How infuriating she was to raise his hopes so easily, and then dash them. But at least she was talking to him. And looking at him. And weren’t those lips devastating? Could he have one more kiss before he tucked her in?
Tucked her in? Hell.
Could he get beyond the age thing? Creed had never discerned age before, because if he did then he’d always end up the old man to the young women he’d pursued. Nine centuries was hard to beat.
“I want my own room,” she said, and started toward the stairs, strappy shoes dangling from a couple fingers. “It would be cruel of you to force me into your bed, vampire.”
Cruel, but wicked fun to watch her squirm to think he would try to take her only hours after meeting her. But, to his disadvantage, he was not that kind of man. Women must be pursued and seduced. Their favor must be won.
“You can take the room at the top of the stairs,” he said, following her upward. “Housekeeper keeps it made up for guests. It’s not as elaborate as my room, but until you’re comfortable with our situation it should serve.”
She strode to the door and turned, pressing her palms and hips into it, while leaning forward in a slinky come-on. The front of her wet dress clung to her breasts, exposing the dark curve of an areola.
Was she teasing? Or was it his heightened attraction to something so new and utterly baffling that had him seeing the sensual in her every move?
“Situation,” she pronounced precisely. “Is that what you call a marriage?”
“I’m sure it’s a much better word than you would choose.”
“You’re right. I call it a farce.”
He could not deny the word hadn’t crossed his mind a time or two.
“You did agree to the terms. And you said vows before a healthy number of representatives from both nations. And you signed the contract.”
“As did you. But do you really think this is going to work?” She patted the bottom of her hair with a palm and pouted coyly. “That we’ll fall madly in love and set an example that will bring the werewolves and vampires together in some kind of freaky lovefest? Come on, Credence.”
He did not care to hear his name spoken that way. The memories it stirred would only hamper his need to remain staunch and in control.
“Madly in love?” He pressed a hand to the door over her shoulder and leaned in. The move put her off, which pleased him. Come on, princess, you’re not allowed to tease without retaliation. “At this very moment, I can’t imagine that happening unless hell turns to ice. You, Lady Saint-Pierre, are standoffish, spoiled and contrary.”
“And you are an aristocratic bore.”
“Uneducated,” he countered.
“Old.”
“Uncouth.”
“I’m not sure what that means.”
He smiled. “Ill-mannered.”
“Ah. I’ll take that one. And I’ll counter with dull and uninteresting.”
Did she really want to play this game? Because he’d show her how far from dull he could get.
Creed slid a hand over the sparkling choker caressing her neck, fitting his fingers up under her chin. Her eyes flashed defiantly. A bit of the faery dust had nestled at the corner of her eye, glinting mischievously.
“Tease,” he countered softly.
“You like it though.”
That glint in her eyes would be his undoing. It challenged, bedeviled and defied with a knowing he thought her too young to possess.
“I prefer my women to follow through with their promises.”
“I’ve promised nothing,” she said.
“You promised to honor and obey me.”
“Obey was not in the vows. Trust me on that one, buddy.”
Now he smoothed his hand under her jaw. The jut of her chin was sharp. Every bone stood out, defining, creating remarkable dimensions to explore. Her flesh was soft, warm, alive. And beneath the flesh, her blood smelled darkly sweet, a wicked perfume.
“You had better not be thinking what I think you’re thinking, longtooth.”
The demeaning curse should not go without a swift slap.
Though he wasn’t taken to harming females, some could only be controlled with physical coercion. Like witches. And others. He’d once worked with a female vampire bounty hunter in the fifteenth century. She’d liked it rough.
But Creed had made a vow. And he had meant it when he’d promised her father he’d protect his daughter, and ensure no harm came to her. Some things in war and love were never fair game.
So instead, Creed leaned in for a kiss.
She was quick, sliding her fingers over her lips before he could make contact.
Creed tugged her hand away. She struggled, and because he didn’t trust his strength, he conceded, flinging back her arm and stepping away.
Pacing before her, he looked to the carpeting, not wanting to show her his defeat.
“You’ve already stolen one kiss from me,” she said, defiance brightening her tone. “The rest should be earned. If you can earn them, I’ll be more than willing to give them.”
And she slipped inside the guest room and slammed the door.
Creed fisted his fingers at the door. A nasty condemnation slid across his tongue, but he gave it no voice.
Turning and stomping down the hallway, he threw open the door to his bedroom.
“Green-haired wench,” he muttered. “Thought I’d had to deal with the last of your kind in the sixteen hundreds.”
Chapter Three
BLU TRACED A FINGER along the stainless steel kitchen countertop. Cold, precise, engineered for maximum inhospitality.
Much like her new husband.
The glass-fronted cabinets displayed many crystal goblets, snifters and shot glasses—and only a few plates. The wine fridge was as big as the regular refrigerator. She peered at the labels on the wine bottles. Some bottles had hand-printed labels and the years were from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. She was no expert, but did know some rare wines sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
“Nice. Bet he’d throw a fit if I tapped into one of those.”
Much as she’d like to witness a vampire conniption, wine didn’t interest her; she needed food. Sustenance. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday noon. Her prenuptial
