"If you don't intend to force yourself on me then why did you buy me?"
His lips twisted with sardonic humor. "Ah... the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question." Shay frowned but before she could probe him further, the car came to a silent halt. Viper held out his hand as the door to the limo was pulled open. "We have arrived. Shall we?"
Viper hid his amusement as Shay warily inspected the kitchen with its gleaming appliances and plain wood floor. Her gaze lingered on the gingham curtains and handwoven rugs before shifting to the copper pots that hung above the heavy butcher table.
The two-story cottage was beautiful, with what the real estate agent had claimed was a cozy warmth, but it could hardly compare to most of his residences.
When he had purchased the place his only interest had been in finding an estate that was secluded and easily defensible. After a handful of centuries every vampire needed a home where he could get away from it all and let down his hair.
Or more importantly his fangs.
Slowly turning to face him Shay frowned with obvious disbelief. "This is your home?"
Viper tossed aside the heavy cloak and followed it with the tailored jacket. He was left standing in a sheer linen shirt and leather pants.
He smothered another smile as Shay grudgingly allowed her gaze to stray over his body. Their time in the limo had revealed that she was not indifferent to his touch. And that she was as warm and passionate as any man could desire.
Soon he intended to have her warm and passionate beneath him.
And on top of him, to the side of him...
"One of them."
"How many do you have?"
He shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"I suppose not."
With slow measured steps he began to walk toward her, not at all surprised when she began backing away. She might be attracted to him but she would never allow an easy seduction.
It would be a tantalizing dance perfectly suited to entertain a jaded vampire.
"You were hoping for something a bit more grand?"
She grimaced at the thought. "God, no."
He continued to back her down until she came up against the refrigerator. "I have any number of mansions that I use to entertain, but this is my private retreat I prefer to be alone upon occasion."
"We're alone?"
His gaze deliberately swept over her tense features before lowering to the barely there outfit. When he had first seen Shay attired like a harem slave he had wanted to rip out Evor's heart.
In the privacy of his own home, however, he could not deny it held a certain appeal.
"There are guards upon the grounds and I have a human housekeeper that comes during the day, but for the most part we shall have the house to ourselves." His attention turned to the full curve of her mouth. "A delicious thought, is it not?"
"Delicious is not the word I would use."
He shifted until his body was fully pressed to hers. "You would rather be surrounded by hungry vampires? That could be arranged."
Her breath caught and the pulse in her neck thundered. "Stop."
He touched her cheek. "You'll have to move, pet."
"What?"
"You're leaning against the fridge. I can't get to my blood."