile, “You’re done,” he says and steps back. I let out the breath I was holding and shoot a quick glance at Cole, who is staring at us with what is now, definitely, desire. I quickly step back as well, as I don’t think now is the right time to push this issue.
“Thank you,” I say loudly.
“You are welcome,” Devon says, that sexy smile still in place.
Turning my attention to Cole, who has now adjusted his features into a more neutral expression, I hold out my arms to the side and cock my hip. “What do you think?” I ask.
Cole stares at me for a few moments. He clears his throat and steps towards me, saying, “You look beautiful.” He pulls me to him in a deep, possessive kiss that makes me smile inwardly.
Pulling away, he turns to Devon. “I look forward to undoing your handiwork later,” he says with a smile on his handsome face. Curious though, he asks, “Where did you learn how to do that with such ease?”
Devon looks taken aback for a microsecond before answering in his usual offhand manner. “Elizabeth taught me,” he says, catching me off guard. “She was a good teacher,” he adds softly.
Cole, knowing that he means me, nods swiftly and turns back to me. “Time to go?” he asks briskly.
I bob my head in response.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
A fter dinner, Cole is eager to resume his Q & A of Vampire knowledge. I am eager to share, as he seems so enthusiastic.
“What else?” I ask.
He hesitates and I know something bad is coming. “I need to know more about this sire and charge relationship. It’s complex, yeah?”
I sigh. “Yes. Which do you want to know of first?”
“Charge and sire,” he says.
“Well, my relationship with CK is very, very complicated. When he first turned me, I was naïve and innocent, and I was madly in love with him. He found me at a very vulnerable time in my life and he was everything I ever wanted. He loved me and took care of me. But things ended badly after a century of being together. After many years apart, we found each other again through a major hardship and we were together for centuries, but again, it ended badly, and we have been on and off since then. It’s no one’s fault, just circumstance, but I love him completely as he is my savior. You have to understand that he will always be a major factor in my life, as I will be with him. I will never be able to turn my back on him. I need him in ways that you won’t understand until you are one of us.”
He nods grimly. “And sire to charge?”
“Well, that is even more complicated in this situation. Devon is my only living charge. He means everything to me. If you want to be with me, you will have to accept our bond. We will always be together. He’s not going anywhere,” I say impassioned, hoping he will understand.
He nods his acceptance, albeit reluctantly. I am hoping he will fully understand this once I have turned him.
“What will I feel for you after you turn me?” he asks.
“You will love me just as you do right now. It will be more intense, a feeling of need other than want, but you need to be able to separate the feelings. I need you to be able to recognize that you want me, not just need me.”
“Why did you choose Devon over Constantine?” he asks suddenly.