too smart not to. Hell, you've already alluded to it.»
«Vampires do not exist.»
His temper flared even though she didn't deserve it. «We don't? Then explain why you're in my
wonder-fucking-land.»
Without taking a breath she shot back, «Tell me something-do civil rights mean anything to
your kind?»
«Survival means more,» he snapped. «But then, we've been hunted for generations.»
«And the ends justify any means for you. How noble.» Her voice was as sharp as his. «Do you
always use this rationale to snatch humans?»
«No, I don't like them.»
«Oh, except you need me, so you'll use me. Aren't I the lucky exception.»
Well, shit. This was a turn-on. The more she met his aggression head-on, the harder his body got.
Even in his weakened state, his arousal was a demanding throb between his thighs, and in his
mind he was picturing her bent over the bed with nothing but that white coat on… and him
driving into her from behind.
Maybe he should be grateful she was repulsed. Like he needed to get tangled with a female-
All at once the night of his shooting tunneled into his brain with total clarity. He remembered his
mother's happy little visit and her fabulous birthday present: the Primale. He'd been tapped to be
the Primale.
V grimaced and clapped his hands over his face. «Oh… fuck.»
In a grudging tone, she asked, «What's wrong?»
«My goddamn destiny.»
«Oh, really? I'm locked up in this room. At least you're free to go where you choose.»
«The hell I am.»
She made a dismissive noise, and then neither of them said another word until Butch brought
another tray in about a half hour later. The cop had the presence of mind not to say much and
move quickly-and also the foresight to keep the door locked the whole time as he made the
delivery. Which was smart.
V's surgeon was planning on making a run for it. She tracked the cop like she was measuring a
target and kept her right hand in the pocket of her coat.
She had some kind of weapon in there. Goddamn it.
V watched Jane closely as Butch put the tray on the bedside table, praying like hell she didn't do
anything stupid. When he saw her body tense and her weight shift forward, he sat up, prepared to
lunge because he didn't want anyone but himself handling her. Ever.
Nothing came of it, though. She caught his change in position from the corner of her eye, and the
distraction was enough to get Butch out of the room and the door relocked.
V settled back against the pillows and measured the hard line of her chin. «Take off your coat.»
«Excuse me?»
«Take it off.»
«No.»
«I want it off.»
«Then I suggest you hold your breath. Won't affect me in the slightest, but at least the suffocation
will help pass the time for you.»
His arousal pounded. Oh, shit, he needed to teach her that disobedience carried a price, and what
a session that would be. She'd fight him tooth and nail before she submitted. If she submitted at
all.
Vishous's spine arched all on its own, his hips swiveling as his erection kicked beneath the
sheets. Jesus… He was so totally and completely sexed he was on the verge of coming.
But he still had to disarm her. «I want you to feed me.»
Her eyebrows popped. «You're perfectly capable of-«
«Feed me. Please.»
As she came over to the bed she was all business and bad mood. She unrolled the napkin and-
V sprang into action. He took her by the arms and dragged her over his body, the element of
surprise shocking her into a surrender he was damn sure was temporary-so he worked fast. He
stripped the coat off her, handling her as gently as he could while her body torqued to get free.
Shit, he couldn't help it, but the urge to subdue her took over. Suddenly he was touching her not
to keep her hands from whatever was in that pocket, but because he wanted to pin her to the bed
and let her feel his power and strength. He took both her wrists in one hand, stretched her arms
over her head, and trapped her thighs with his hips.
«Let. Me. Go!» Her teeth were bared, fury iridescent in her dark green eyes.
Totally aroused, he arched into her and sucked in a breath… only to freeze. Her scent carried no
sultry sweetness of a female who wanted sex. She was not attracted to him at all. She was pissed
off.
V let her go immediately, rolling away, though making sure he had the coat with him. The
instant she was free she shot off the bed like the mattress was on fire and faced off with him. Her
hair