Was this a compliment or an insult? I wasn’t sure but found I liked the challenge regardless. “And?”
“You seem to be forgetting a very important point.”
Impatient, I spoke too soon. “Which is?”
“I don’t like you, Salem Black.”
Fuck.
Why did my body react so fiercely to her sensual voice saying my name? My cock betrayed my lustful thoughts the moment she stood in defiance and obstinate pride. I’d been hard repeatedly for hours and it was becoming painful. The surge of lust, desire, and possessiveness seemed to deepen the longer we remained in the same room together.
Why did the thought of her hatred spur my sexual need to such dizzying heights?
“You’re arrogant, rude, condescending, and you nearly killed me. Why should I care what you have to say?”
“Because you’re in danger, my precious,” I replied, grinning much too widely. “You seem to have forgotten your stalker.”
Her eyes widened and she bit her lower lip. As her small, perfect teeth tugged on the pink skin, I was forced to look away before I pulled out my hard and swollen length and shoved it down her throat. The image that I conjured in my head was enough to make me groan aloud. I held myself in check, but barely.
“You’re right. I do need your help.”
There. That wasn’t so hard. She finally admitted it. “I’ve been continuing my research and I have an idea.” The sudden impulse to explain things to Piper and earn her trust was overwhelming. “I need you to trust me. No harm will come to you.”
Scoffing, she shook her pretty head. “You already forced yourself on me, Salem.” Her saucy glare was back. “And you drank from me without my permission.”
“I promise to ask for your permission next time.”
She pursed her lips at the insinuation. I knew she was tempted to argue but she didn’t follow through with the impulse. “Fine.”
“Now, do you think you can focus? I can feel your energy and it’s all over the place. You must calm down and relax. That is my first order.”
She opened and shut her mouth twice before nodding in silent agreement.
“Good.”
“And the second order?”
I was overcome with the naughty idea to tell her to kneel and open her mouth. Later I would find an opportunity for pleasure as soon as I tracked down this mysterious entity threatening my syphon.
“We meet with an old friend. I need you on your best behavior.”
The look on her face was priceless. Piper had a wild streak and a fiery personality. I absolutely loved it.
“Will he help us?”
“Maybe,” I confided, “If he makes it through to the end of the meeting.” My ‘friend’ was a bit too forward with females and an unpredictable ass. Still, he was someone I trusted. In my world, that meant something.
Confused, Piper tilted her head to the side and contemplated my response. “Alright, I’ll trust you with this, Salem. Don’t let me down.”
Oh, I’d toss her down and thrust into her soon enough, and Piper would love it.
My reaction was so fierce that my fangs dropped, peering down over my bottom lip. The response was strongly related to the deep connection that was growing between us. I think she felt it, too.
“Before we leave, I have one condition.”
She rolled her eyes. “What?”
“This place we’ll be going to is dangerous. You will obey me without question. I can’t be assured of your safety if you decide to exert more unnecessary attitude.”
Surprisingly, she nodded. “Okay.”
“I must know where you are at all times, so you’re not allowed to leave my side. Things can escalate quickly. Your safety is important so don’t do anything foolish.”
“Agreed.”
Arrogant and bossy asshole.
My head swiveled in her direction as her thoughts drifted in the air as clearly as if she spoke them aloud.
Full realization sank in as my entire body trembled. How could I have missed such a vital piece of this puzzle? Piper was so much more than a syphon.
Archer must have known. Judging by his reaction, I was in little doubt he enjoyed the fact that I was still ignorant. Spinning around, I fought against the compulsion to spill my guts and tell Piper the truth. She was my mate.
How the hell did this happen? It was only possible if an exchange of blood had taken place. In order to be connected on such an intimate level, there had to be a fated origin and genetic compatibility. She was half immortal to be a syphon. Anything less wouldn’t have worked. There was one other crucial detail. She had to be a breeder.
I knew instantly what had taken place as my dick throbbed in my pants, consumed with arousal at the knowledge of what Piper would become and how she would change my entire existence.
The blood bond had begun.
Fuck.
“Why can’t we meet with your friend now?” I asked, nearly whining. I was bored as hell and I wanted to find out who my unknown stalker was before the time dropped down to zero and I was killed.
“We must wait. I have sent an invitation. Supernaturals do not live according to human time. Our hours and days are nothing when faced with immorality. He could take weeks to confirm.”
Weeks?
Shit. I’d never make it.
Salem arched a brow as I began to pace. “Need something to occupy your thoughts?”
“No.” I wouldn’t succumb to his teasing and innuendos. He was always trying to bait me.
“Do you need alternative suggestions for pleasurable activities?”
Stopping immediately, I walked up and pointed a finger into his chest. “Stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“This idiotic flirtation combined with annoyance. It’s getting under my skin.”
A big dopey grin appeared on his face and softened the hard lines that appeared when he was angry. “I don’t have any idea what you mean.”
Liar.
He chuckled lightly.
My attempt to stroll through his garden alone a few minutes later was thwarted when he followed me so closely that I could feel his cool breath on the back of my neck.
“Stop following me around,” I ordered as I spun and faced him.
“I’m simply making sure that you’re safe. This is the natural consequence of that decision.”
What an ass!
“You’re annoying.”
“Why am I annoying?”
“Because you are,” I spat.
“I think I need more clarification.” His lips twitched with his response as if the entire situation was humorous.
“Why do you do that? Don’t you have another female you can bother?”
“Like who?” he asked, genuinely interested in my response.
Hep crossed my thoughts briefly, but before I could say her name, I decided I didn’t want him to know of her mild infatuation. The thought of Salem bugging another woman this way was both irritating and mildly hurtful. Why the hell would I feel that way? I didn't know this man – correction, vampire – at all. Why would the green monster of jealousy decide to show its ugly face?
“No one,” I grumbled.
He reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers. I frowned and tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let me. Holding tight, he even whistled.