Except her legs wouldn’t move.
Just being near him had her body pulsing with need. If she left, she had no doubt nothing would change. Lucian was right. The situation they were stuck in was addictive. The tension wouldn’t just disappear because she willed it.
Which left one other option. One delicious, scandalous option.
How she longed to agree. To spend the night in his arms. Lucian was the best mistake she’d ever make.
His interest would wane in the morning. Hell, if she were lucky, so would hers. They’d be able to work together professionally.
As long as she didn’t let her feelings become engaged.
Other women had one-night stands all the time. Why should she be any different? She knew a future was not an option with a vampire. But a single night…
That was hers for the taking.
She lifted a hand to his face, cupping his strong jaw. He held still under her touch and let her make what decision she would. Go or stay.
Safety or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
“No biting,” she said before she could call the words back.
Fire leaped into his eyes. “Not tonight,” he agreed. “Not until you wish it.”
Which would be never. But she knew Lucian well enough to know he’d be able to control himself. After all, the man was old as the hills. He wouldn’t bite her accidentally.
He pulled the black clip from her hair and freed it to tumble around her shoulders. She looked up at him, waiting for the verdict.
“Perfect,” he purred, sinking his fingers into the curls.
“Not really,” she said. “But perfect for a night.”
One night. One chance.
She’d let him go in the morning. Really she would.
But not right now. For the next few hours, he was hers.
Wrapping a hand around the back of his neck, she pulled his head down to hers. Their lips clashed as lust pounded through her. Lucian wasted no time taking control. Holding her waist, he bent her backward as his tongue traced her lips, demanding entrance. Abbey was helpless to do anything but hold him and let him take the lead. He dominated her with a kiss, his tongue invading her mouth. Lucian held her as if she were featherlight.
He grabbed her hips and twirled her around toward the bedroom. A laugh escaped her before his mouth found hers once more. Excitement raced through her, and an odd sense of joy she hadn’t expected. She’d never thought her vampire lover would be playful. As he waltzed her backward, she twined her arms around his shoulders. With his lips on hers, it was easy to ignore the way she fit so perfectly in his arms, easy to push aside the insidious voice that wanted more than Lucian was capable of giving.
His hands slid lower, blasting the thoughts from her head. Her back hit the hard wood of his bedroom door as he stepped forward to mold his body to hers. She caught her breath as every hard inch of him pressed against her. The heat from his skin permeated her dress, making her fingers itch to strip her lover bare and run her hands over naked flesh. Her pulse thundered in her throat as she searched blindly for the doorknob. They needed a bed. Fast. Or she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions.
Cool metal met her fingers and she jerked the door open, tumbling backward into his bedroom.
She had a brief view of a large room, dominated by a king bed in the center, before Lucian pulled her back to him.
Hooking a finger around his tie, she let the silk play over her fingers as she tugged him forward. Seeing the lust in his eyes brought a grin to her lips. She’d once thought of him as a predator, and tonight he lived up to her assessment. Hunger shone plainly from his face as he looked at her like a man ready to devour her whole. Not that she’d object. Had anyone ever looked at her with such need?
Then again, no one had ever made her feel like her body was on fire. Like her skin was too sensitive to stand the soft material of her dress. The offending fabric needed to be cast off. Immediately.
As if reading her mind, Lucian undid the top button of her dress. His fingers caressed the curve of her throat, sending a shiver racing down her spine.
“Be sure, Abbey.” His words were gruff.
Stepping forward, she brushed her lips over his in a gossamer touch. “It’s not in your best interest to talk me out of this, vamp.”
“True enough.” Two more buttons snapped open.
Grinning, she tugged the tie from his neck before turning her fingers to his own buttons. He shrugged out of his jacket as she worked on his shirt. She made it halfway through the long row before losing her patience. Gripping the material with both hands, she ripped it open.
No protest left his lips as he stripped the ruined clothing from his chest.
“Oh, yes,” she purred, pressing her palms to his chest.
His skin was smooth beneath her touch. She drew her fingers down and felt his muscles clench at the movement. He was like a Greek statue. Perfect down to the last detail. Centuries of warring had created contours no mortal man could emulate.