Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
“You are my wife, Florence. And I will do whatever it takes to protect you.”
I look up at him, breath hitching as he gazes back into my eyes. I want to believe him. Hell, I want to trust him, too. But in the back of my mind, I can’t forget that he’s a very bad man and has done very bad things.
And for the life of me, I can’t make myself hate him for it.
“Okay,” I whisper, voice small. Apprehensively, I reach out, letting my fingers touch the material of his suit. Overhead light glints off the rock on my left hand and suddenly I realize exactly what it means to be Mrs. Xavier Malus.
I have to act the part. I have to obey.
It scares me as much as it thrills me.
“Now,” Xavier starts, hands settling on my waist. My eyes flutter shut as the want for him threatens to take over. “I need you to be a good little witch and use that emotion-sensing ability.”
“On who?” I ask, fighting to catch my breath. Xavier is well aware that he’s turning me on, dammit.
“Kristina Davis,” he says softly, leaning in so his lips brush against my ear as he talks. Holy fuck, I want those lips on other parts of my body. “She works for the coroner’s office and has alerted us to any deaths caused by vampires.”
I tip my head. “Why would you care about that?”
“Part of building a bigger community of vampires is offering protection.”
Slowly, I just move my head up and down. “So you cover up murders?”
“It’s not quite that simple.”
Just nodding again, I keep my thoughts to myself. Not only is Xavier dangerous on his own, I’m realizing he has half—if not more—than Charlotte’s influential people working for him.
“What do you want me to suss out?” I ask.
“See if she’s lying. A body was found a few days ago and the cause of death was quite clearly exsanguination from two puncture wounds on the neck.”
“A classic vampire overkill.”
“Yes.”
A few people come over near us, picking up plates to fill with dessert. With no warning, Xavier kisses me again, and if his hands weren’t around my waist, I would have fallen. Everything around me fades and spins at the same time. His kiss is electric yet drinks from my energy. I want—no need—more.
Sliding my hands up his chest, I hook my arms around his shoulders and press my hips against his. I can feel his cock, still flaccid, through his pants, and I’m already impressed with its size. Feeling like I’m suddenly unable to process a logical thought, my mind goes to imagining him on me, in me, and how fucking good it’s going to feel.
“Classic newlyweds,” someone says, voice pulling me back to the here and now. “Unable to save it for the bedroom.”
Breathless, I break away and remember that I’m in a crowded ballroom. Theo claps his brother on the back, laughing.
“Nice to see you two getting along,” he adds pointedly.
Stepping back, I feel blood rush to my cheeks both from being turned on and from the slight embarrassment of getting caught. If Xavier can tell I’m in the mood then so can Theo.
"I take it you handled the unwanted guests?” Xavier asks his brother, totally unbothered by the fact we just got called out for making out at a public event.
“They won’t be bothering us anymore,” Theo replies.
“What did you do to them?” I ask, gaze shifting from Theo to Xavier and back.
“Nothing you need to worry about,” Theo replies and I make a face.
“Seriously? You can’t leave me hanging. If you killed them, I have a right to know. They might be assholes, but they’re hunters. And I’m still a hunter.”
His brows furrow and he turns to Xavier. “You need to control this one.”
“She’s not easily controlled,” Xavier starts. “And I like that.”
Theo just shakes his head and goes off to talk to someone from the VC. I pick up a glass of champagne and go with Xavier to meet Kristina Davis. Right away, I can tell she’s jealous of me because she wants to fuck Xavier. I don’t blame her, because who wouldn’t want to have this beautiful man’s head between their thighs?
“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her and shake her hand after Xavier introduces us. “My husband has told me how much he appreciates what you do for our family.” It’s so easy to roll with this it’s almost unnerving.
“Oh, of course.” She smiles. “I’m happy to help.”
“Your earrings are really pretty,” I say and her smile grows. “My mother had a pair just like that. She got them in Paris way back when I was just a kid.”
“Oh my gosh, I got these in France! Not Paris, but a little town nearby like ten years ago.”
“You’re making me want to go back. Mostly for the food.”