Venice Vampyr (Venice Vampyr #1)

den, his lair. Whatever a vampire called it. She was at his mercy now.
     



Chapter Eighteen
     
    Raphael released Isabella and closed the door to his bedchamber behind them. She instantly moved away from him, and he couldn’t really blame her. She was frightened after what she’d witnessed. He shrugged off his coat and tossed it on a chair.
    “Sit down, my love, make yourself comfortable.”
    She straightened her spine and glared at him. “I’d rather stand.”
    “I think it’s only fair to tell you that any attempt at trying to run away from me will be a waste of your time. I’m faster, I’m stronger, and I’m motivated.”
    He opened a drawer and pulled out a clean handkerchief, wiping the remaining blood off his face. “I’m sorry you had to see this. But you shouldn’t have followed me.”
    When he took a step toward her, she took several back. “Don’t come any closer,” she warned, her voice shaky. He could hear her frantic heartbeat.
    “It’s very hard to make love from a distance like this.”
    Her eyes widened. “I won’t let you touch me.”
    “You will, and you will do it willingly.”
    “Never. I won’t let a monster like you touch me.”
    “Isabella, please think for a moment. I know you’re in shock, but try to remember the last few days. Was there ever a time when I hurt you?”
    He felt her hesitation and knew she couldn’t answer his question in the affirmative. But her lips remained sealed. Instead, she lifted her chin in defiance.
    “Are you afraid of me?”
    There was an almost unperceivable nod of her head.
    Raphael swallowed. The last thing he wanted was a wife who was afraid of him. He had to convince her that she had nothing to fear from him. The only way to achieve this was to make himself vulnerable to her. It was a risk he had to take. If he didn’t, he would lose her for good.
    “Fine, Isabella, you win.” He opened the buttons of his shirt.
    “What are you doing?” There was panic in her voice again.
    “I’m undressing.” He tossed his shirt to the floor, then stepped out of his boots.
    “I told you I won’t let you touch me.”
    His trousers dropped to the ground, and he stood naked in front of her. “I won’t touch you, but you’ll touch me.”
    She shook her head, pulling back further.
    Raphael walked to the bed and opened the drawer of his nightstand. He lifted his gun out and placed it on top of it. When he pulled out the leather restraints and turned back to her, she shrieked.
    “Oh God!”
    “Isabella. Those are not for you. They are for me. Inside the leather, there’s a thin lining of silver, a metal no vampire can break. I want you to tie me to the bed. I will be at your mercy, and you can assure yourself that I’m no danger to you.” He glanced back at the nightstand, and he noticed her follow his look. “The gun is loaded with silver bullets. They’ll kill a vampire. If you think I’m a danger to you, use it.”
    Isabella shook her head. “It’s a trick. As soon as I come close to you, you’ll attack me.”
    “No.” He went to the bed and laid down. “I will tie my ankles to the bed first, then you’ll do my hands. I trust you. Now I want you to trust me.”
    Raphael knew he was crazy proposing this, but he had to make her trust him. If she killed him, it really didn’t matter, because a life without Isabella made no sense anymore. If she couldn’t accept him like this, then it was better if she ended his life now and didn’t let him suffer the loss of her love.
    Continuously watching her, he tied first one ankle, then the second one to the foot of the bed, keeping enough length so he could still bend his legs. Then he held out his hand with the remaining two ties. “Take them. Bind them tightly.”
    There was hesitation in her steps as she approached. He saw her glance at the nightstand with the gun, then back at him.
    “Tie me up, Isabella.” He placed the leather straps onto the bed next to him and held his arms up against the headboard with the loops which had been fashioned as restraints.
    Another few steps and she stood next to the bed. He nodded as she reached for a strap. He could see her perspire, a thin lining of moisture building on her brow. He inhaled her scent and felt himself harden. Instinctively he dropped his eyes to his cock. Hard and thick, it rose.
    When he looked back at Isabella, he caught her staring at his erect shaft. Then she reached for his wrist and tied the first leather strap around