by Tori Leigh
I had a sip of the pink drink. It was delicious. I literally felt like a million bucks.
I took my time finishing the meal, relishing it, grateful that I was alone so I could devour every crumb without being embarrassed. But then I checked the time—crap! I needed to get ready for the party. I hustled to my room, woefully but gleefully full. I glanced at Gabriel’s big, dark bed again, and sighed. I must not think impure thoughts. I must not think impure thoughts about the Master.
Oh Jesus, Audrina. Stop.
I did stop, dead in my tracks, when I got to my room. Mr. Finn had hung up my gown outside the closet. It was literally the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen. Strapless, the top was fitted, the skirt full. It was blush-pink, one of my favorite colors, and it sparkled like it was magic.
A pair of high-heeled gold sandals stood beneath it.
I let myself gape for another full minute and then hustled to the shower. If I was going to wear something as gorgeous as that dress, I needed to be clean, and my hair and makeup needed to be flawless. Nervous excitement bubbled inside me as I climbed under the hot water. I was anxious about the party, but at the same time, I couldn’t wait to try the expensive shampoo and conditioner. It was ridiculous—I was like a kid in a candy shop, sniffing each bottle and lathering myself with three different kinds of shower gel. But everything smelled so good, I couldn’t resist.
I dragged myself from the luxurious shower before I was ready; I had to hurry. I wrapped my hair in a towel while I inspected the bathroom cabinets, finding everything I needed: a hair dryer, mousse, lotions, and a ton of brand-new, designer makeup. Winnie would lose her mind with all these beauty supplies. Gabriel might not know what Sephora was, but his staff had certainly figured it out.
I rarely, if ever, put much effort into my appearance. Vivian forbade me from dating, and I didn’t really have friends at school—because I wasn’t allowed to do anything outside of school. I didn’t want to attract any attention, so I usually just pulled my hair up into a messy bun and didn’t bother to wear any makeup, all the better to fade into the background.
But I vowed to do my best that evening. Winnie had harangued me into watching more YouTube makeup tutorials than I could count. I reminded myself of what I’d learned—how to apply eyeliner, how to make my blush look natural—and I was pleased, and relieved, with the result. With my makeup carefully applied, I looked pulled together, even though my heart was still hammering in my chest…
I blew my hair out, brushing it until it shone, and then styled it so it snaked over one shoulder. I hoped that Gabriel would think I looked sexy; but deep down, I feared that I looked like an idiot playing dress-up.
Game face, Audrina. Game face.
But my nerves mounted as I headed to my room. I was going to a cocktail party, my first ever. My date was a gorgeous, mysterious land-baron billionaire with a secret underground lair. We were supposed to act like an actual couple, not what we were—a paid arrangement. I swallowed hard. You can do this. But could I?
I dug through the drawers and found undergarments that looked as though they’d been purchased to match the gown—a blush-pink strapless, lace bra, and matching high-cut underwear. Holy hell. I’d never worn lingerie before—I felt positively sinful as I pulled it on.
I glimpsed myself in the full-length mirror. Damn. Expensive lingerie was expensive for a reason. I looked hot!
But I was being an idiot. I needed to focus on meeting Gabriel’s brothers and the rest of his circle at the party, not what my ass looked like in a four-hundred-dollar lace thong. My nerves started to get the better of me again. I quickly zipped up the dress and put on the shoes.
Then I took a deep breath and turned to the mirror. Damn. Expensive dresses were expensive for a reason. I looked like a fairytale princess!
“Audrina?” There was a knock on the door. “Are you ready?”
I gathered my courage; the gorgeous gown made it easier. “Yes, Gabriel. I’m ready.”
I grabbed my bag and went out to meet the Master.
14
GABRIEL
Good thing I was immortal, because I would’ve dropped dead at the sight of Audrina in that dress.
I gaped at her. The gown was strapless, all the better to showcase the creamy, pure skin of her chest. The pale-pink color sparkled against her complexion; her cheeks were lit with a shimmery glow, her eyes bright with excitement. Somehow, between the dress and the confidence she seemed to find in it, Audrina’s beauty transformed into something even more extraordinary. She was so lovely, it almost hurt to look at her.
The pink material skimmed her curves, showing off her hour-glass figure. She’d pulled her hair over one shoulder, which showcased her pale, graceful neck. My mouth pooled with water while my cock stiffened with hot, unbridled desire. I’d never seen a more beautiful woman, never smelled a scent that called to me so overwhelmingly. I didn’t know what I wanted first from her—her blood, her maidenhead—I only knew I craved her, the need pulsing through me like shock waves.
She smiled at me. It was staggering, like sun entering a long-sealed crypt. Something inside me cracked open.
“Audrina.” I bowed to her, trying to locate my manners. “You are stunning.”
“T-Thank you, Gabriel. The dress is unbelievable—I’ve never worn something so beautiful.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you for choosing it.”
She seemed eager to please me, which made my heart swell.
Her smile deepened. “You look very handsome in your tux.”
“No one will be looking at me this evening—that I am sure of.” I held out my hand for her. “Shall we?”
Audrina nodded, but I caught the bobble in her chin. “Are you nervous?”
“A little,” she admitted.
“Don’t be. All you have to do is stay by my side all night.” I pulled her against me as we strode down the hall. Having her close was a powerful sensation. There was something physically heavy between us, though unseen. I wondered if she felt it, too.
Then I had an idea. Which was why you should never trust a vampire. We are full of ideas.
“I wonder… Would you grant me permission to touch you this evening? At the party, I mean,” I said quickly. “And by touch, I mean run my hand down your back, hold your hand, put my arm around you—flourishes like that. So that our relationship appears real.”
“Yes—of course.” Her cheeks turned pink. “You have my permission to touch me. At the party,” she added quickly.
Her heart skittered in her chest, and I caught a whiff of her scent again, the one from between her legs. She might not know what she wanted, but I could still give it to her. Fuck. I yearned to bury my face down there, to take that tender bud of hers in my mouth, pleasure her until she screamed, then plunge my fangs into her open, creamy thigh while she begged me to plunder her and take her virginity…
Christ. And she was going to let me touch her at the party? She’d just granted me permission. My mind went wild with the possibilities. There were going to be dark corners we could lose ourselves in, private rooms with doors that locked…
But then I glanced at Audrina again, and I stopped myself. No. She was so beautiful, so innocent. She clung to my hand. I could tell from her scent and her heart’s jagged patterns that she was nervous about the party, nervous about being so close to me. I would not take advantage of her.
It was going to be a long fucking night.
“So… Where is the party?” she asked when we reached the elevator.
“At our club.” I hit the down button and her eyes got wide. “It’s a few levels below here.”
“B-Below?”
I nodded as the elevator doors closed. In the mirrored panels, I could see Audrina’s unforgettable ass. My cock strained against my pants. Down boy.
I squeezed her hand, which I refused to let go of. “Like I told you, it’s safer for us to be underground. It’s easier to screen all of our guests.”
Her eyes were hug
e in her face, her luscious lips parted slightly. “Are you ever going to tell me more about your family?”
“Yes.” I stared deep into her eyes. “But tonight, we must focus on Iulian and Bianca. And also, having everyone believe that we are a couple. I didn’t want to alarm you, but I’m afraid we’re going to be a bit of a scandal. My brothers are already up in arms that I’m bringing my new girlfriend to the festivities. Everyone will be talking about us. That’s why it’s imperative that you stay with me all night.”
“Do you think… Wait.” Audrina frowned. “Is there a way to stop this thing?”
“The elevator?” I immediately hit a button and we silently, smoothly halted, suspended between floors. “Done. Why?”
“I need… I need another minute.” Her throat worked as she swallowed. “We didn’t talk about our backstory. It’s like studying for a test—I need to be prepared.”
“Backstory?”
“Yes. You know—how did we meet? Where am I from? We can’t tell them the truth.” She fidgeted. “What have you told your brothers?”
“Only that I have a date.” I frowned, thinking about it. “I will tell them I met you on a business endeavor—because that’s true, and we should stick as close to the truth as possible.”
Audrina nodded. “If anyone asks, I’ll tell them I’m a student. Which is also true. No one needs to know it’s high school.” She laughed nervously. “And we can tell them I’m from outside the city. It should all be simple enough, I guess.”
“Yes. The simpler we keep it, the better. I appreciate that you’re thinking about these sorts of things.” Honestly, she impressed me. She could be satisfied with being the most delectable of virgin arm candy, and yet, she was making an effort to make our arrangement successful.
I reached for her other hand so I was holding both of them. We stared at each other for a beat. “Are you ready, Audrina? Do you feel prepared now?”
“A-Almost. But there’s one more thing.” Her heart hammered in her chest. “If we’re really a couple—at least, if everyone’s going to believe that we’re really a couple—we should be a little more comfortable with each other, don’t you think?”
She took a step closer, chest heaving, and I bit back a curse. How was I supposed to restrain myself? Her scent rolled over me in waves, knocking me down and threatening to drag me out to sea. My entire body vibrated with need.
Audrina looked up at me, her eyes wide. “Would you k-kiss me? Or can I kiss you? I think it would make it easier—you know, if we just broke the seal.”
“You want to do this now?”
“Y-Yes.” She nodded. “If we’re going to be touching each other tonight, we should be…natural.”
She took another step closer, lifting her chin, staring up at me with her big, dark eyes. “So… May I?”
I hesitated before answering. There were several problems with her proposal. First of all, I had a huge, screaming erection. If she came any closer, she was going to run into it. Second, she was giving me permission to touch her, right there in the elevator and for the duration of the party. In vampire code, meant that for the time being, I was free to ignore the vow I’d made. I could plunder her with either my throbbing cock or my fangs—which were about to pop out—or even better, with both. All that stood between me and her maidenhead was my self-restraint, which had never before been pushed to such a hard limit.
“Of course,” I said smoothly. I held perfectly still. “You’re right—we should be comfortable with each other. Please, proceed.”
I didn’t move as she inched closer. She tentatively put her hands on my chest, and I sucked in a deep breath. Her touch burned, lighting a fire inside me. It took every inch of self-control I had not to wrap my arms around her, to pull her against me and take her right there…
“A-Are you sure?” Her voice was a whisper.
I nodded, once.
“Could you put your arms around me?” Audrina tilted her chin. “I feel like this is pretty one-sided.” She laughed, but I caught an undercurrent of self-consciousness.
“I can assure you, it’s not.” My voice was strained. “Come here.”
She obeyed and closed the distance between us. There was no denying my erection—it pressed against her, throbbing. She sucked in a deep breath, her eyes wide.
“Forgive me.” My voice was thick, heavy, just like my cock.
She shook her head, eyes still wide. She didn’t say anything. I wondered what she was thinking…
She pressed herself against my hard length, adding pressure. Audrina looked up at me, gauging my reaction. I stared down at her, holding myself perfectly still. She moved closer still, rubbing a little against my cock, and I couldn’t help it—I moaned.
Audrina’s eyes lit up with wonder. She rolled her hips against me and I moaned again, a guttural, animal sound. Her expression was surprised, almost stunned, as though she couldn’t believe I would react to her touch in such a way.
She rubbed herself against my erection again, adding friction.
“Audrina. What are you doing to me?” The question came out strangled.
She still didn’t speak, as though her words would break the spell she had me under. Her eyes glittered with excitement. Her breath was coming fast. Ah. My erection raged between us, throbbing. And did I imagine it, or did a hard glint sparkle in her eye? Her cheeks flushed, and a hint of a satisfied smile ghosted her lips. She looked…triumphant, as though she’d won something.
She pressed her body against me again, with more force, grinding herself against my erection. And then she took my face in her hands and put her lips to mine.
The combination of physical contact was too much—desire exploded inside of me. It took every inch of self-control I had—every time I’d spared a human life, every time I’d denied myself the pleasures of human flesh—an eternity’s worth of practiced self-denial was the only thing that prevented me from taking her right there. It was torture.
But I allowed myself one small luxury. I opened my mouth, my tongue seeking hers. Torture though it was, it was exquisite.
Our tongues connected and now it was Audrina’s turn. She moaned, melting a little, and I put my arms around her to hold her up. She deepened the kiss, tilting her head so I might plunder her mouth the way I yearned to plunder her maidenhead. My tongue roamed, searching her, tasting her, devouring her, sending shock waves down to my core.
She ground herself against my cock. She was ready for me—I could sense the heat, the wetness, emanating from between her thighs. Her body called to mine, yearning, desperate. All I had to do was lift her up and press her against the wall of the elevator. My monumental cock could finally get inside and thrust and thrust until she screamed my name, begging for me to finish her, begging for me to fill her forever—
Christ, Gabriel! The party! I had to keep myself under control. Otherwise I would stay in this elevator with her for eternity, or until we ran out of air.
“Audrina.” I pulled back, breathing hard.
She wobbled a little. Her eyes were dazed, glassy. “Y-Yes?”
I took several deep breaths, trying to calm the storm of desire that raged inside me. Easy, Gabriel. She couldn’t know how desperate I was for her, how overwhelming my desire, how her life would be forever changed if I pierced her. It would scare her to death.
When I thought I had control of myself, I cleared my throat. “So… Have we broken the seal?”
“Ha.” She straightened her dress and took a deep, shuddery breath. “I t-think we’re good.”
But I felt her disappointment, keen and undeniable. She wanted me. She wanted me now. She wanted me to take her, to be her first.
Again, I felt the angels smiling down on me. Me, the devil himself, king of all devils. My very own angel is here. And she wants me. She is Mine. A savage snarl built in my chest. I hadn’t realized just how deep my desire ran for the girl, but having tasted her sweet mouth, I knew I would do anything—anything—to keep her. To claim her.
Again and again, for all eternity, until we both burned down to ashes in hell.
I was ruined—I would ruin us both. And I didn’t give a fuck.
I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile as I adjusted my jacket. “I think so, too.”
15
AUDRINA
Gabriel hit the down button, and I shakily put on more lip gloss. I smoothed my hair and straightened my dress, checking the mirror to make sure that I looked presentable.
Fuck. Never had that word held more meaning for me. That was the word that’d just been on the edge of my lips—I’d been about to beg Gabriel Dalca to do it to me, right there in the elevator. Fuck me. Take me. I didn’t care about crumpling the fancy dress. I didn’t care that it was my first time. I didn’t care that he was a stranger who was probably twice my age.
I didn’t even care that I had no idea what I was doing—I’d felt his enormous, hard length and it had done something to me, or rather, undone something inside of me. I had zero experience, but I could tell that he was huge. I’d never had an anaconda pressed up against me, but I imagined it was about the same feeling.
And intimidating as it was, I…wanted it. I wanted him.
A rush of desire, more powerful than anything I’d ever felt, had flooded me. And even though I didn’t know what to do, I’d known exactly what I’d wanted to do.
Fuck, I thought again. I was about to meet his entire family at a fancy society party and all I wanted to do was go back upstairs to Gabriel Dalca’s big, black bed. And finally let him show me what he had going on underneath that suit. And never leave his powerful arms…
I was still shaking with desire as the elevator doors opened.
Gabriel clasped my hand and leaned closer. “Thank you for being my date. You’re so gorgeous, it wounds me,” he said, his voice low. “I’m the luckiest bastard on earth. Don’t look at another man tonight, because I’ll have to kill him if you do.”
