"Are you any good at stealing?”
“Hello. I'm the best."
"Guaranteed you aren't better than me, but do continue with your story.”
“You steal things?"
"The hearts of women across the universe. Ow!" There at the end, she had pinched his nipple. "No more of that, or you'll owe me a new one."
She kissed it better, and he had to press his lips together to stop his groan. "I started stealing full time to feed Al— Macy," she said. "She was just a kid, left on the streets like a piece of garbage. I'd never needed food, but she did, so I learned to get it for her. I'd done some stealing for myself throughout the years, clothes, shoes, that sort of thing, but time hadn't been of the essence, so I'd never really honed my skills. I just waited until an opportunity presented itself. With Macy, I couldn't wait and I wasn't always successful. Had a few run-ins with the law until I learned the best methods. After we were separated, I kept it up so I wouldn't be rusty when she returned. And well, I liked owning pretty things. What about you? What kind of childhood did you have?"
"I was pampered," he said, each word measured. He prayed she left it at that. Not even Dallas knew about Devyn's parents, about the humiliating time spent inside that darkened cell. About his shame.
She gave his nipple another kiss. "That tells me nothing. Pampered doesn't mean happy."
No, it didn't. But that kiss, so sweetly offered, without any demand for repayment, soothed the bleakness of his memories as nothing else ever had. Even sex. "I was also ... repressed." Okay, that was enough of that. He quickly changed the subject, least he crumble and tell her everything. Would she be horrified if he did? Agree with his father that he was a bad, naughty boy in need of neutering? "How often do you need to feed?"
"To maintain top strength, I need to feed once a day, but I've gone weeks without eating before. Well, without eating a full meal."
And she'd starved. That would not happen again. Not while she was with him. "You'll feed once a day, and that's that."
"You won't be able to keep up. Who could? So I can—"
"Hell, no, you won't," he interjected. "I'll keep up," The thought of her drinking from anyone else roused the beast inside him. The thought of her enduring hunger pains because she didn't consider him able to give her more had the beast roaring. "Besides, you can't keep anyone else's blood down."
She huffed. "That's not true. I told you, the first sips are absorbed before I sicken."
"Don't even try it, Bride." His teeth were so clenched he had trouble getting the words out. He might not want forever from her, but he damn well wanted right now. "I swear to you now, I will kill anyone you drink from." Before she could comment, he sat up and tugged her with him. "We need to shower. Come on."
He stood, pulling her alongside him. Thankfully, she didn't protest. He linked their fingers and ushered her toward the stairs.
"We should put some clothes on, at least," she muttered halfway up. "Why? We're alone. I gave the servants the day off." Her eyes widened as she peered up at him. "You have servants?"
"We have servants, and yes. Eight of them." They were all Arcadians, given to him by Kyrin en Arr. "Have you slept with any of them?"
The question had held simple curiosity rather than anger. Did she not mind the thought of him with others? He popped his jaw. He'd just threatened to kill anyone she drank from, yet she couldn't rouse a spark of jealousy?
"I'd never had an Arcadian before, so I took four to bed the very first week I moved in." She laughed. Actually laughed. "God, you're a slut."
Seriously. Where was the jealousy? Why hadn't she demanded he fire the women immediately? "You're okay with that? Me, with four different women, one after the other? Women who still live in this house with me?"
"Why would I care? You're not sleeping with them now. Knowing you, you're already tired of the race. And as we already agreed, I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you."
Maddening, that's what she was. "I'll give you a tour later." She didn't deserve one now. At the top of the staircase, he veered right, passed the first four doorways, and stopped at the end of the hall. A quick thumbprint ID, and the last entrance opened. "This is our room."
Bride gasped when she stepped inside, and he bit back a smile. Just the reaction he'd been hoping for, he thought, suddenly filled with pride. The master suite was spacious, with a large bed covered in silk—real silk, not that fake shit— and mahogany furniture. There were mirrors on every wall, and portraits of naked females frolicking with each other.
Bride inhaled deeply, closed her eyes. "It smells wonderful in here."
Not as good as you. He released her hand but wasn't able to sever all contact, so he wound an arm around her lower back, spreading his fingers wide to touch all of her that he could. His pinkie sank between her cheeks. She didn't protest. She wasn't so maddening, after all.
"Bathroom is this way." He had to lead her to keep her from running into things because she kept her head turned, studying the room in wonder.
The bathroom was already open, and just as spacious. There was a claw-foot tub, a porcelain sink, and a shower stall with two waterspouts.
Again, Bride gasped in wonder. "My God. That's not... it isn't an enzyme stall.”
“No."
She faced him, trembling hands on his chest. His cock, already thickening and desperate for another go at her, brushed the cleft between her legs. "Real water comes out?"
"Yes."
Her eyes closed, and an expression of utter ecstasy consumed her features. "I haven't had one of those in sixty years or so."
"Let's not make you wait a second longer, then," he said huskily. He walked over to the stall and worked the knobs. A gust of water burst from the nozzle, stopped, and then a continuous spray emerged. Soon steam wafted, surrounding them.
Bride didn't have to be commanded inside. She pushed Devyn out of the way and stepped into the water. A delighted laugh chimed from her as the water pummeled her, splashing into her hair and soaking its way down her body.
Never had Devyn seen a more beautiful sight. She was an angel, a siren, and a goddess, all wrapped in Temptation's skin. Her joy was palpable, and he had given this to her, he thought, his pride intensifying.
Water was expensive, but damn if he wouldn't spend his last cent buying it for her from this moment on. Until you tire of her, right? He stepped inside, and hot droplets beat against him, massaging his tired muscles.