Blood and Lace: 2. The Claim

His lips brushed her ear. “I am the Prince of this House. Everything here answers to me. And tonight… so do you.”

Her pulse kicked harder — a traitorous rhythm that made his eyes sharpen.

He moved so quickly she barely registered it until her back was pressed to the cold stone wall, his body caging hers in. The gloved hand that had been at her waist now braced beside her head. His other hand slid down her arm, fingers curling around her wrist with just enough pressure to remind her she couldn’t pull away.

“You came uninvited,” he said softly. “You wore silk and lace into a den of predators. Did you really think you would leave untouched?”

Her mouth opened, but whatever answer she might have given died when he lowered his head to her neck and—bit.

It wasn’t gentle.

Two sharp points pierced her skin in one swift, precise strike. The pain flared white-hot, pulling a gasp from her throat. She felt his lips seal over the wound, felt the heat of his mou