Had I been able to, I would have gasped. "You read my mind?"

"I told you. Most of what you see in movies about us is true. It's just that many believe we are a myth."

"B-but. You read my mind!" I screeched. Then I processed his other words. "You said Haven likes, not Haven used to like. He's alive!" I shoved him although he didn't go anywhere. His back was against the side of the tub. "You tell me where he is and I'll make it 'used to like'! I want him in the ground for what he did to me."

All the warmth, or imitation of warmth, I had seen come into his eyes since seeing him again, drained away. Andreas' face hardened. He was not the kind of man who gave into what he didn't want, no matter what. I had totally used every charm at my fingertips all my adult life to get what I wanted, including tears. Something told me if I were to cry and beg Andreas for anything he wasn't willing to give, he would be unmoved. The man didn't have a heart for real. He seemed like he acted on duty alone.

"So that you understand, Ree, I must tell you plain and simple. My brother is the only family I have, has been for centuries. My parents were never vampires. They died normal ages for the times we lived in. In life, as in death, I spent much of my time helping my brother with one woman after another. One in particular was more than either of us could handle."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning she turned him. He came to me, and I had the idea that I could kill her. She turned me." If possible, his temperature dropped even lower than his usual icy chill.

"Haven likes a lower cla.s.s woman."

My hand came up even before I realized, to slap him. He caught my wrist and pressed both my arms to my sides. He dragged me up close to him so that my b.r.e.a.s.t.s were crushed between us.

"You're a stuck up, piece of-"

He covered my mouth in a kiss, too hard for me to escape. After a while when I was calmer and frankly on fire for more, he pulled back.

"I had enough of your friend's mouth the night I turned you."

"Go to h.e.l.l."

"I'm there."

I rolled my eyes. "This?" I indicated the richness of our surroundings. "Boy, please.

You've got it made. That's why you think I'm lower cla.s.s, beneath you. Funny, you can't keep your hands off me. Men like you are all the same. You want to think you're better than us commoners but you want the cootchie in secret."

"You're right."

I blinked. "What?"

He shrugged and released my hands so he could grab hold of my rear and guide me higher on his lap. "I want you, probably as much as my brother wanted you. Your body makes me burn. Even the way you speak intrigues me. There's no doubt we come from two different backgrounds, and I shouldn't feel like I'm better just because of that. But I don't mince words, and I don't make pretenses. Just like every other man that has been with you, I want to own you."

My eyes widened and I drew back, ready to attack him again.

"No like that," he frowned.

"Is there any other way?"

He lifted me higher so that my b.r.e.a.s.t.s were visible above water level. "Look at those.

Your b.r.e.a.s.t.s are so big and firm, the nipples ripe for sucking. Your skin is smooth and creamy brown. Just scenting your sweet tangy aroma, I want to lose myself eating between your legs."

I began to shake. I had taken many men to my bed, but not one had me ready to come with his words alone. Andreas bent forward and kissed my belly just above my navel. He licked my skin from there up between my b.r.e.a.s.t.s and then teased my neck, nipping briefly but not drawing on my blood.

"I didn't train you because I could feel it," he confessed.

"Feel what?"

"Feel that instead of owning you as I craved, you would own me. I would bow to your sweet perfection and be lost in your command."

Oh man, if I could pant right now.

"Ree..." His call was tortured. He shook me just a little, as if to get my attention. He had it. d.a.m.n if he didn't have it. "I want your legs to open only for me. I want you feeding only from me. If I have to drink twice a night to supply you, so be it. Eventually you will grow strong enough to go longer periods in between."

I can't say I didn't still resent the way he said he wanted to own me. But then again, he had admitted to the fact that I could own him too. Maybe my tears would not affect this powerhouse of a vampire, but my s.e.xuality would. I bet I could wiggle my b.r.e.a.s.t.s in his face and brush against him, and he would give me what I wanted.

Some girls were career women, who loved standing on their own two feet, not depending on anyone. For the most part, that's how Ch.e.l.le was. Even if she was dirt poor, she would do it herself. Me? I wanted it all, and if I could get it from a man, h.e.l.l yeah I was taking it.

"So what does this mean?" I asked him. "Are you going to go ahead and teach me? Or are you going to let me have to keep running back to you to save my rear. I have to tell you, I don't like that second option."

He chuckled, the first time I had heard him do it. I thought the man was made of stone.

"Yes, I will train you, as long as we have an understanding. Do we?"

I was still terrified of feeding completely from a human, so he didn't have to worry about that, but maybe I could tease him a little, make him worry. At the flick of his brow upward, I remembered he could read my mind. I grumbled.

"We have an agreement, but the first thing I want to learn is how to read your mind and how to keep you out of mine!"

This time, he threw his head back and laughed a long while. It was like he hadn't done that in forever. I had the feeling I helped to bring him out of a dark place, or maybe that was wishful thinking. His eyes glowed bright when he looked at me again, the amus.e.m.e.nt still there.

He lifted me up to come down on his c.o.c.k. For a moment, we both moaned at the connection. Finally, he said, "I will teach you everything, Ree."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and laid my head on his chest. "What about your brother. Tell me the truth."

"He's alive. And one day when I know you won't try killing him, I will let you see him again. For now, I've made it plain to him, and I'm making it plain to you. You are mine, just mine."

I rubbed my nipples across his chest and watched him shudder. We began a slow grind together. His d.i.c.k filled me so full, I felt faint. My fangs descended and I positioned myself at his throat.

"Would you eat your come from my p.u.s.s.y?" I mumbled.

"In a human's heartbeat."

"Good. Then I will be yours...for now." I sank my teeth in to draw out his blood.

The End