He gave a shake of his head as his arms wrapped about her, his hands instinctively lowering to cup her bare bottom.
"Are you attempting to drive me mad? Is that my punishment for having been foolish enough to purchase you from Evor?"
She grimaced as she gazed into his beautiful features. She could tell him that she would try to be a little less of a pain in the ass. But it would be a lie. He was still a vampire. And she was still his slave. And there was still someone, or something, out there who intended to have her blood. Being a pain was almost inevitable.
"I'm not very good at this." she admitted.
He gave a lift of his brow. "Good at what?"
"Relationships."
"Is that what we have?" he demanded. "A relationship?"
Barely aware of what she was doing her hands slipped beneath the heavy robe to stroke over the lines of his chest. She loved his skin. She had never felt anything so smooth. Like cool silk beneath her fingers.
"You're the expert, you tell me."
"You keep that up and I won't be telling you anything, I'll be showing you," he rasped, his eyes dark and his fangs extended.
She shivered with anticipation. She had no idea what sort of relationship she might or might not have with Viper. In truth, she would rather ignore the word relationship altogether. It always made her break out in a rash. But she was beginning to accept that having a lover wasn't such a bad thing. She breathed deeply of his exotic scent.
"I have always preferred action to talk," she murmured.
"You are—" He broke off with a rueful chuckle.
"What?"
"I have yet to decide." He reached down to brush his lips over her brow. "I only know that I should have my head examined for ever showing up at the auction house. You are destined to be a thorn in my side for all of eternity."
Her hands began to trail in a determined path downward when he gave a low groan and abruptly cupped her hips to lift her off the ground. Shay's heart lodged in her throat as her legs instinctively wrapped about his waist.
"Viper."
"You did say you preferred action," he murmured as he positioned her above his erection and thrust inside with one smooth motion.
Shay's head tilted backward as pleasure speared through her body.
"Yes... oh, yes."
Chapter Fifteen
Shay woke alone.
Well, not entirely alone.
There was a breakfast tray left on the bedside table, complete with an omelet, bacon, toast, hash browns, a carafe of orange juice, and an entire apple pie. There were also delicate ivory rose petals sprinkled over the sheets to fill the room with their musky scent.
More than a little unnerved by her night of passion in Viper's arms Shay managed to consume every bite on the tray. Then, after jumping in the shower, she attired herself in a pair of comfortable jeans and sweatshirt before losing herself in the vast maze of the mansion.
It wasn't that she was regretting her time with Viper.
Holy moly.
There wasn't a woman, demon, imp, or fairy who would regret being in his arms.
Still, she wasn't sure she was prepared to confront him so soon.
She found it far too difficult to think clearly when he was near. An embarrassing realization, but true. And now seemed a good time to be thinking clearly.
At last stumbling across a small, but lovely solarium she settled herself on a padded bench and breathed in the scent of rich earth and fresh flowers. There was something very peaceful about nature, she decided. A reminder that there was something far more vast and powerful than her and her troubles.
Allowing the silence to ease the tension that knotted her muscles Shay leaned her head against the cushions of her seat and heaved a deep sigh.
It was the sudden chill in the air that warned her that she was no longer alone. And that the intruder was a vampire. But not Viper, she acknowledged as she reluctantly straightened. Her heart wasn't leaping, her mouth hadn't gone dry, and her skin hadn't grown clammy. All symptoms of one very specific vampire.
Proving her instincts right Dante strolled around a large mound of daisies to offer her a charming smile.
"So you found the solarium."
She couldn't help but return his smile. Despite being a vampire there was something very beguiling about the man.
"It's beautiful."
"I'll tell Abby you approve. She is quite adamant that the only means of enjoying nature is to have it properly civilized behind glass." His smile widened. "Of course, she's also determined to civilize me as well, but with much less success."
"Civilize you?"
"It has been claimed that I am too much a warrior and not enough of a poet."
Shay could believe that. He looked like a wicked pirate with his long black hair and golden hoop earrings. But she was not so easily fooled.
"You forget, I've seen your library. If anything you're a scholar."
He gave a lift of his hands. "Good God, don't let that get around. I far prefer the image of a warrior."
She couldn't help but laugh. "My lips are sealed."
Moving forward he leaned against the edge of the marble fountain. At a glance he appeared utterly relaxed, but she didn't miss the sharp, piercing curiosity in the silver eyes.
"You know, I never did thank you for your assistance in helping me to rescue Abby," he said.
"It was fairly self-serving." She didn't bother to hide her shiver. "No one wanted Edra dead more than I did."
"You didn't have to take a spell blast meant for Viper."
Well, hell, wasn't that the truth?
She rolled her eyes. "Believe me, I've regretted that impulsive decision more than once."
His soft chuckle was nearly tangible. Shay had to wonder if vampires practiced their affect on women or if it was just a power that came with the fangs.
"No doubt." He tilted his head to one side, abruptly shifting the conversation. "Is there any reason you're out here alone?"
"Just catching my breath."
"Perfectly understandable. Shalotts have always preferred to be the hunter rather than the hunted. It's not pleasant being on the run from dangerous enemies."
Her hands closed in her lap as the familiar dread clenched at her stomach. "No, it's not."
His expression softened. "At least you are not alone. For all his arrogance, there are few I would rather have standing at my side than Viper."
Was that why he had sought her out? To convince her that Viper was some sort of knight in shining armor?
"If you do not mind, I would rather not discuss Viper."