“I will think about it.”
“I would expect nothing less,” he says, standing again and turning to face me. I bring my legs up onto the table and raise myself to my knees, so I’m now looking directly into his eyes. This is better. He doesn’t think so as he shifts back a bit. His eyes drop to my mouth and back up to my eyes quickly and I mentally chuckle. He’s wondering what it’s like.
“Have you ever been bitten, Cade? I would imagine in your line of work it must be tricky to avoid, despite your magick blood.”
He sneers at me. “The day I let any of you get your fangs in me is the day I will kill myself.”
“But you don’t mind that I have drunk from you already?” I ask.
“That’s different,” he says shortly.
“How so?”
“A self-inflicted wound that I offered to you.”
“Hm,” I say. He seems to think there is a difference. I put my hands on his shoulders and he tries his best not to flinch under my touch. I drop my fangs and lean in close to his neck, inhaling deeply. “You know I could take you if I wanted to,” I say to him quietly. He remains perfectly still, wary of me like he would any other predator. He says nothing, so I lean even closer and even though I have no intention of biting him – not with the crazy rage that follows suit – I tilt my head to make him think I will.
He has his hand at my throat in a flash. “Try it and we’ll see just how invincible you really are,” he whispers to me.
I giggle at him and retract my fangs, pushing his hand easily from my throat. “You shouldn’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” I say, using the old Devon adage.
“No, thank you. I will not reduce myself to be a source of food,” he says stiffly.
“It’s not just about sustenance, Cade. It is also about pleasure. I can make you feel things you have only ever dreamed about.”
“I would rather shoot myself in the eye than be with one of your kind,” he says insultingly.
I am rather insulted. Jerk.
“Very well,” I say dismissively. “Let me know if you ever change your mind.”
“I can assure you, Mrs. O’Dell, that that will never happen. Think about what I said and get back to me, tomorrow. Your time is running out.”
“Fine. Why do you call me Mrs. O’Dell? Liv will suffice.”
“Someone has to keep reminding you of your wedding vows,” he says as he walks away. “Good day, Mrs. O’Dell.”
I pull my face at his retreating back in a childish move which makes me feel better but glad that no one else was around to see it. Oh, well. I will probably accept his proposal, even though I know the shitstorm it will cause, but mine is the only vote that counts so everyone else can just stuff it. I suppose I’m going to have to slink off to see Xane now and explain that he is about to have a ravenous baby Vampire waking up any time now in his hotel. Christ, I wish I knew how he would react. I know nothing about him.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN
I stalk across the casino and up the stairs to his office. I’m stopped by two enormous bodyguards, that must be Demons as they aren’t any other species that I know of. I glare up at them and tell them my name. They let me through without incident, fortunately. It wouldn’t do to stand there like an idiot while they checked to see if I was allowed entry. Most undignified.
“Liv,” Xane says slyly, “I knew you would come to me.” He leans over to give me a kiss on each cheek and I let him but then push him back.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but this is business. Unpleasant business,” I say seriously and his whole demeanor changes.
“What is it?” he says then, all brusque.
I go into my tale of woe about Jess, the stupid skank.
His face goes dark as he frowns. “So, one of you has sired a Vampire in my hotel?”
“I’m afraid so. It was unavoidable.”
“Well, I suppose the alternative wouldn’t have been great for business,” he says ruefully. His eyes suddenly snap up to mine. “Wait. Are you sure?”
“Sure, about what? That she is sired? Yes,” I say curiously.