All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,217

of my hand. Her body sags against me, the fight seeping out of her. I keep up my rhythmic swats but lighten them to a less punishing staccato until I’m barely brushing her skin.

Dahlia’s body heaves against mine as her breaths come out in gasps. After a few more moments, I stop completely and rest my hand on her blazing skin. She turns her face up towards me, her eyes wet from tears.

“What was that for?”

I smile and wipe away the stray tears escaping her lashes. “No reason is needed, cara, when one has an ass such as yours.” My fingers dig into her bottom, squeezing and kneading the muscles. With my hands, I demand that she let go and relax. After some coaxing, she slumps back over, completely limp. “But, truth be told, I don’t feel you give yourself enough credit.” Frowning, I skim my hand from her ass and up her spine to cup her head. “You shouldn’t have to sleep with someone to have a place to stay. And I want you to hear me, belissima: at no point did you sleeping with me to have use of a bed ever cross my mind. Sleeping with you? Yes, please don’t mistake that. I want to use your hot little body in every way imaginable, but not as a barter.”

Her face tips back up to me, her teeth worrying her lower lip. Her fangs are absent, and for an odd reason, I find myself missing them. I instantly cut off that line of thinking. Nothing positive would ever come from me turning another. Instead, I lean down and slide my fingers against her cheek.

“You… you just want me?”

Unable to resist, I graze her bottom lip with my thumb. “For tonight, yes. I want you. Now then…” I help her stand up, holding her steady as her legs quake for a moment. An unreadable look passes over her eyes, but she remains silent, looking between the dress and me. “Let’s get you dressed for the ball. You may be Cinderella, but I don’t wish to be late.”

“What if I don’t want to go?”

“Why not? You seemed excited just a few minutes ago.”

She starts nibbling on that damnable lip again. “That was before it hit me just how rich y’all must be. I’ll just stick out like a sore thumb. Can’t you just give me a night to remember with just you?”

Her request tugs at my heart. How easy it would be just to stay here and cocoon myself with her. But no, there are people waiting, and surprises to be had. “I’m granting you a night to remember. Trust me, as sexy as I am, there is so much more that awaits you.” I pull her hand up to my mouth and scrape her knuckles with my fangs. “Besides, be a good girl and go to the party with me, and I’ll have you for dessert.”

Shivers wrack her body, but she grins and nods. “Fine, if it means that much to you.”

I raise my eyebrow and cross my arms. “It means nothing to me. I can see these people any night I choose. I’m doing this for you, for a few reasons. Lift up your arms.” I dig into the box, under the dress, and pull out a strapless bra. Turning her towards me, I look up into her eyes, slowly inching my way towards her pert nipples. If she wants me to stop, she has all the time in the world to ask me. Her arousal floods my senses as I flick the tight bud of her nipple with my tongue before engulfing it into my mouth.

With a loud gasp, Dahlia reaches down and threads her fingers into my hair, pulling me even closer. “Arms back in the air,” I growl, biting down—just a nip before soothing the sting with my tongue. Her arms shoot up and her body rocks closer to me. Grabbing her hips, I draw her in between my legs, my mind absently noticing how well she fits cradled inside me. I ignore my brain and turn my attention to the other nipple, laving it for a few moments before giving that one a bite as well.

Dahlia squirms in my grip, but I just hold on tighter, her breaths coming in pants. With my tongue still wrapped around her nipple, I pinch her other one, not wanting her to feel bereft in any way. Her chest juts out even further, demanding I take more. Obliging,