The Dance of Desire

CAROLINE

Anthony was sprawled over me, his muscular body pinning me to the earth. His leg was wedged between mine, his hand tangled in my hair, yanking my head back as his lips brushed my neck. His sudden movement caught me off guard, even though I had anticipated it, and I stifled a gasp.

A low moan escaped his lips, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through me. His tongue, warm and languid, traced a path up my neck, tasting, relishing.

I writhed beneath him, despising his suffocating grip on me, yet adoring it.

“I can’t seem to shake this taste from my memory,” he murmured, and my heart pounded in response. “I’ve been yearning for it.”

“You shouldn’t yearn for something you can’t possess,” I grumbled under his weight.

His laughter echoed through me, sending a delightful shiver across my skin. I felt his lips against my neck, his stubble tickling the sensitive skin. I arched my neck, granting him more access.

“You wouldn’t withhold from me what is already mine,” he whispered, raising his head, his hands gently squeezing the back of my head, tilting my head back farther, baring my neck to his fangs.

His vibrant crimson eyes locked with mine, a smirk playing on his lips. It made my heart flutter. A wave of heat washed over me. Whether it was anger or something else, I couldn’t tell.

I fought against him, feeling his fingers tighten in my hair, his hand curl around my neck. I had never felt so powerful and so vulnerable at the same time. Every move I made seemed to elicit a myriad of tiny reactions from him: his muscles tensed, a soft moan, a squeeze of his fingers, a twitch of his hips.

I was in control, yet unable to push him away.

“I’m not yours, you disgusting turned vampire,” I managed to say, my voice shaky. “I’m a vampire princess.”

He laughed, his finger tightening around my neck, drawing my face closer to his. It was almost painful. My heart pounded in my chest, my hands clung to his arms, trying to steady myself. I dug my nails into his muscles.

He hissed, his eyes flashing a bright crimson.

“Such a brat,” his voice lowered, shaking his head slowly. “With my hand around your throat, you are entirely mine.”

I couldn’t deny it. In this moment, sprawled beneath him, I was clinging to him as tightly as I could.

He hoisted me up abruptly, gripping my hips and positioning me on his lap. His large body leaned against the wall, his sturdy thighs beneath mine. Instantly, his hands seized my bottom, and he pulled me forward, my knees digging into the dirt beside him, my core pressed against the firm shape beneath his belt.

I let out a small gasp as a delightful burning sensation surged through me.

My face was level with his, my chest brushing against his. His eyelids fluttered for a moment, and I could hear his heartbeat. I could feel his blood pulsing through his veins—thick, rich, and enticing.

I was suddenly parched, my throat ached, and my eyes blazed crimson. The vein in his neck seemed to pulse. I leaned in closer, my fangs heavy.

Anthony hummed, his crimson gaze leisurely roaming over my body as his hands lifted and caressed my arms. His touch was as light as a feather, almost reverent. I watched his eyes as his fingers explored my arm, wrapping over my shoulder and then sliding across my collarbone.

This was Alexander’s method of feeding: seducing and waiting for the prey to surrender. Then strike. I hadn’t understood the appeal of this form of hunting; it was lethargic and slow. But, feeling Anthony’s solid body beneath mine, feeling the power I wielded over him as he relaxed into me, I was consumed by a wicked hunger—a profound satisfaction.

“Such fierce strength in something so petite, so fragile,” he murmured, his fingers trailing downward, between my breasts. Such a tantalizing touch, I yearned for his thick fingers to grip, to squeeze. “Such selfishness, such agony,” he continued, his palm brushing over my nipple.

I could hardly breathe. My thirst was tearing through me, pleading with me to give in, to take what I desired from him. I could envision his blood, delectable and sweet, trickling down my throat, sucking it from my fingers.

But his touch was so tender, so gentle and yet so delightful, I didn’t want it to end. I would rather bask in his gaze and envelop myself in his embrace than drain him dry.

A wave of realization washed over me, causing me to shudder. My thirst subsided, replaced by a pulsating heat that surged through me, settling deep within my core.

Anthony’s eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mix of hunger and anger. His lips parted slightly.

“Don’t provoke me, Princess,” he warned in a low murmur. “You can’t even begin to comprehend what I want to do to you.”

Without thinking, my arms wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling us closer together.

“I think I have a pretty good idea,” I whispered back, subtly shifting my hips against his.

Anthony let out a grunt, his fingers digging into my backside. His head fell back against the dirt wall, his throat exposed and vulnerable. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. I could easily tear his throat out in this position.

But that was the last thing on my mind. I was captivated by his long eyelashes, the high cheekbones pressing against his warm, golden skin.

He was beautiful in a rugged, untamed way. He was nothing like the clean, well-mannered purebloods I’d grown up with and danced with—the ones I’d once considered potential suitors. Anthony was considered beneath them, a turned vampire and a guard. Someone I’d passed by for centuries without a second glance.

Yet here he was, the man I was currently entwined with. The only man I could think about. The only man I desired.

My heart pounded erratically, struggling to comprehend why I was suddenly flooded with blood. My throat was parched, but my thighs were slick.

I studied his face, searching for any hint of his thoughts.

“Have you ever been held like this by another, Princess?” he asked, his eyes sparkling in the dim light. I could feel his breath against my throat.

“No,” I admitted in a whisper. His grip on my hips tightened.

“Do you enjoy being wrapped around me like this?” he asked, his voice rough. A quick thrust of his hips caused my eyelids to flutter.

“Yes,” I gasped out.

He let out a hiss of approval, leaning in to inhale my scent deeply, his fangs grazing my throat.

I shivered under his touch, my hands clutching his broad shoulders.

“Such a good little princess,” he purred, his breath warm against my skin. “Marking me with your scent.”

I stifled a moan. That was exactly what I was doing. My body moved rhythmically, my heart pounded wildly as I rocked my hips back and forth, trying to quell the burning sensation between my thighs.

Trying to meld every part of me to him. His large hands gripped my backside, pressing me against his hard body.

“You’ll let me,” I whispered. “I want it.”

His groan in response nearly undid me, his fingers digging painfully into my skin as he pulled me against his arousal.

“If you haven’t figured it out yet, Princess, I’ll let you do whatever you want with me,” he hissed.

My face felt hot, and the burning sensation between my thighs intensified. I let out a small gasp as he began to move me faster and faster.

“Of course. I always get what I want,” I moaned. “I’m a princess; I’m just using you.”

Anthony’s response was a mix of a chuckle and a groan. His hand moved to my throat, pulling my face closer to his.

My hips continued their frantic movements over his lap as he stared into my eyes.

“Such a brat,” he muttered before crashing his lips onto mine. The surprise stole the breath from my lungs. His lips were soft but assertive, captivating and consuming mine.

His tongue pushed past my defenses, claiming my mouth. His fingers tightened around my throat slightly, his thumb tilting my chin up to better reach his face, controlling every angle.

I clung to his broad shoulders, leaning into him, tasting him. A wave of pleasure coursed through me, and I sucked on his bottom lip, biting down lightly.

His answering groan spurred me on, pushing myself closer to him, slipping my hands under his shirt.

“Princess…” Anthony groaned, pulling his scorching lips from mine and attaching them to my throat. For a moment, I froze, his lips, his fangs poised against my sensitive skin.

I knew he could feel my heartbeat, that he could hear it.

“I just want to taste you again,” he whispered, his large hands tightening around my hips, moving me again.

My mind was spinning. I wanted him to. I wanted to taste him as well. His gaze lifted, bright crimson meeting mine, his fangs heavy against his lips.

My breathing was ragged; I held his gaze as I bit down slightly on my lip. I felt the blood bubble to the surface, trickle down my lip.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Anthony drew my face to his, his lips claiming mine in a fervent kiss. He sucked on my lower lip, igniting a wildfire of pleasure within me.

I forgot all about the shame of being a vampire’s feeding ground. All I craved was more. More of his intoxicating taste, more of his touch, more of my hands exploring him.

He was mine to savor, mine to use for my own pleasure. My fingers traced patterns on his bare back, my hips moving faster, chasing the wild passion building within me.

“Anthony,” I moaned, my heart pounding in my chest. The wound on my lip was healing, but he kept it open, his tongue teasing it, sucking it.

“Just keep going, Princess,” he murmured. “Take what you want.”

My hips moved in rhythm with his, chasing my pleasure. But something was off; my pace felt clumsy. I tried harder, but my arousal seemed to be slipping away.

“I can’t,” I whimpered.

Suddenly, his hands gripped my hips, and with surprising ease, he lifted me, pulling me against his arousal at a frantic, biting pace. I almost gasped in surprise. Arousal surged through me, hot and sharp.

“Please,” I whimpered, barely able to hold onto him anymore. “Don’t stop,” I pleaded, my words drawing a throaty moan from him.

“You have no idea how fucking hard it makes me when you beg,” he murmured.

I couldn’t breathe anymore. My head fell back in a silent scream as waves of pleasure washed over me. Anthony grunted, his lips finding mine again, stealing any sound from my mouth, holding me to his chest as I rode out my first orgasm.

I was panting as I pulled back from his scorching kiss, my eyes glazed over with pleasure. Anthony kept one hand wrapped around my back, holding his chest to mine.

“You are perfect when you let go,” he murmured, his large hands caressing the side of my face. “When you give up control.”

I stared at him, my chest heaving. His words etched themselves deep inside me.

“I didn’t give up control,” I corrected. “I gave in.”

His green eyes twinkled as his expression broke into the most genuine smile I’d ever seen. For a moment, my heart stuttered, its rhythm erratic, completely thrown off.

“I could watch you give in forever,” he replied, licking his lips. I followed his movement.

“We could have this every night,” I murmured. “We could run together.”

“If we survive tomorrow night,” he grunted. “I will come back for you in fifty years and have my way with you.”

My heart pounded. “I could run with you tomorrow,” I insisted.

His lips curled upward in a wry smile. “No, you will go back into exile. And when you get out, ~if~ you still want me, I’ll be waiting,” he replied, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear, his rough finger brushing against my skin.

I bristled with frustration. He was blatantly disregarding my wishes, denying me.

“I won’t want you,” I retorted.

His expression broadened into a grin. “We’ll just have to see then, won’t we, Princess?”

I wanted to wipe that grin off his face. I pushed myself off him quickly, brushing the dirt off my knees. Anthony just adjusted himself in his pants.

I moved away from him, but he just watched me, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Don’t touch me anymore,” I spat, purely out of spite.

Anthony’s smile only widened, and he nodded once, gesturing his head to the other side of the shed.

“Get some sleep, Princess; you’ll need all your strength. I think I smell enough like you to distract those hunters.”

My face flushed with embarrassment at his words, and I stormed to the farthest corner away from him and sank down into the dirt again.

Anthony let his head fall back against the wall and closed his eyes.

“I hate you,” I snapped.

“No, you don’t,” he chuckled. “Sleep, Princess,” he continued, not even opening his eyes.

I glared at him until exhaustion took over, and I slid into a deep sleep.

***

Alexander shook me awake, what seemed like minutes later. I hissed at him, swatting his arm away, but he just grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to my feet.

“We have to leave; the sun is setting,” he barked.

“Let go of me,” I whined, shrugging out of his grasp.

Alexander rolled his eyes and shoved me back. Behind him, Aya was watching him nervously, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Anthony was also already awake, peering out of the cracks of the shed.

“Aya and I will give you a head start of five minutes. No more than that, though. Once she’s safe, we’ll mask your scent from her. You’ll be on your own then. I’ll take Caroline’s scent east,” he declared, turning to face Alexander, his hand casually resting on his sword.

Alexander gave a solemn nod. “Find her afterward, when things have calmed down. Get her away from them,” he commanded.

Aya rolled her eyes. “I don’t need Anthony to play bodyguard. I know Tom.”

“Anthony is a trained royal guard. I won’t have anyone else looking after you while I’m inside,” Alexander retorted.

“Alex,” Aya’s eyes narrowed as she moved closer to him, shaking her head.

Alexander’s face softened instantly, and he reached out to pull her into his embrace. The moment felt so private; I turned away, only to find Anthony’s gaze on me.

“Mask your scent, and hand me that suitcase,” he instructed, moving past them.

I shot him a glare but complied. I took the herbs he handed me and tucked them into my jacket. I watched as Anthony gathered some of my clothes, stuffing them into his pockets, tying them around his neck. By the time he was done, he smelled more like me than I did.

A lump formed in my throat as I thought about the extreme danger he was willingly stepping into for my sake.

“Anthony,” I began, hesitating.

His green eyes met mine. “I’ll be fine, Princess,” he assured me, as if he could read my mind.

“Just don’t die for me. That’s too messy,” I managed to say.

“Don’t worry about me, Caroline,” he responded. “I’ve been through worse.”

I didn’t want to believe it, but I nodded slowly. Alexander was already reeking of the herbs he was stuffing into his clothes. He handed his jumper to Aya and shrugged on Anthony’s jacket.

When he was ready, he turned to me. “Do exactly as I say, keep quiet and obey, understand?”

I shot him a glare. “Fine.”

“I mean it—if you try to fucking run away, I will just leave you.”

I bristled. “I understand, Alex.”

“Good,” he turned, took Aya’s hand, and led her to the door. I could feel the sun had finally set. It was time to leave. We wouldn’t have much time before our pursuers found us here.

Aya braced herself against the wall and pushed the door open. “I love you, Aya,” Alexander blurted out.

“I love you,” she replied.

Anthony moved toward me, lowering his head and pulling my attention away from them. “I’ll see you on the other side, Princess,” he said, his soft lips pressing against my hand, his deep green eyes locked with mine.

I shivered, holding onto his hand. “Let’s go,” Alexander ordered, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me away from Anthony.

I had never looked back at anyone when I left. There was a certain grace in knowing they were watching me leave, but I never watched them go. I kept my eyes on Anthony in the doorway until the little cabin was out of sight and I could no longer hear his heartbeat.