VET Vampire Romance 01 - Covet

his face and press a kiss to her palm, to tip his chin up and claim the lips that tempted him so much and ruin her.
    A smile curved those lips, pure and full of the feelings in her eyes. They were soft with understanding.
    “You were a little rough at times but I enjoyed it,” she said in an equally soft and alluring voice, capturing him in the spell of it for a moment before her words sank in and confused him.
    “No... I mean if my desire for you caused you pain.”
    Lilah fell quiet, the light leaving her beautiful eyes until they reflected his confusion. Her voice was a bare whisper when she finally spoke. “It should have then? It didn’t.”
    Javier slumped further, his hands on his knees, his mind racing. “Why?”
    Lilah shook her head. “I don’t know. I thought maybe someone had been lying to me about it... that it was something we were told to keep us in line and obedient.”
    “It’s the truth, Lilah,” he said and her cheeks coloured. Did she like the way he said her name? She blushed whenever he dared to use it. “I should have hurt you.”
    “Maybe it was because I wanted you too.”
    That surprised him more than the fact that she hadn’t experienced pain from his touch.
    “That’s another thing. You shouldn’t want me... the bond should prevent it.”
    Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
    They sat in silence for too long. Javier tried to think of something to say to chase away the clouds that were gathering in her eyes. He could feel her anger rising as she stared down at his towel. What could he say to make that hurt go away? He didn’t know what was upsetting her. Perhaps discovering that would be a good starting point.
    “What are you thinking?”
    Her gaze crept back up to his and then she turned her face away and stared at the floor off to his right, exposing the smooth column of her throat to his hungry eyes.
    “Javier... was it just the heat of the moment... or do you... do you feel something for me too?”
    Javier couldn’t breathe. She stole it away with the confirmation that he wasn’t the only one who harboured feelings beyond lust and desire for the person opposite him. He stared at her, hungry to touch her again and prove to her that what had happened hadn’t been because of the show. It was because he loved her. He had fought it so hard, had done all he could to hold back his need for her and his desire, but in the end his struggle had been in vain. There was no going back now.
    She closed her eyes when he touched her cheek and he sighed when she leaned into the caress, her skin warming his palm.
    “I have wanted you forever,” he whispered and her eyes slowly opened and shyly met his. He frowned. “Lilah... do you know where your master is?”
    The warmth in her eyes flickered and died, replaced by a cold abyss and darkness that surprised him. He hoped that her master was outside the range at which he could sense her. It was a slim chance but it was all that he had.
    “The bastard isn’t in London, that’s for sure,” she snapped and glared at him, her expression as black as midnight. Javier felt as though he was looking at a different person. Gone was his beautiful rose, replaced by a thorny thistle. Her loathing and anger flowed into him through his hand on her face. It obliterated the sweetness of her blood and turned the scent of it bitter. “My skin crawls whenever he’s nearby.”
    Javier frowned at her, shocked by her tone. Most owned humans were deferential to their masters, obedient and grateful for the beneficial effects of their blood. Lord Ashville’s blood in her body granted Lilah protection against most diseases and slowed her aging.
    He stroked her cheek and some of the darkness in her eyes lifted. “Do you hate your master, Lilah?”
    “I never asked to be his. He gave me no choice in the matter. Isn’t he supposed to give me a choice?” Lilah looked away, shame burning her cheeks, heating his palm. Tears lined her dark lashes, threatening to slip and fall onto his hand. His heart ached for her and her suffering. Lord Ashville had bonded with her against her will. It was unheard of in vampire society. A human had to enter willingly into the contract with their vampire master.
    Javier slid his hand around the back of her neck and drew her to him. She fell against his bare chest, her head in the curve of his neck with her forehead brushing his throat and her hands pressing into his pectorals. Bliss. He had never experienced such euphoria. He